How Long, O Lord?

A sequence of correspondence from The Times following a live broadcast of Choral Evensong in 1986

The Times, 29/4/86
From Mr David Selman

Sir. What is the optimum duration of an organ voluntary? On St George's Day, driving through the Chilterns, I listened to the choral evensong broadcast of Parry's "Fantasia and Fugue in E". It lasted from the Hughenden Valley, through High Wycombe and on to The Crown at Littlewick Green, a distance of some twelve miles! Was this a record, or simply mismanagement on the part of Lichfield Cathedral?

The Times, 2/5/86
From Mr Robin Kimber (St James Church, W2)

Sir. Mr Selman commenting upon the length of a voluntary broadcast from Lichfield Cathedral should thank his lucky stars. Liszt's "Ad Nos ad Salutarem Undam", in the repertoire of both Lichfield organists, clocks in at around 30 minutes. Is that long enough?

The Times, 5/5/86
From Mr John Stonestreet

Sir. Mr David Selman's extended endurance of an organ voluntary whilst transnavigating High Wycombe does touch upon the harmonious marriage of music and journeys which can be enjoyed by the judicious use of the car cassette player. I can, on a good day in light traffic, make the final "Amen" of Handel's Messiah last from Park Lane via Constitution Hill and Parliament Square to Westminster Bridge before silence descends as I disappear under Waterloo Station railway bridge.

The Times, 6/5/86
From Mr Peter King

Sir. The optimum duration of an organ voluntary would seem to be short enough for a conviction. It was I who played Parry's "Fantasia and Fugue in G" - not E, with great respect to Mr Selman - in Lichfield Cathedral on St George's Day: and it lasted precisely ten minutes five seconds. To cover a distance of twelve miles in that time requires an average speed of 71.4 mph.

The Times, 29/4/86
From Mr C W J Walls (Organ Scholar, Christ's College, Cambridge)

Sir. The length of an organ voluntary is determined according to its function. For a broadcast of choral evensong the optimum duration is from the grace to the news.

From Mr D P E Smart, Magdalene College Cambridge

Sir. The question which Mr David Selman poses in his letter has a distressingly simple answer: the duration of an organ voluntary is of practically no importance, as no one will be present for more than the first few bars.

The general custom in this country is for the congregation to leave almost as soon as the organist's fingers have touched the keys.

The Times, 14/5/86
From Mr Ian Curror (Organist, Royal Hospital Chelsea)

Sir. While sympathising with David Selman in having to endure 12 miles of organ music at one sitting, may I suggest he spare a kindly thought for the organist? About 10 years ago I found myself playing an organ voluntary for nine minutes during a live broadcast of choral evensong - the result of accidental mistiming of the psalms and canticles. Having been advised to prepare for a mere three minutes I was stranded playing on my organ bench, as unamused as Mr Selman in his driving seat.

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