SIR, — I read with interest —though tinged with a little sadness — your piece about the first airing of Carl Orff s Carmina Burana by St Albans Bach Choir in St Albans Abbey (Herts Advertiser, November 6). I sang for 25 years with the St Albans Bach Choir
SIR, - I read with interest -though tinged with a little sadness - your piece about the first airing of Carl Orff's Carmina Burana by St Albans Bach Choir in St Albans Abbey (Herts Advertiser, November 6).
I sang for 25 years with the St Albans Bach Choir, latterly as its vice-chairman. During this time I was closely involved with the former Dean, the late, and much-respected, Dr Peter Moore, both in Bach Choir matters and also as vice-chairman of St Albans High School of which he was chairman.
Peter was very clear that Carmina Burana "with its earthy lyrics" was not a suitable piece for performance in the Abbey and he would not permit it to be performed there.
How times have changed. To quote Cicero: "O tempora, o mores" - Oh what times, oh what customs.
Where, oh where are today's boundaries?
D.G. STRADLING,
The Warren, Harpenden.
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