CONDUCTOR: MALCOLM GOLDRING (UK)

MUSIC AND COMPOSERS:

• THOMAS WEELKES (1576-1623) - Hosanna to the Son of David-
• HENRY PURCELL (1659-1695) - Remember not, Lord, our Offences
• HUBERT PARRY (1848-1918) - Never, Weather-Beaten Sail (from 'Songs of Farewell')
• CHARLES STANFORD (1852-1924):
  Justorum animae (four parts, some divisi)
• CHARLES STANFORD (1852-1924): Coelos ascendit hodie [double choir]
• CHARLES STANFORD (1852-1924): Beati quorum via [divisi in some voices]
• JOHN RUTTER (born 1945) - A Gaelic Blessing
• JAMES MACMILLAN (born 1959)-Christus Vincit [divisi in all voices]

It can be argued that English choral music had two ‘golden ages’ and we have them represented in this atelier!

The first includes music by the 16th/17th century composers Thomas Weelkes and Henry Purcell – both are rich and sonorous, setting their sacred texts with sensitivity and inspiration. We then jump two centuries and meet their successors – Hubert Parry and Charles Stanford – and music that takes over where Weelkes and Purcell finished. Their focus is the glory of the human voice and the exquisite alignment of words and music. From the present time we visit the music of John Rutter (well known to choirs throughout the world) and the young Scottish composer, James Macmillan: here we have worthy extensions of Weelkes, Purcell, Parry and Stanford!

This is a chance to experience gold! Enjoy the richness of the English choral heritage and be uplifted!!!

MALCOLM GOLDRING (UK)