On Evensong at Portsmouth Cathedral, and Leighton's Preces and Responses

I was recently in Portsmouth on route down to France and, having some time to spare, went to have a look around the cathedral. Fortunately for me, evensong was just beginning, and so I found myself a seat in the aisle to listen.

The quire of Portsmouth Cathedral: public domain (from wikimedia commons)

The choir performed exceptionally: a particular musical highlight was the Leighton Preces and Responses. The Preces (found towards the beginning of evensong) and Responses (found towards the end) are a difficult setting to perform, but were executed effortlessly.

Leighton’s setting of these texts (written in 1964) are very much in his characteristic style of tonality with shifting modal harmonies. A favourite moment from this setting is the final "amen", where a lyrical treble line gradually ascends to a minor chord with added seventh and eleventh.

Kenneth Leighton's Preces and responses

It’s easy to forget that these services occur daily right across the UK, featuring some of the best choral music written. If you ever happen to be passing by, it’s very much worth venturing in to hear it.

PWR 2025