Best of British

From local composer Will Todd, whose commissioned piece The Call of Wisdom was performed at the Diamond Jubilee service in St. Paul’s Cathedral, to John Rutter, one of the most popular living choral composers, this is an uplifting programme that is perfect for seasoned concert-goers or first-time listeners.

We will be singing Will’s remarkable Angel Song II, a short, atmospheric piece which was composed in 2005 and was premiered in St. John’s Smith Square by the Vasari Singers conducted by Jeremy Backhouse and described by  Jill Barlow as “. . . coming across in true Todd style with ethereal impact.”

The renowned Farnham Youth Choir are joining us for John Rutter’s Mass of the Children, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2013. Brilliantly written for children’s voices, it blends the children’s choir with adult forces and rich orchestration in a setting that uses elements of both the traditional mass and English poetry. Rutter’s work is known for its rhythmic vibrancy and optimism, and Mass of the Children is a joy to perform and wonderful to hear.

Paul Mealor has been composing outstanding choral works for many years, but rose to prominence in 2011 when his motet Ubi Caritas et Amor was sung at the wedding of TRH the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. He has since written Wherever You Are for Gareth Malone’s Military Wives Choir, which was the Christmas number one in 2011.

Finally, we sing Bob Chilcott’s Requiem for the first time. Premiered in 2010, it has been widely praised by musicians and reviewers alike for its beauty. Bringing something new musically and emotionally to such a traditional form is indeed a challenge, but it is one that is so well met by Chilcott that it has already been performed many times and will be a choral staple for years to come.