2.15pm
Elgar Chorale
English Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by Donald Hunt
Pershore Abbey
Buy tickets: £26/£18/£10

Vaughan Williams:
Mystical Songs
Five Variants of Dives and Lazarus
Magnificat
Fantasia on a theme of Thomas Tallis
Fantasia on Christmas Carols

Founded by Donald Hunt in 1980, the Elgar Chorale has established itself as one of the leading specialist choirs in the West Midlands. With a repertoire extending from early music to popular modern arrangements, the Chorale, throughout its existence, has specialised in English music.

 

The choir has featured at several Worcester Three Choirs Festivals, from 1981 to the present day; at the 2005 Festival it gave the premiere of Howard Blake's Songs of Truth and Glory, which had been composed especially for them. The Chorale is based at the Elgar School of Music in Worcester .

 

The English Symphony Orchestra was founded by William Boughton in 1978. It too has developed a reputation for specialising in English music through both live performance and recording. ESO is based in Worcestershire, and has recently begun to perform regularly with the Chorale.

 

Its principal conductor is Vernon Handley, who was last year given a Lifetime Achievement BRIT for his championing of unjustly neglected British works and composers.

 

This afternoon's concert features some of Vaughan Williams' most magnificent compostions - all of them written for the 3 Choirs Festival. The shared heritage of both Choir and Orchestra promises to make this a memorable occasion.

 

 

www.elgarchorale.co.uk
www.eso.co.uk