AS THE WORLD STANDS ON THE EDGE OF NUCLEAR DISASTER CHORAL WORKS SPANNING 500 YEARS PERFORMED BY THE BACH CHOIR MAKES FOR A NIGHT OF HOPE AT WESTMINSTER CATHEDRAL
28TH SEPTEMBER 2017
LUX AETERNA
Rachmaninov: Vespers (Extracts)
Tallis: O Nata Lux
Byrd: Ave Verum Corpus
Part: Nunc Dimittis
MacMillan: Blow the trumpet in the new moon
Tippett: Spirituals from ‘A Child of our Time’
Howells: Requiem (Extracts)
Plus selected organ works
WESTMINSTER CATHEDRAL, LONDON
Conductor – David Hill
Organ – Philip Scriven
Music has always been a source of hope and light in troubled times. In this programme of works for choir and organ, we take you on a journey spanning nearly 500 years, from Renaissance Masters Tallis and Byrd to present day composers Arvo Pärt and James MacMillan, including movements from Rachmaninov’s haunting Vespers (All-night vigil) and Howells’ Requiem.
The Bach Choir is delighted to return to Westminster Cathedral for this celebration of a cappella music conducted by David Hill, and with Philip Scriven at the organ.
David Hill, Musical Director of the Bach Choir, says: “At times like these all of us ask ourselves ‘what can I do?’ My answer to that is always to turn to the greatest music that man has produced, to remind ourselves of the best that we are capable of, to see, hear and feel our Guardian Angels at work. It is surprising what can be achieved when people come together to broadcast a message of hope and love. Join us at Westminster Cathedral to send a message to the world.”
Almost immediately after the concert the choir is taking its message of peace to six cites in the Netherlands, flying the British flag abroad. Cities on the tour are: Rotterdam, Nijmegen, Gronigen, Eindhoven, Heerlen and Tilberg.
The Dutch concert tour will feature the second ever performance of the James MacMillan piece that the Bach Choir commissioned as part of its plan to continue British choral tradition in this country by commissioning new choral works, the choir commissioned a short five minute a Capella concert opener, which Music Director, David Hill, requested as a choral fanfare. James Macmillan picked text from Psalm 81, which includes the title ‘Blow the Trumpet in the New Moon’. The World Premiere performed at the Bach Choir concert on 29th June 2017 at the Royal Festival Hall.
