Evensong at St George's Chapel, Windsor

The Chamber Choir of Headington Rye from Oxford delivered a beautifully balanced and expressive programme, supported sensitively throughout by Gabs on the organ. From the opening Organ Voluntary, Herbert Sumsion’s Choral Prelude on “Down Ampney”, the chapel’s renowned acoustics were immediately apparent, allowing every phrase to resonate with warmth and clarity.

The Responses by W. Smith were sung with precision and poise, while Psalm 121, set by H. Walford-Davies, brought moments of both tenderness and grandeur. One of the highlights of the evening was Sumsion’s Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis in G, which the choir performed with confidence and lyrical sensitivity, capturing both the reflective and celebratory character of the canticles.

The anthem, Pitoni’s Cantate Domino, provided a striking contrast, its joyful energy filling the chapel beautifully. The evening concluded with Stainer’s Fugue from Fantasia in C, an impressive and uplifting voluntary that showcased both the splendour of the organ and the majestic acoustic of the chapel itself.

Overall, the service offered far more than a concert performance; it was a moving act of worship and reflection in an exceptional royal setting. The combination of fine choral singing, thoughtful programming, and the timeless beauty of St George’s Chapel made for a truly special occasion.