Danesborough Chorus will make a welcome return to St Mary’s Church, Woburn on Saturday (April 2) for a performance of Leonard Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms, Lauridsen’s Lux Aeterna and Rheinberger’s Requiem in D minor.
“This concert showcases the beauty of varied choral styles in three smaller compositions by talented experts,” says Danesborough’s Musical Director Ian Smith.
“It will provide the perfect opportunity to shake off the Winter blues and embrace the colourful warmth of Spring! And we are thrilled to be joined by Alexander Olleson, BBC Young Chorister of the Year 2020, who will be singing the treble solo.”
Those familiar with Bernstein’s hit musical West Side Story will find many of the same elements in the Chichester Psalms – catchy rhythms, drama and beautiful melodic lines. The Chichester Psalms were commissioned by the Dean of Chichester Cathedral for the 1965 Music Festival held jointly with the choirs of Winchester and Salisbury Cathedrals. Sung in Hebrew, the work is in three movements, providing an exuberant setting of Psalms 100, 23 and 131.
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Recognised as an American Choral Master, Morten Lauridsen is noted for ‘his composition of radiant choral works combining musical beauty, power and spiritual depth that have thrilled audiences worldwide’.
Influenced by Gregorian chant, he has been described as the only American composer in history who can be called a mystic. Lux Aeterna (eternal light) was first performed in 1997, and comprises five movements based on sacred Latin texts.
Josef Rheinberger, a prolific but under-rated composer, was based in Munich for much of his life. Although he was renowned as an organist and teacher, he wrote many choral works including his Requiem in D minor which is full of rich textures and flowing melodies. Rheinberger famously said, “Music is above words; it begins where words no longer suffice.”
The choir will be accompanied by organist Tim Grant-Jones, harpist Holly Lowe and percussionist Chris Ridley.
For tickets call 01908 583460 or click here for more details.
