Allegri did the miserere [ http://www.youtube.com/watchv=x71jgMx0Mxc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgZ0K8vCdbo&feature=related (part 2) ] which I think remains one of the most beautiful choral works ever written, I know he isn't responsible for the top C, and is creditable to some testicular-ly challenged boy many hundreds of years ago, but WOW.
Handel did Messiah, I won't post the whole thing, just a few favourite bits
But who may abide, as sung by Emma Kirkby
Comfort ye my people &evry valley as sung by Christopher Hogward
and the obligatory, I know that my redeemer liveth, which any half decent sop knows better than the back of their hand, here done by Lynne Dawson (who I don't like quite as much as Kirkby, but a great voice all the same)
Anyway, when choral music of that calibre exists, WHY is there a place for Goodall and Rutter in English cathedral tradition? WHY do we need look at the world ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3uoYunNDC4 ) and the godforsaken Vicar of Dibley theme tune, with that, quite frankly vomit worthy final sop solo "forever" ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OliMkE1rib8 ) especially when Brother James Air exists, which is so infinately superior.
As much as I love Monteverdi, Handel and Allegri, I'm not a ancient music snob! C. Wesley wrote some amazing choral music, take Blessed be the God and Father for example, with that amazing harmony between the soloist and the rest of the trebles, and dare I say it; Lead me Lord which i think a friend of mine hit the nail on the head by describing it as "simple, but effective." There are many modern composers who are "rateable" take Grayson Ives, Listen Sweet Dove, which was written for whitsun is beautiful, and totally lacks the unnecessary cheesyness of Rutter and Goodall.
When a wealth of brilliant choral works are afforded to us, from Mendelssohn's stunning Hear my Prayer/Oh for the wings to Monteverdi's Beatus Vir and Rhienburger's Abendleid and even Bach doing "cheese" well with Jesu, Joy of man's desiring (with THAT organ/piano part that will never ever get out of your head...), why is Rutter given so much praise, it's shocking, and frankly hideous.
I was once told (having just slagged off Rutter) that anyone who doesn't like Rutter was "musically, culturally and intellectually insecure" I beg to argue the complete opposite.
thank you very much.
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