Choral Evensong: King's College Choir, Cambridge; Stephen Cleobury

This is a glorious performance of Evensong. While I can't claim that the music sung on this disc would be my first choice for an Evensong at King's, the choir sings with its usual precision and poise. The introit (the Prayer of King Henry VI by Henry G. Ley) is superb, as is the chanting of the psalm.

No recording can ever do the "real thing" (Evensong in King's College Chapel) justice, but this comes pretty close.


Ouch--Bleeding Ears   May 14, 2003
David C. Grondz (Kalamazoo, MI United States)
5 out of 15 found this review helpful

First of all, I would like to make it very clear that I have a great respect for the English choral tradition; both for the composers and for the performers. I know first-hand the technical skills necessary to sing the music of the repoitoire; but I humbly have to find fault with this rendition of Evensong.
Part of the beauty of this style of recording is precisely that it is done "live", but as is admitted in the programme notes, some things were redone without the congregation on a different day. While this isn't blatantly obvious to the casual listener, I find it difficult because it compormises the integrity of the service and all of the little quirks that sometimes happen such as a cough or a sneeze. These kinds of things are a subtle reminder that music (especially in the service of God) is a production of human creativity. This disc is entitled "Choral Evensong from King's College" and thus isn't properly a concert, but worship; to "re-do" tracks seems inappropriate and perhaps even vain...so much for the "musical offering".
I was sadly disappopinted that the upper voices seemed shrill, especially in the verse-response sections at the beginning and the end of the service. At first I thought that the problem lay in my stereo, so I tried to adjust several times, all without satisfactory results. All that I received from this was a blistering headache caused by the boy-sopranos. The secret, my little choristers, isn't to "scream" the high notes, the secret is in proper breath support. Not having ever been to Cambridge, I would like to think that the acoustics of the chapel caused this inbalance in the choir; but perhaps that's too kind.
Finally to add injury to insult, a woman read the Gospel account of the Journey to Emmaus. This simply isn't my style.
A decent attempt overall; but in my opinion, not quite "English" enough for Evensong...


"The ethereal ebb and flow of King's"   September 21, 2000
simon blake (NEW YORK, NY United States)
8 out of 8 found this review helpful

As someone who has spent many a wonderful occasion attending evensong inside King's College Chapel in Cambridge I highly recommend this glorious CD. King's College Choir under Stephen Cleobury our quite simply one of the finest choral ensembles singing today. The ambience of King's is perfectly captured here from the opening introit by Lay "A prayer for King Henry VI" to the glorious Anthem by Parry "Lord let me know mine end". I wholeheartedly recommend this beautiful disc.


"Epitome of Excellent English Choral Music"   September 15, 2000
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

This CD in my opinion is excellent. It is usual in a live recording that the sound quality is not good, but in this CD, there is an exception. This was my only reserve when buying the CD, however my fears were unecessary. I very much recommend this CD to anyone who enjoys choral music and especially the music of the English Church.