I believe he missed some concerts prior to the beginning of the pandemic, so maybe it wasn't Covid. I don't think we should press the issue. If he had wanted that information publicized, we'd probably already know. The Libera organization has been very good at protecting the privacy of its younger members, perhaps that privilege should be extended to its founder.
So, apparently they are having some kind of memorial service for Robert Prizeman today. I'm guessing it's at the same time when they would have choral evensong. I wasn't expecting this to be such a low key, unpublicized event. I don't even see it mentioned on St. Philip's social media or website. I'm not upset about it, but I'm somewhat surprised.
I'm not at all surprised. If it was publicized in any way then Libera fans would definitely have showed up and it's clear from the way they have handled the death so far that they want it to remain a private thing for friends and family. He surely had a life outside of Libera and I can understand they wanted it as an event to reflect on his life as a whole, rather than have it turn into a Libera fest...
Celt wrote: ↑<span title="Mon May 02, 2022 9:38 am">2 years ago</span>
I'm not at all surprised. If it was publicized in any way then Libera fans would definitely have showed up and it's clear from the way they have handled the death so far that they want it to remain a private thing for friends and family. He surely had a life outside of Libera and I can understand they wanted it as an event to reflect on his life as a whole, rather than have it turn into a Libera fest...
We can, as a fan group, be rather obsessive.
We can be I was fortunate to attend and it was very much a 'normal' evensong - apart from the choir was around 60 former and current members of the St Philip's choir and they sang beautifully. The pieces were mainly Herbert Howells and the readings were done by some of the younger choristers. Some of Robert's family attended the service which must have been very moving for them to experience, like me, a little of the impact that Robert's musical talent and dedication had on so many lives. Farther Younis Francis returned to give the address which was dedicated to Robert and he told us that RP once did a radio programme about Herbert Howell who was RP's favourite composer and his Collegium Regale in Bb was the Mag and Nunc of the service.
The radio broadcast is available on Youtube:
If I’ve got owt to say I says it, and if I’ve got owt to ask I asks it.
Well, it's good to hear that it was such a moving service. I suppose when I saw the announcement about some memorial service many months ago, my imagination ran wild about what that might involve. Anyways, when I saw it mentioned that Robert loved the music of Herbert Howells, it made me think about how we all have our own particular musical tastes. Even though I'm a Libera fan and a fan of Robert's music, I've never been crazy about Howells. However, there are a couple pieces of Howells that I like, such as what he composed after the death of his son.
bachmahlerfan wrote: ↑<span title="Mon May 02, 2022 4:23 pm">2 years ago</span>
Well, it's good to hear that it was such a moving service. I suppose when I saw the announcement about some memorial service many months ago, my imagination ran wild about what that might involve. Anyways, when I saw it mentioned that Robert loved the music of Herbert Howells, it made me think about how we all have our own particular musical tastes. Even though I'm a Libera fan and a fan of Robert's music, I've never been crazy about Howells. However, there are a couple pieces of Howells that I like, such as what he composed after the death of his son.
I should correct myself by saying that while the "Hymnus Paradisi" was composed in memory of his son, his "Requiem" was actually written shortly before the death of his son. "Hymnus Paradisi" borrows some musical material from his "Requiem". Anyways, the "Requiem" is my favorite Howells composition, but it's somewhat of a departure from the usual choral music by Howells.
I hope that they will sing Libera at their Ely concert in two weeks. After Robert's memorial services have taken place very shortly before, that would be a wonderful sign that Robert remains alive in Libera and Libera will stay Libera.
"But in the dark and cold of things there always, always something sings"
filiarheni wrote: ↑<span title="Sat May 07, 2022 3:41 pm">2 years ago</span>
I hope that they will sing Libera at their Ely concert in two weeks. After Robert's memorial services have taken place very shortly before, that would be a wonderful sign that Robert remains alive in Libera and Libera will stay Libera.
Well, it was sung at their service in memory of RP so there has to be a very good chance that it will be. My money is on it being the Encore.
If I’ve got owt to say I says it, and if I’ve got owt to ask I asks it.
Yorkie wrote: ↑<span title="Sun May 08, 2022 1:41 pm">2 years ago</span>
filiarheni wrote: ↑<span title="Sat May 07, 2022 3:41 pm">2 years ago</span>
I hope that they will sing Libera at their Ely concert in two weeks. After Robert's memorial services have taken place very shortly before, that would be a wonderful sign that Robert remains alive in Libera and Libera will stay Libera.
Well, it was sung at their service in memory of RP so there has to be a very good chance that it will be. My money is on it being the Encore.
Why the encore? It has usually been featured as part of the setlist proper if I recall. The only song which they sing more often is probably "Sanctus".
Surpinto wrote: ↑<span title="Sun May 08, 2022 6:05 pm">2 years ago</span>
Yorkie wrote: ↑<span title="Sun May 08, 2022 1:41 pm">2 years ago</span>
Well, it was sung at their service in memory of RP so there has to be a very good chance that it will be. My money is on it being the Encore.
Why the encore? It has usually been featured as part of the setlist proper if I recall. The only song which they sing more often is probably "Sanctus".
I've heard it as the encore on a good few occasions - at least I think I have
If I’ve got owt to say I says it, and if I’ve got owt to ask I asks it.
..
