Tributes concert 2013
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As a tribute to Benjamin Britten in the centenary year of his birth, we performed the striking Britten Te Deum in C - for choir, soprano solo and organ written by Britten as a young man nearing the end of his studies at the Royal College of Music in 1934 – this displayed the choir and organ to resounding effect. In addition we performed the splendid and varied Choral Dances from his opera Gloriana, as well as Jubilate Deo in C, and “The evening primrose”.
We were also delighted to be giving a seventieth birthday tribute to Philip Moore (Organist, York Minster) which featured the contrast of his Antiphon, perhaps the best known of his compositions, and a lyrical piece entitled “It Is A Thing Most Wonderful”, which was written for Jonathan Bielby and the Wakefield Cathedral choir.
The Wakefield connection continued with the lively anthem O God, Enfold Me In The Sun, written by former chorister Kenneth Leighton. As a complete contrast we performed the gently flowing “Listen Sweet Dove”, written by Grayston Ives, (a composer and choral director who is perhaps most famous for being a member of The Kings Singers from 1978 to 1985) as well as his “Ride on in majesty”.
Our final tribute was to Francis Poulenc, fifty years after his death. His “Salve Regina” is a good example of his quirky style of A Capella music.
