Your events at Classical Events
Details
Free Church
Market Hill
St Ives
Cambridgeshire
PE27 5AL
England
Tickets
Prices: £16 (accompanied children under 12 free)
Book Tickets
Programme
Leonard Bernstein – Chichester Psalms
Will Todd – Songs of Peace
Cecilia McDowall – A Fancy of Folksongs
Morten Lauridsen – Nocturnes
Performers
Anna Phillips – Harp
Charlie Westbrook – Percussion
Brian Watkins – organ
Brian Randall – bass guitar
Programme Note
Leonard Bernstein ‘Chichester Psalms’
Bernstein composed Chichester Psalms in 1965 and from the outset, the music is both joyful and life-affirming. The work includes 6 psalms, arranged in 3 movements and Bernstein described it as “very forthright, songful, rhythmic, youthful” and “quite popular in feeling” with “even a hint [...] of West Side Story.” Bernstein masterfully intersperses moments of vigorous rhythmic writing, dance-like sections, gentle lyricism and agitated, bitter expression but the work is overall a plea for peace.
Morten Lauridsen ‘Nocturnes’
These four beautiful pieces, by the American composer Morten Lauridsen, address aspects of the theme of ‘Night’. Lauridsen’s setting is rich with dense, colourful harmonies and lyrical, folk-like melodies. The beauty of the poetry (Rilke, Neruda and Agee) is part of the appeal of this exploration of the peace and serenity of night.
Cecilia McDowall ‘A Fancy of Folksongs’
These four folksong arrangements beautifully offer a joyful celebration of youthful love. The themes of love and courtship are at the heart of the suite and the music showcases McDowall’s distinctive style, featuring rhythmic vitality, occasional astringent harmonies and strong melodies. We are lucky to be performing this work in its original form, with harp accompaniment.
Will Todd ‘Songs of Peace’
Written in memory of the composer’s mother, this work sees the Choir singing in the jazz idiom. The six movements explore the themes of peace, eternity, love and loss, with the texts taken from the Requiem Mass as well as Todd’s own powerful words. Musically we are treated to free melodies with an improvised feel, extended and jazz-infused harmonies and at times, a focus on the accompanying forces of bass guitar, drum kit and piano. In many ways another life-affirming work, ending our concert as we begun.
