ensemble 1685

Neglected Liturgy Released on CD

A NEW compact disc recording of what was once our most popular church service has been released.

Matins, according to the 1662 Book of Common Prayer, has been produced by the Prayer Book Society which promotes the use of traditional liturgy. While the service is still used daily in many of our cathedrals, more widespread use in parish churches has been gradually replaced by the Sunday morning Eucharist.

“The recording will meet the needs of those deprived of this unjustly neglected service which is on the CD in its full and proper Prayer Book glory”, says producer Peter Bolton. “Trimmed of nothing, it follows the 1662 service without the irritating deviations so often experienced by congregations today.”

The service is fully choral and beautifully sung by ensemble 1685, the Coventry-based choir conducted by Richard Jeffcoat.

“Churches and choirs who no longer say or sing this beautiful service can get a taste of how it might be done”, adds Mr Bolton. “And the specially selected musical settings have been chosen to show how approachable they can be, for even a small choir of modest musical ability.”

The CD’s attractive cover shows the John Betjeman Memorial window at Farnborough Church, Oxfordshire. It is a parish church where the Prayer Book tradition is followed closely.

Full booklet notes outline each part of the service and explain the music – be it the chanting of psalms and canticles, singing of hymns and anthems or the organ voluntary.

The CD has been produced by Dinmore records and costs £9.95. It is available online from the Prayer Book Society’s trading arm – www.pbstrading.co.uk or by calling 0118 - 984 2582

It was recorded at the church of St Peter ad Vincula, Hampton Lucy, near Warwick. During the sessions one of the producers visited the nearby airfield and managed to get flights diverted away from the church.

While the choral portions in this CD are within the reach of many church choirs: the more ambitious wanting to restore Matins to their church might consider the mighty settings of the canticles, particularly the Te Deum, by Stanford, Vaughan Williams and Howells, hopes the Prayer Book Society. Nevertheless, the Society maintains that Morning Prayer is just as powerful when it is said by the priest and congregation.

Morning Prayer from the Book of Common Prayer is a wonderful tool of faithful observance, and it is hoped that this recording may encourage its wider use – boosted by the release of this fine CD.