John Holloway has devised for Cantores, a new programme of music across the continents entitled 'East meets West'.
Herbert Howells was born in Lydney, Holst in Cheltenham and SS Wesley was organist at Gloucester cathedral and died in his home in Gloucester, so all our English composers have local connections.
Central to the Western part of our programme is Howells’ Requiem written in 1932 but not released for performance until 1980. The Nunc Dimmittis by Gustav Holst was first performed in 1915, subsequently forgotten, but then rediscovered in the 1970’s.
While Rachmaninoff’s Vespers are quite often performed, Gretchaninoff, Kedrov , Chesnokov and Kalinnikov are less well known. With contrasts of drama, stillness, solemnity and simplicity these lesser known compositions provide an interesting and varied Eastern part of the programme.
We will provide translations, but you don’t need to understand Church Slavonic to experience the beauty of these pieces from the Eastern Orthodox Liturgy.
We welcome back David Whitehead to accompany us on the organ.
Come and hear this concert on Saturday 27th June in Holy Innocents Church, Highnam at 19.30. If you haven’t visited the church in Highnam, then definitely put this date in your diary. It was commissioned by Thomas Gambier Parry, the owner of nearby Highnam Court, who then painted amazing frescoes on the walls. His son was Hubert Parry, best known for writing the music to 'Jerusalem'. The church was consecrated in 1851 the same year as SS Wesley wrote Ascribe unto the Lord which is also in the programme.
Tickets are available online www.cantores.net or from Lorna on 01242 603988 who will either post your tickets or put them aside for you on the door.