Your events at Classical Events
Details
St Peter's Church
The Lawn
Budleigh Salterton
Devon
EX9 6LR
England
Programme
Maurice Duruflé – Requiem, Op.9
Russell Hepplewhite – Living Voices: I Wake (World première)
Francis Poulenc – Gloria, FP 177
Performers
Andrea Brown – Conductor
Andrew Millington – organ / piano
Gweneth-Ann Rand – soprano
Timothy Dickinson – bass-baritone
Isabella Farleigh – Cello
Exeter Festival Chorus
Programme Note
I Wake is part of Living Voices, a new collection of ten inspirational pieces for choirs, all of which portray an aspect of modern life. The idea came from composer Russell Hepplewhite, who invited ten outstanding British poets to create poetic responses to our world today. Their diverse reflections cover birth and death, youth and age, sickness and health, and landscape and memory. Accessible and rich in expression, Hepplewhite’s music proves a perfect partner, translating the message of each poem into a vibrant collective choral sound, uplifted by his abundant experience of writing for the theatre.
During 2025, the entire collection is to be premièred across the UK by ten different choirs and EFC is delighted to be singing the first piece at Budleigh Salterton. Full details can be found at https://stainer.co.uk/living-voices/.
We are delighted to be performing with some fine musicians, all of whom have connections with Exeter or the South-West.
Andrew Millington was director of music at Exeter Cathedral for six years and prior to that was musical director for Exeter Philharmonic Choir. He is actively involved in the PipeUp Devon Scheme, which provides subsidised tuition for budding organists.
Gweneth Ann Rand studied at the university. She first performed Poulenc’s Gloria as a teenager with the National Youth Choir of Great Britain.
Isabella Farleigh grew up in Devon, and enjoys exploring the beautiful countryside and coastal landscapes. She is the youngest soloist to have performed at Budleigh Music Festival, when 11 years old.
Timothy Dickinson and soprano Amy Carson are the founders of The Echoing Air, an ensemble based in the South-West and largely made up of musicians from the region.
The venue has full disabled access. Accompanying carers are eligible for a free ticket.
Running time 1 hour 30 minutes plus a 20-minute interval (refreshments available).
Enquiries to: concertmanager@exeterfestivalchorus.org.uk
