Advent Live Volume 3
The Choir of St John’s College, Cambridge / Andrew Nethsingha & George Herbert (2021)
James Anderson-Besant, Joseph Wicks, George Herbert (organ)
Oliver Wass (harp)
rec. live, 2020-22, Chapel of St John’s College, Cambridge, UK
Texts included
Signum Classics SIGCD768 [56]
There can’t be many more recordings left ‘in the can’ on which Andrew Nethsingha conducts the Choir of St John’s College, Cambridge, though I believe there may be one more to come. Actually. another disc, entitled ‘A New Millennium’ was released just recently; I’ll be reviewing that shortly but the seasonal nature of this Advent release made me think it ought to ‘jump the queue’. We’ve already had two excellent discs recorded at the annual Advent Carol Service in St John’s. ‘Advent Live’ included pieces recorded between 2014 and 2017 (review); ‘Advent Live Vol 2’ included music recorded in 2008, 2018 and 2019 (review). This final instalment covers the services held in 2020, 2021 and 2022, the latter taking place just a matter of days before Andrew Nethsingha left the college prior to taking charge of the music at Westminster Abbey.
As Andew Nethsingha points out in the booklet, two of these three Advent services were impacted by Covid. When the 2020 service took place, the UK was in lockdown. This meant that no congregation could be present and, furthermore, all the lower voice singers had to be socially distanced from each other. In 2021, several choristers picked up the Covid virus, meaning that only ten trebles were on duty when the service took place. Worse still, two days before the service Nethsingha himself contracted the virus and, at very short notice, the Senior Organ Scholar, George Herbert, who had been expecting to play for the service found himself thrust into the spotlight, directing the choir. I remember hearing the broadcast on Radio 3 and noting that Herbert acquitted himself with aplomb; the several items from that service which are included here prove that. The 2022 service was notable not just for being Nethsingha’s last but also because for the first time the choir included some female sopranos and altos.
One of the most pleasing features of the selection of music on this disc is the number of St John’s connections which are woven into the programme. There are a couple of pieces which were composed specifically for the St John’s choir. In addition, there’s recognition of some of Andrew Nethsingha’s illustrious predecessors. Two of the hymns have descants by Christopher Robinson, who was Director of Music between 1991 and 2003. The third hymn descant is by David Hill, who was Director of Music from 2003 until Andrew Nethsingha’s arrival in 2007. And then there’s George Guest (1924-2002), who led the music at the College for an astonishing 40 years (1951-1991). Guest was very proud of his Welsh roots and often reflected them in the music he selected. In 1988 George Guest conducted the choir on a disc of Welsh choral music. John Raymond Williams’ Pan fo’r Stormydd Garwa’n Curo (When the fierce storms rage) was among the items on that disc and it’s a nice touch that a recent performance is included here. In addition, Philip Ledger’s Advent Calendar was written in memory of Guest; appropriately, Ledger selected lines by another Welshman, Archbishop Rowan Williams, for his text.
There are two pieces here which were written for the St John’s Advent Carol Service. Cheryl Frances-Hoad’s Lo! The Desert-Depths are Stirr’d takes a text by Charles Coffin (1676-1749) which joyfully anticipates the birth of Christ. The music is suitably invigorating – compound time adds rhythmic spice – and the most ear-catching aspect of all is the use of a harp to accompany the choir. In particular, the instrument sounds a number of very low notes with a great ‘twang’, adding an almost primitive timbre to the piece. Equally effective is Helen Grime’s Telling. Apparently, this was the first piece for unaccompanied choir which Grime had composed. One would not know; the writing is assured and the piece is impressive.
I’ve already alluded to the pieces by John Raymond Williams and Philip Ledger, both of which I enjoyed very much. There’s a second piece by Philip Ledger near the end of the programme. His setting of Adam Lay Ybounden is thoughtful and rather subdued; it’s also very effective. There are two settings of There is No Rose, and they couldn’t be more different. I love Francis Pott’s approach to the text. The piece has a lovely melody which Pott harmonises and decorates gorgeously. The result is a fine, tranquil setting. In his version, Simon Preston mixes slow, richly harmonised passages and episodes of lively dancing music. I hadn’t heard either piece before but I’m glad that I’ve become acquainted with them.
