Construction of the cathedral began in 1079, a year after William the Conqueror built the Tower of London.  The new cathedral was sited beside the old Saxon cathedral, and the tombs of the Saxon kings buried there were transferred to the new Cathedral.  The Saxon cathedral was subsequently demolished, leaving only the outline of its foundation, which can still be seen today.

When we visited, what impressed us first was the amazing length of the nave.  Entering through the east doors, the high altar seemed tiny in the far distance.  In fact, at 558’, Winchester’s nave is the longest of any Medieval church.  Even today, the cathedral is ranked 6th longest among all churches in the world. 

Among the notables buried in the Cathedral is Jane Austen, who died in Winchester in 1817.  We, like many other tourists, sought out the wonderful sculpture of the author, seated at her table, intently writing. The piece was sculpted by Robert Truscott in 2017.

For the text sung by the choir, I chose Tuba mirum from the Mass. (English translation The trumpet will send its wondrous sound) .  I scored the piece for SATB chorus, strings (10 violas, 10 cellos, 9 double basses) and brass (6 French horns, 2 trumpets). Because this musical setting is somber and muted, violas, rather than violins, are the centerpiece of the orchestration.  A version of Tuba Mirum also appears in my Requiem Mass (2021), 4th movement.

M.M. Ray and D. Ellicott Ray