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Press Releases
Radio 3's Choral Evensong celebrates 80 years of live broadcasts
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91Èȱ¬ Radio 3's Choral Evensong, the longest-running outside broadcast in the history of the 91Èȱ¬, marks 80 years of live broadcasting this autumn.
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A special service takes place at Westminster Abbey on 11 October at 4.00pm, in which James O'Donnell directs the Choir of Westminster Abbey, performing music by Byrd, Purcell, Stanford, Walton and Patrick Gowers.
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This anniversary coincides with celebrations around the station's 60th birthday.
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The first live broadcast of Choral Evensong was on the National Programme on Thursday 7 October 1926. It remained a weekly fixture from Westminster Abbey for ten years and then went on to include St Paul's and York Minster.
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It moved to Radio 3 in 1981 and continues to be broadcast weekly on Wednesdays at 4.00pm.
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Its enduring popularity is reflected in the fact that it is one of the most frequently requested programmes via Listen Again on bbc.co.uk/radio3.
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Choral Evensong visits nearly 100 different cathedrals, abbeys, monasteries, churches and chapels all over the world.
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The anniversary season will include other special broadcasts including a Vespers from the Spanish monastery of Montserrat; an Evensong as part of the 175th anniversary celebrations of the University of Durham from Durham Cathedral with the 91Èȱ¬ Philharmonic; and a visit to the Three Choirs Festival in Gloucester celebrating Elgar's 150th birthday.
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A recent Jazz Evensong was broadcast from the University Church of St Mary the Virgin, Oxford, composed entirely by the renowned baritone, Roderick Williams.
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Forthcoming broadcasts will include vintage material recorded during the programme's history from the Fifties to the Eighties, including services from St Michael's, Tenbury Wells under Lucian Nethsingha; Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford with Simon Preston; and at Peterborough Cathedral with Stanley Vann.
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Roger Wright, Controller of Radio 3, said: "Choral Evensong has gained many loyal and dedicated listeners throughout its history and it continues to be a popular part of the Radio 3 schedule.
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"We celebrate its 80th birthday as part of special autumn programming marking the station's 60th birthday."
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Notes to Editors
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Choral Evensong - Wednesday 11 October 2006, 4.00pm
Introit: O God, thou art my God (Purcell)
Responses: Smith
Psalms: 72, 19 (Atkins, Turle)
First Lesson: Jeremiah 1 vv4-10
Canticles: Stanford in A
Second Lesson: Romans 10 vv11-18
Anthem: The Twelve (Walton)
Hymn: Christ is our Cornerstone (Harewood)
Organ Voluntary: Toccata (Francis Pott)
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Organist and Master of the Choristers: James O'Donnell
Sub-Organist: Robert Quinney Ìý
CF2
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