@Anatole, Yes, I am being much too sweeping over the Brahms. "How lovely is.." is beautiful I agree. I used to sing it at school and remember it well. There are other bits in the Requiem too which I like but I just find the whole thing a bit of a fuss about nothing.

Arrogantly, I rather liked the fact that I was still bored by it after all these years! Boredom, I thought, is one of the privileges of childhood.It was rather nice to have it back again!

Faure made a better of job of an Atheist writing church music I think – and so did Delius. I suppose I wonder why Brahms was writing it at all..a bit like Bach wasting his talents on the wonderful Church Cantatas.

I move on to the lovely String Serenades soon and then Brahms wakes up for me.

Cheers gentlemen! Thanks again for the birthday greeting.

But do me one favor and just listen to How Lovely Is Thy Dwelling Place, not the whole Brahms Requiem. Nothing morbid there. In fact one of the most glorious choral moments I know.

Happy Birthday again!