Musicians' Company Evensong at St Paul's Cathedral
3rd October 2018With is origins dating back to 1500, the Musicians' Company, like the First Company of the Tobacco Pipe Makers', was awarded its Royal Charter by King James I. They pipped us to the post by sixteen years... For over five hundred years, the Company has regulated musicians in the City of London and, unsurprisingly, it has a close connection with Guildhall School of Music & Drama.
Every year, the Musicians' Company attends St Paul's Cathedral for an Evensong to which Masters, Wardens and Clerks from all of the other Livery Companies are invited. It is a highlight event in the calendar and an opportunity for the Livery Company community to come together with the regular congregation to sit under the Dome of Sir Christopher Wren's masterpiece.
The Evensong is beautiful in religious devotion, in sight and in sound. The Master of the Musicians' Company, Lady Brewer, read an important lesson about the importance of good works to support true faith and the choral work, the organ playing and musical accompaniments were sublime. There was also an Elegy for Strings composition by Edward Elgar played in memory of members of the Musicians' Company that have died in the last year. This haunting piece has been performed at the annual service since 1914.
At the end of the Service, Masters, Wardens and Clerks all processed out and descended to the Crypt where the Musicians' entertained us to refreshment at a Reception. A perfect end to a perfect evensong.