Songs of Farewell: Gabriel Fauré, John Ireland, Hubert Parry at Bath Abbey, Bath on Saturday 4th November 2023

Please note: This concert is in the past and has already taken place.

Songs of Farewell

Gabriel Fauré, John Ireland, Hubert Parry

Add to my Calendar 04-11-2023 19:30 04-11-2023 21:30 36 Songs of Farewell Bath Bach Choir’s autumn concert for remembrance season reflects the sorrow of loss and the uplifting hope of peace in eternal rest. The music will be by turns tenderly intimate and delicate, as befits the solemnity of the season, and thrillingly bombastic, ideally matched to the exciting space of Bath Abbey. Whilst the three composers whose works will be heard at this concert search for peace, they explore a variety of inspirational poetry and religious texts as well as fresh, often innovative, musical styles. During the course of the programme, the choir will sing contemplative motets by two of the great English composers of the early twentieth century, Hubert Parry and John Ireland. With World War I on the horizon as these pieces had their premieres, both men seek to offer comfort and consolation through their choral compositions. The choir will show off its musical dexterity, singing a cappella in the first half of the evening as the Musical Director once again presents the Parry work which sealed his decision to take up choral conducting, which will be interspersed with organ pieces and songs reflecting and exploring the concert’s theme.The second half of the concert will consist of Fauré’s Requiem, his ever-popular setting of the Catholic Mass, marking in advance the 100th anniversary of the French composer’s death in 1924. Much of its popularity can be ascribed to its many beautiful melodies; it is unusually gentle and moving. There is contrast between darkness and light but as the movements succeed each other, the audience feels Fauré’s optimistic and positive words play out: “… it is thus that I see death: as a happy deliverance, an aspiration towards happiness above, rather than as a painful experience.” The finale will be John Ireland’s Greater Love, bringing to a close a programme of life-altering tableaux of music.For this poignant concert, Bath Bach Choir is honoured to be joined once again by Frederick Long, bass, who hails from our local area and is much acclaimed at home and abroad. He will perform some captivating solo songs from his repertoire as well as taking the solo bass part in the Fauré Requiem. The treble lines will be sung by an outstanding chorister from Bath Abbey. It will be a special treat to once again hear the glorious Klais organ in the Abbey played by Marcus Sealy who was for so long the assistant organist of the Abbey and has been the choir’s much-loved accompanist for more than 40 years.  Bath Abbey, Bath DD/MM/YYYY

Details

Bath Abbey
11a York Street
Bath
Somerset
BA1 1LT
England

Saturday 4th November 2023
7:30 PM

Programme

Gabriel Fauré – Requiem, Op.48 (1883)
John Ireland – Greater Love Hath No Man
Charles Hubert Hastings Parry – Songs of Farewell

Performers

Frederick Long – Bass
Marcus Sealy – organ
Benedict Collins Rice – Conductor

Bath Bach Choir

Programme Note

Bath Bach Choir’s autumn concert for remembrance season reflects the sorrow of loss and the uplifting hope of peace in eternal rest. The music will be by turns tenderly intimate and delicate, as befits the solemnity of the season, and thrillingly bombastic, ideally matched to the exciting space of Bath Abbey. Whilst the three composers whose works will be heard at this concert search for peace, they explore a variety of inspirational poetry and religious texts as well as fresh, often innovative, musical styles.

During the course of the programme, the choir will sing contemplative motets by two of the great English composers of the early twentieth century, Hubert Parry and John Ireland. With World War I on the horizon as these pieces had their premieres, both men seek to offer comfort and consolation through their choral compositions. The choir will show off its musical dexterity, singing a cappella in the first half of the evening as the Musical Director once again presents the Parry work which sealed his decision to take up choral conducting, which will be interspersed with organ pieces and songs reflecting and exploring the concert’s theme.

The second half of the concert will consist of Fauré’s Requiem, his ever-popular setting of the Catholic Mass, marking in advance the 100th anniversary of the French composer’s death in 1924. Much of its popularity can be ascribed to its many beautiful melodies; it is unusually gentle and moving. There is contrast between darkness and light but as the movements succeed each other, the audience feels Fauré’s optimistic and positive words play out: “… it is thus that I see death: as a happy deliverance, an aspiration towards happiness above, rather than as a painful experience.” The finale will be John Ireland’s Greater Love, bringing to a close a programme of life-altering tableaux of music.

For this poignant concert, Bath Bach Choir is honoured to be joined once again by Frederick Long, bass, who hails from our local area and is much acclaimed at home and abroad. He will perform some captivating solo songs from his repertoire as well as taking the solo bass part in the Fauré Requiem. The treble lines will be sung by an outstanding chorister from Bath Abbey. It will be a special treat to once again hear the glorious Klais organ in the Abbey played by Marcus Sealy who was for so long the assistant organist of the Abbey and has been the choir’s much-loved accompanist for more than 40 years.

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