College Portal

Evensong at Merton College Chapel

 More Recent News »

Services of worship at Merton College Oxford date back to the 13th Century and, on February 1st, this became the setting, both inspirational and atmospheric, for choral evensong sung by the Marlborough College Chapel Choir.

 

Reviewed by Philip Dukes (Artistic Director)
 

The Chapel Choir clearly absorbed the chapel's magical ambience as they delivered a fine performance of some extremely challenging repertoire:  Statham responses, two settings of the psalms, John Taverner’s extraordinary unaccompanied Magnificat & Nunc Dimitis and Boyce’s demanding anthem, ‘Oh where shall wisdom be found?’.

Director of Chapel Music, Simon Taranczuk, coaxed a vibrant and rich musical depth from this ensemble.

There were some excellent solo contributions from Flora Ward, Ellen Arkwright, Edmund Haxby, Emma Finlayson, James Bell and William Symington and Ian Crabbe hopped effortlessly  between the majestic full organ and the intricate chamber organ, which was effectively incorporated for the Boyce.