St John's cathedral Salford

[organist]

We attended the Catenian centenary Mass in Salford Cathedral last week. Sad that we could hardly hear the readers and bishop from seats behind the altar. The choir was ably directed by Martin Barry but they seemed to be tucked away in a side aisle near the console of the Makin organ. We liked Martin's Spring Sanctus which the assembly picked up well and we wondered who wrote the attractive communion item "Eat this bread". Spoke to Anthony Hunt the organist afterwards but I can't say the Makin impressed me at all. It did seem odd that with a singing congregation (Catenians love to sing) we did not have anything to sing at the Preparation of the gifts. The postcommunion Rutter was pretty but it did rather prolong things.
On the Sunday the cathedral choir sang well at the Mass at Bridgewater Hall. There was excellent playing by a pianist (unnamed) and brass ensemble (unnamed). Martin directed and Anthony Hunt played the organ. The reproduction of the music in the booklet was dire and again we had nothing to sing at preparation of gifts. The Agnus Dei was not the one in the booklet and the anthem at communion was changed to Stainer. On the plus side the Bob Hurd, Michael Joncas and Barry items all went really well and I even enjoyed "I watch the sunrise" thanks to the pianist. It doesn't have a tune and very little theological content! The assembly clearly loved singing "Holy, holy, holy" Credo 3, Soul of my saviour and "Holy God, we praise thy name"! The organist of Dundee cathedral Kevin Veal was impressed! Sorry not to have seen you to speak to Martin - well done! And the psalm Daniel 3 by Felix Goebel-Komala was great -full of swing and joy!

[musicus]

I too was at the Sunday morning Mass. The choir and instrumentalists were ably directed by Martin (as was the assembly), and made a great impression. The booklet was a mess - most of the musical notation was rendered illegible due to typeface substitution problems - but I understand that Martin did not have sight of it until just before the Mass, despite having asked to see it in advance. The Canticle of Daniel setting was tremendous, and I mean to track it down. I did think that Credo III was poorly sung though, with many of the assembly 'fudging' the notes.

I, for one, really appreciated the fact that there was no congregational hymn at the Preparation.

Catenians are not generally noted for the quality of their liturgies (I speak from experience), so it was good that such an important occasion was the exception. I heard many appreciative comments afterwards: people do appreciate quality when they get it. Well done, all concerned!

[organist]

From the stage (I was crozier bearer) Credo 3 sounded pretty impressive but I agree it is clearly not as wellknown as it once was. I think like all such groups Catenians need to be encouraged to choose carefully - they need guidance and on these 2 occasions the choices were good. At the cathedral we started with "All people that on earth do dwell" and the organist's attempt to put in the Vaughan Williams fanfares before the last verse was an utter failure - why? No warning in the booklet and the congregation just sang! We ended with "Thine be the glory" which was an inspired choice. Gloria and Agnus Dei were to plainchant but the booklet did not make clear the parts meant for the choir alone. I gather the administrator of the cathedral had a lot to do with the planning and I was most impressed at how much he did to make sure everything flowed. Sorry not to have seen you Mr Bear!

[MaryR]

There was excellent playing by a pianist (unnamed)

I believe the pianist was Daniel Bath who was one of our leaders at Summer School last year. Daniel was such a hit that we've invited him back again this year. He'll be leading a workshop on Instruments in the Liturgy and giving a seminar entitled 'Entertaining Angels - inclusive liturgy for a multicultural society'. Daniel's biography will appear on the website shortly.

The Canticle of Daniel setting was tremendous

This was one of the pieces we used at Summer School last year - Canticle from the Flames (by Felix Goebel-Komala). It's published by GIA according to the copyright list from last year.

[SOP]

The pianist was Daniel Bath.

The applause at the end of both the Thursday evening and the Sunday morning Masses told us we were appreciated. I must say, I felt uncomfortable with the applause as we could not exactly take a bow. Martin did acknowledge it but it felt very strange. Don't get me wrong, I have done plenty of am-dram so applause is not unusual but after Mass?

Martin and Fr T did a very good job.

[VML]

Having been inspired by both Martin Barry and Daniel Bath at SSG Composers' Group meetings, I'd have been inwardly applauding.

[organist]

The pianist was Daniel Bath.

The applause at the end of both the Thursday evening and the Sunday morning Masses told us we were appreciated. I must say, I felt uncomfortable with the applause as we could not exactly take a bow. Martin did acknowledge it but it felt very strange. Don't get me wrong, I have done plenty of am-dram so applause is not unusual but after Mass?

Martin and Fr T did a very good job.

Applause can be really awkward after Mass. I well remember applause after Chrism Mass which was not deserved. At weddings I have known soloists to be applauded and the occasional clap for an organ voluntary can be nice!