Battersea Choral Society – Mendelssohn Hymn of Praise – 7:30pm
Hymn of Praise (Lobgesang, Op. 52) is a large-scale choral symphony composed in 1840 by Mendelssohn to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg. It is one of Mendelssohn’s most ambitious choral works which helped to revive interest in large, sacred choral music in the 19th century. Interestingly, he was inspired partly by Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. Fit for midsummer, this piece is a bright, triumphant and deeply spiritual choral work.
Considered a hidden gem in the choral repertoire, Beethoven’s Elegischer Gesang is not among his widely known works, but it is respected and appreciated. Admired for its emotional depth and beautiful text, having been written for a specific private memorial, it is deeply expressive and sincere; and one of Beethoven’s most intimate choral works. It is a short but extremely moving choral composition, written in 1814.
Andante Festivo is one of Sibelius’s most serene and dignified short orchestral works – simple on the surface, but deeply expressive. It was originally written in 1922 for string quartet and later arranged for string orchestra. The version with timpani was conducted by Sibelius himself in 1939 and this was actually the only recording he ever conducted.
Elinor Rolfe-Johnson, Soprano
Annie Gill, Mezzo soprano
Nicholas Mulroy, Tenor
The Battersea Ensemble
Sam Evans, Conductor
Time: 7.30pm
Date: Saturday 20th June 2026
Venue: Holy Trinity Sloane Square
Sloane Street, London SW1X 9BZ
www.batterseachoralsociety.org
Battersea Choral Society is a registered charity – 1200589