Location: Home > News > The spacious firmament
The spacious firmament
Published: on 29th May 2008 by Michael Wiles in Minster News
"The Spacious Firmament", a new anthem by Philip Moore, Master of the Music at the Minster, and commissioned by the Friends of Cathedral Music, was performed for the first time at the FCM Gathering in York on May 3rd. The commission was made to mark the retirement of Mr Moore this coming July after 25 years at the Minster. It was also made in recognition of his great contribution to church music over the past fifty years and to say thank you for his support for the work of The Friends of Cathedral Music.
The anthem was received with great enthusiasm by the 70 FCM members who were present at evensong, and by members of the Minster congregation and choir members. It is a piece which will “enrich the English choral tradition enormously,” said Mr Ian Little, Director of Music at Ampleforth College. Ampleforth is a corporate member of the FCM and sixty FCM members had met there earlier in the day to experience the college’s excellent music.
Although the commission was organised by the York area of the FCM, donations have been received from people nationwide as well as from members of the Minster Community and the Minster Stewards. The presentation was made by Michael Wiles, the FCM’s local representative. Also present was Prof: Peter Toyne, Chairman of the FCM.