One piece calls for particular comment in that its composer was a mere twelve years old when it was first performed at the 2020 Advent service. Harry L’Estrange was at that time a chorister in the St John’s choir. His a cappella piece O Virgo Virginum strikes me as a very accomplished setting. The music is beautiful and sounds to be very well written for choir. Perhaps we should not be too surprised at such a precocious talent; both of Harry L’Estrange’s parents are composers and both are steeped in choral music. Two much more senior composers are featured in the programme. One star, at last by Sir Peter Maxwell Davies has a spare, austere beauty to it. The programme ends with A Gallery Carol by John Gardner. This vigorous, jazzy piece for choir and organ brings the disc to an exuberant conclusion.
I’m glad that some of the plainchant settings of the ‘Great O’ Advent antiphons are included; these antiphons punctuate the liturgy at St John’s on Advent Sunday, so it’s good to be reminded of the part that the antiphons play. I’m also very pleased that space has been found for three Chorale Preludes by Bach. All were played by George Herbert in 2022 and he does them very well.
Throughout this varied and very enjoyable programme the singing of the St John’s choir is consistently excellent, showing what a great job Andrew Nethsingha did in his years at St John’s. The engineering was done by Simon Eadon and Dave Rowell. They have recorded the choir – and the organ – very successfully; one would not know that Covid constraints had played any part. As is always the case with releases from St John’s, the standard of documentation is excellent. There are very interesting essays by Dr Martin Ennis and by the College Chaplain, Rev Andrew Hammond, while Andrew Nethsingha contributes a short, stylish note detailing the background to the three services in question.
As I write this review in late November, we are a matter of days away from Advent Sunday 2023 when St John’s new Director of Music, Christopher Gray, will direct the service for the first time. I’m looking forward to hearing the broadcast on BBC Radio 3 and to hearing the choir under his leadership. In the meantime, this splendid disc offers one last reminder of the achievements of Andrew Nethsingha at the college.
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Contents
Cheryl Frances-Hoad (b 1980) – Lo! The Desert-Depths are Stirr’d (2020)
Sir Philip Ledger (1937-2012) – Advent Calendar (2002)
Helen Grime (b 1981) – Telling (2021)
Francis Pott (b 1957) – There is No Rose (2012)
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) – Chorale Prelude BWV601 ‘Herr Christ, der ein’ge Gottessohn’
John Raymond Williams (1928-2018) – Pan fo’r Stormydd Garwa’n Curo
Hymn – O Come, O Come, Emmanuel! (descant, David Hill (b 1957))
Anon – Nowell, Nowell. Owt of Your Slepe
Judith Weir (b 1954) – Drop down, ye heavens, from above (1984)
Johann Sebastian Bach – Chorale Prelude BWV659 ‘Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland’
Simon Preston (1938-2022) -There is No Rose (1971)
Hymn – Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus (arr. Sir John Stainer (1840-1901), descant, Christopher Robinson (b 1936))
Harry L’Estrange (b 2008) – O Virgo Virginum (2020)
Sir Peter Maxwell Davies (1934-2016) – One star, at last (1984)
trad.: Advent Antiphon – O Dayspring; O King of the Nations
Johann Sebastian Bach – Chorale Prelude BWV645 ‘Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme’
Peter Warlock (1894-1930) – Adam lay ybounden (1923)
Johann Sebastian Bach – Chorale Prelude BWV600 ‘Gott, durch deine Guete’
Hymn – On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry (‘Winchester New’, descant Christopher Robinson)
trad.: Advent Antiphon – O Emmanuel
Sir Philip Ledger – Adam Lay Ybounden (1980)
John Gardner (1917-2011) – A Gallery Carol, Op. 109, No 4. (1970)
