Century-spanning concert set for mediaeval abbey A special concert featuring music spanning nearly 300 years will be performed at Tewkesbury Abbey on Saturday 12 April 2014. Hosted by Birmingham Bach Choir, the choir’s conductor Paul Spicer describes the night, entitled Song Of The Lamb, as featuring “...an unusual and especially varied programme of seasonal rarities that includes baroque masterpieces together with some astoundingly beautiful modern works.” These include Italian composer Domenico Scarlattis Stabat Mater (for ten parts), written in 1757, and the most rarely performed of Johann Sebastian Bachs motets, Fürchte dich nicht (which translates as be not afraid, or fear not), from 1726. Alongside these 18th century pieces the choir will perform several newer works: Grammy Award winning American composer Eric Whitacres remarkable and emotional When David Heard; British composer Kenneth Leightons joyful anthem Let All The World In Every Corner Sing; and two 2008 motets by Scot James MacMillan, Lux Aeterna and The Song of the Lamb. The Choir has previously performed MacMillan’s Strathclyde Motets to great critical and public acclaim, while Paul Spicer had the honour of giving the composer his very first hearing of The Song Of The Lamb. “This will be a very special concert programme,” says Spicer, “...a treat for lovers of the purity of Baroque and contemporary music, performed in the inspiring mediaeval atmosphere of Tewkesbury Abbey.” The Choir last performed in the picturesque Tewkesbury Abbey, a venue famed for its medieval stained glass windows and large Norman tower, in 2011 with a programme that included works by MacMillan, Leighton and Bach. Tickets for the Song Of The Lamb cost £16 (£14), available from 0121 705 4418 or online via: birmingham.bachchoir LISTINGS Saturday 12 April 2014 Birmingham Bach Choir: Song Of The Lamb Tewkesbury Abbey, Church Street, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire GL20 5RZ 7.30pm £16 (£14) Performing: Scarlatti: Stabat Mater Bach: Fürchte dich nicht Whitacre: When David Heard Leighton: Let All The World In Every Corner Sing MacMillan: The Song Of The Lamb Lux Aeterna Conductor: Paul Spicer For further information and bookings: Web: birmingham.bachchoir Email: [email protected] Box Office: 0121 705 4418 0121 780 3333 01684 856148 FUTURE CONCERTS 2014 concerts include: Unfinished Remembering Saturday 13 September 2014 Symphony Hall, Birmingham World premier of Paul Spicer and poet Euan Taits choral symphony marking the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War in 1914; plus Dona Nobis Pacen by Vaughan Williams and the National Song A Shared Singing to be performed by a new military choir Tickets for all concerts available from 0121 705 4418; by email: [email protected]; book online via: birmingham.bachchoir ABOUT BIRMINGHAM BACH CHOIR The Birmingham Bach Choir has been contributing to the musical life of the West Midlands since 1919, making it one of the oldest musical groups in the area. Although they perform music spanning over 300 years, their main focus is the music of JS Bach and the Baroque period. 2013/2014 marks Birmingham Bach Choirs’ 95th season and includes the World Premiere of a brand new choral symphony by Spicer and Tait to mark the outbreak of The Great War entitled Unfinished Remembering – a key event in the UK-wide First World War Centenary programme. For more information, see: birmingham.bachchoir
Posted on: Wed, 12 Mar 2014 10:27:37 +0000
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