Your events at Classical Events
Details
St Michael and All Angels Church
Bath Road
Chiswick
London
W4 1TT
England
Programme
Ralph Vaughan Williams – 5 Mystical Songs
Edward Elgar – The Fountain, Op.71 no.2
Gerald Finzi – Lo, The Full Final Sacrifice
William Harris – Bring Us, O Lord God
Judith Weir – Love Bade Me Welcome
Charles Hubert Hastings Parry – Songs of Farewell: 1, My Soul there is a country
Henry Purcell – How long, great God?, Z.189
Pelham Humfrey – Hymn to God the Father
Henry Purcell – With sick and famished eyes
William Byrd – Farewell false love
John Dowland – Sweet, stay a while
Gerald Finzi – God is gone up, Op.27 no.2
Rebecca Clarke – Philomela
Performers
Eoghan Desmond – Bass Baritone
Richard Bannan – Musical Director
Alex Knight – piano / organ
Petros Singers
Programme Note
John Donne, George Herbert, Sir Walter Raleigh, Edmund Spenser, Henry Vaughan – today known as the Metaphysical poets – were near-contemporaries of Shakespeare. Despite their diverse backgrounds – Raleigh, a courtier, statesman, and explorer; Herbert, a humble parish priest – they were united by a love of language, conveying both dazzling visions of the natural world and a keen understanding of the human condition.
From delight to despair, from yearning to sublime rapture, their works have inspired some of Britain’s best-loved composers including Byrd, Purcell, Elgar and Vaughan Williams. Join us to discover exquisite poetry and four centuries of music to touch the soul on a summer’s evening.
Petros Singers is West London’s leading amateur chamber choir, performing a wide variety of music – from baroque to contemporary, from large-scale works to exquisite miniatures – placing particular emphasis on vibrant and communicative singing.
Eoghan Desmond is a commanding bass-baritone who has established a reputation as one of the most versatile and dynamic musicians of his generation. With appearances on the concert stage throughout the United Kingdom as well as at Irish National Opera, Eoghan holds a PhD in composition from the University of Aberdeen. His music has been recorded by The Sixteen and The Choral Scholars of University College, Dublin, whilst this season sees him sing with The Gabrieli Consort, I Fagiolini and Chamber Choir Ireland.
Richard Bannan was a choral scholar at Clare College, Cambridge before embarking on a career as a professional vocal musician, arranger and teacher. He now sings as a Lay-Clerk at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, and with many of the country’s major professional ensembles.
Alex Knight combines a freelance career as an organist, pianist, conductor, continuo player, music producer and teacher with his posts as Accompanist for Petros Singers and Musical Director for the Treble Chefs.
