I went to the Bath Abbey Dedication evensong, which was accompanied by a reception for the Friends of the Abbey, for which I have a one-year membership.
The alternative canticles Cantate Domino and Deus Misereatur were used, in settings by Annabel Rooney and Francis Grier respectively (both I believe written for the Abbey). I had never before sung in or been to an evensong where they were used. I am not sure why they are so uncommon – maybe it was thought that you already had psalmody so why write more psalm settings, and then when there weren’t settings the canticles weren’t sung.
The anthem was Stanford’s For Lo, I Raise Up, which I heard the Abbey choir sing also at the evensong for volunteers earlier this year. I’m assured the boys and men do know some other anthems. Reflecting on the words ‘They are terrible and dreadful, their judgment and their dignity proceed from themselves’ – could this mean the Friends of Bath Abbey? Surely not!
In the congregation you notice things that you might miss when singing a service. The images on the screens were fractionally late; this was most obvious in the readings.