Elgar Ave Maria

The church played an important part in Elgar's musical development. From the age of twenty, he composed short religious pieces for performance at St George's Church in Worcester and when, in 1885, he succeeded to the post of organist there, the move gave him a regular platform for such compositions. It was in this role that he produced the charming trio of works Pie Jesu, Ave Maria and Ave Maris Stella - works which held such a lasting appeal for Elgar that some twenty years later he orchestrated them, giving them the opus number 2, with Pie Jesu becoming Ave Verum Corpus in the process.

Sumsion Responses

Organist of Gloucester Cathedral from 1928 to 1967, Sumsion is known primarily as a cathedral musician, his professional career spanning more than 60 years and encompassing composing, conducting, performing, accompanying, and teaching.

From 1928 until his retirement in 1967, Sumsion was responsible for planning and serving as the principal conductor for eleven Three Choirs Festivals held at Gloucester. Notable premieres at his festivals, conducted by Sumsion himself, included Finzi's Intimations of Immortality to be performed again on Friday 13th at this year's festival.

Finzi Magnificat

One of the most extended of Finzi's shorter choral works,the Magnificat was written for the choir of Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts, the composer's first overseas commission.

Tavener Hymn to the Mother of God

John Tavener is one of contemporary music's most distinctive and recognizable voices; writing deeply felt compositions of instant magnetism and lyrical intensity inspired by a strong Greek Orthodox faith. At the very heart of his work is sacred music, a genre in which Tavener has established considerable fame with contemporary classics such as this piece.