Sensory Overload - Herbert Poetry and Tallis Scholars

Friday was a heavy rehearsal day, with sectionals again in the afternoon.  But that didn't stop us from making a pilgrimage to George Herbert's parish of St. Bemerton!  Rick, Ed, and I were joined by John Gatta, the Dean at Sewanee and fellow tour chorister, as well as Max, one of the student choristers.

As we arrived, we were greeted immediately by Canon Judith Rees, one of the first women ordained to the priesthood in England in 1994, and a Herbert scholar.  Judith had recently delivered a lecture in NC and John has taught classes on Herbert - it was a treat to hear John and Judith "talk shop," and after exploring the church, John suggested we read some Herbert poetry.  Of course he had a book of poems on hand!  Judith read a beautiful poem called Prayer, and John read Love III, a poem, which John later told us, had great influence on Simone Weil.  And since we're all singers, we also sang together Vaughan Williams' setting of The Call.

What a special hour spent together!  We thanked Judith for her time, and invited her to visit us at the General Theological Seminary.  Who knows. . . maybe we can coordinate a time when both Judith and John could come to NYC and co-lecture on Herbert.

I forgot to take my camera with me on this little pilgrimage, but Max and John promised to email some photos they took so that I can post them here later.

After Friday evensong, we grabbed a quick bite and returned to the cathedral for the Tallis Scholars concert, which was part of the Salisbury International Arts Festival.  We landed tickets at the last minute on the last row, but in a setting like Salisbury Cathedral, no seat is a bad seat!  The entire program consisted of settings of the Magnificat and Miserere mei (Psalm 51), including the Allegri.  But it was the Paert setting that was most transporting for me.  

My senses were on overload - beholding the sights of Salisbury Cathedral in the fading lights of sunset, then to dusk, and to evening, all the while listening to the heavenly sounds of the Tallis Scholars - what an evening!