All Saints

Yesterday we went to High Mass at All Saints Church, Margaret Street; an Anglican Church with a tradition of elaborate, High Anglican worship. A friend sings in the church choir and we had been meaning to go for ages, but usually I sing at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, Cadogan Street, Chelsea.

The service was long (nearly 2 hours) and elaborate, partly because it was the culmination of the celebrations for their annual patronal festival (Tuesday 1st November was the feast of All Saints). The choir sang Bruckner's Mass in E minor, it was rather strange to hear it with organ accompaniment rather than wind instruments, but it worked pretty well and the choir was in good form. It is quite a taxing piece, especially when singing with just 12 singers. The offertory motet was Harris's Faire is the Heaven; simply one of my favourite pieces and beautifully sung.

I stumbled somewhat trying to sing the Credo and Pater Noster to the plainchant with which I am familiar, but this time with English words rather than Latin. The sermon, by the Archdeacon of Durham, was excellent.