A fascinating note from Jeffrey Morse:
Some years back, Mary Berry released a brilliant recording of the “Unfinished Vespers of 1170” on the Herald label, contemporary witnesses relating that it was during the singing of Vespers (Christmas Octave Vespers) when Thomas of Canterbury (Beckett) was martyred. The monastic office is sung as it would have been on that day, when the chanting of the capitulum/little reading breaks off, about the time of the martyrdom, and then the great bell of Canterbury Cathedral is rung. Very dramatic- I’ve heard thiis presented on NPR at least two times. Also on the CD is Lauds, written perhaps by a contemporary of the events. It was diificult for Mary to find this office as even before the liturgy changed, Henry VIII excised by royal decree the celebration of the feast of St Thomas of Canterbury. If the pages are not just ripped out in service books of the time, then they are blotted out with red or black ink. Eventually Mary found a copy with just the thinnest line though the pages- all of the text was legible! Nearly a miracle. Wonderful liner notes as well.
The CD is called something else now I noticed, but available in this country from Archive. As tomorrow is Saint Thomas’ feast day, I thought perhaps you might find this interesting…. Here is the link for the Archive page of the CD. Here is the page for the recording from HERALD with a lovely sample that comes up automatically when the page comes up.
You appear out by a century. 1170, surely?
It should be the "Unfinished Vespers of 1170" I failed to proof read my original note! Apologies! (Jeffrey Morse)
Very interesting post. My students love this kind of trivia as do I, especially when it is about the life of the Church and events such as this.
By the way, this has nothing to do with this particular post, but as I was reading through it I thought that I would say a word of thanks to all you wonderful, creative, passionate church musicians who have enriched my life, breathed life into my tired soul, piqued my curiosity, and encouraged me in the long distance race. What a great time to live in with the treasure of so many generous souls in service of the Liturgy to keep it truly Divine.
Imagine what might have happened if this technology had been available a thousand years ago.
Many regards for a fruitful 2011 and more scintillating posts!!
It may be of passing interest that the choir of the Catholic parish of St. Thomas of Canterbury, Canterbury, is singing vespers in Canterbury Cathedral today (as I type – unfortunately, I can't be there), to celebrate the Feast of St. Thomas.
I had read Mary Berry's reviews in Gramaphone for years and it was not until her death and the printing of her obituary in that magazine that I realized what she had done to preserve and promote chant!