Yorkie wrote:How did Friday at Paul's go? We had a real stroke of luck at the Abbey and were seated DIRECTLY behind the choir; I could look over their shoulders and read the music (well theoretically - I can't actually read music!). It was great to hear them work at such close quarters.
Tom said overall he thought the Abbey were better singers but that Paul's had the better Evensong.
Quite nice, although I recall thinking that it wasn't as good as Wednesday. The introit sung on both days sort of haunts me though. I really loved it, but I can not find any mention of it anywhere. Not sure even who the composer is, apart from his last name "Boyle".
Lucky you, though I did get seated in the choir stalls for the sung eucharist on Sunday, it was a little further away. Byrd was great. Though, having now heard the full choir live, I can now definitely say that I personally do much prefer St Paul's.
So I'm quite content with my choice to go to St Paul's on Friday, but I have to say it was really nice to meet up on Wedneday. Also cheers (to Tom also) for the meal – I'm pretty sure that ended up being my only warm meal in London apart from some Pret takeaway.
As to the weekend, Advent Procession at St Paul's was pretty dissappointing – too many hymns and just overall unimpressed by the selection of music, also the "dramatic" procession of light was mostly the cathedral's lighting being lit one third at a time as the choir processed.
Highlights were Poulenc's Trimor et Tremor being sung from the West doors, and later an interesting contemporary piece by a composer called Matthew Martin that drawed from O Come O Come Emmanuel & at least one of the O antiphons. For the latter, the choir had processed to the two transepts with trebles on one side and the Vicars Choral on the other. The acoustic effect with the alternating, intertwining parts from two directions was pretty amazing.
On Sunday, the Advent Liturgy at WA more than made up for the previous night: the congregation were seated on the sides of the nave with candles, with the choir processing first to the main doors. I can't quite explain it, but the atmosphere was much nicer than at St Paul's. One of the anthems sung in the Nave was Lloyd's Drop Down Ye Heavens – full choir at the doors, soloists on the other side of the congregation at the choir screen. That was a nice surprise (apart from me nearly choking and finally having to give up and cough during the music.
) After several readings and anthems there, the entire congregation followed the choir during O Come Emmanuel, processing to seats in the transepts. Great selection of music there, including some RVW and Britten which was great.
Had to skip Westminster Cathedral on Saturday – took some effort just to get myself to St Paul's with that cold. I was not very happy to fly back home on Monday to find something of a first snow on the ground, but well, at least people here know how to insulate windows and heat up buildings.
. I hope everyone is doing well!
That includes verse services by Humfrey & Batten and Mass for 4 voices by Byrd, and of course all the music at the two advent services. So no doubt this trip will be worth all that time and money – even if I slightly worry how well this spontaneous 6-day holiday is going to combine with two end-of-term exams that I have two weeks later. 
