CEFC presents Fauré, Bernstein, Janáček, Weir 7:30pm
CEFC presents Fauré, Bernstein, Janáček, Weir
Save 20% with early bird pricing until end May - use code EB20 at box office.
This unusually eclectic, carefully crafted programme – in which all four works feature a harp – is designed not only to present four inspiring choral works but also to showcase the versatility of Crouch End Festival Chorus, who, under the direction of David Temple, consistently excel in a breathtaking variety of repertoire.
Join us to enjoy another magical event from London’s world class symphonic choir, in one of the city’s most beautiful musical venues.
More about the programme
Our concert will open with Otčenáš (‘Our Father’) for choir, harp and organ – a distinctively personal and powerful expression of the prayer. Prompted by a set of paintings, it was written in response to a request from the trustees of a women’s shelter in Brno. In setting these words in 1901, Janáček’s faith was directed primarily towards a sense of society and community.
Judith Weir is known for her innovative approach to choral writing in our own time. In her ethereal, thought-provoking All the Ends of the Earth she fuses ancient and modern. A captivating tapestry of choral textures and harmonies is woven from a sparse opening, punctuated by other-worldly sounds from harp and percussion. In the extraordinary acoustic of Holy Trinity Sloane Square, this will transport you.
The dial is turned up for Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms, which bursts out of a declamatory opening with youthful energy and rhythmic vitality. This version, featuring harp, organ, and percussion, highlights the work’s intricate textures and Bernstein’s masterful blend of Jewish and Christian traditions. Occasionally virtuosic and featuring one of the most beautiful treble solos, it is an irresistible firecracker of a piece.
The evening will conclude with the beloved Requiem by Fauré in David Hill’s intimate arrangement. Scored for choir, violin, cello, harp and organ, it strips away the full orchestral sound to reveal the work’s inner beauty and spiritual essence. Experience Fauré’s ‘lullaby of death’ in a new light – serene, comforting and crystal clear.
Prices are £10-38 (plus booking fee): book before the end of May to save 20% off full-price tickets with the code EB20.
Booking is open here
Upcoming Events
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Canticum will also perform Mozart’s deeply moving Ave verum corpus, composed less than six monthsbefore his death.
Interspersed with these Classical masterpieces are five of Bruckner’s Motets. These beautiful a cappella choruses, composed over nearly a quarter of a century, hark back to Gregorian chant and Palestrina, the liturgical prince of the Counter-Reformation.
Crouch End Festival Chorus – Reimagined: Monteverdi to MacMillan – 7.30pm
Reimagined: Monteverdi to MacMillan
A captivating evening of sacred and reimagined choral works, blending Renaissance masters with modern voices. Featuring Crouch End Festival Chorus and the Ferio Saxophone Quartet.
David Temple MBE, Music Director of Crouch End Festival Chorus says
When I first heard the Ferio Saxophone Quartet perform last summer, I immediately got in touch and asked if they would like to work with CEFC and me. What is extraordinary is the amazing variety of musical colours produced by this excellent quartet.
This palette of colours works brilliantly for early music, as they could easily pass for cornetts and sackbuts - hence our collaboration performing works by Monteverdi and Schütz.
They are equally at home with contemporary works by James MacMillan, Roderick Williams and Sarah Rimkus. Our concert will be a delicious mixture of ‘reimagined’ works from Monteverdi to MacMillan.
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