Cathedral Consort sings music by Organist Emeritus - 28/6/2010

Choral Evensong on Friday 25th June, sung by The Cathedral Consort, featured music written by Organist Emeritus, Dr John Bertalot.

As well as his familiar setting of the responses, the Consort also sang his beautiful Fauxbourdon setting of the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis, written in 1973 for Provost Jackson and the choir of Blackburn Cathedral.

The anthem, with a text written by William Temple - the founder of the Diocese of Blackburn - was a world premiere of "Archbishop's Blessing", composed in honour of Richard Tanner's 40th Birthday in March. This anthem was included, alongside seven other new compositions, in a collection of new anthems called "Sing unto the Lord a new song", compiled by James Davy with a foreward by Canon Andrew Hindley, which was presented to Richard on his birthday.

After Evensong, Dr Bertalot said: "Thank you for the honour you did me by having three of my compositions sung - so very beautifully – this evening. I was much moved. It was a wonderful experience to be there with you all".