The London Chorus – Howells HYMNUS PARADISI -7:30pm
Howells HYMNUS PARADISI
Elgar ORCHESTRAL SONGS Op. 48, 59 and 60
Vaughan Williams TOWARD THE UNKNOWN REGION
The London Chorus
New London Orchestra
Conductor Ronald Corp
Two rarely performed but magnificent works will be performed at this concert – Herbert Howells Hymnus Paradisi and Elgar’s Orchestral Songs Op. 48, 59 and 60.
Howells Hymnus Paradisi will be sung by The London Chorus, with soloists Rebecca Hardwick and Elgan Llyr Thomas. Hymnus Paradisi was composed under heart-breaking circumstances following the death of the composer’s son, Michael, aged nine. Throughout this deeply moving work, in which the human tragedy of a boy’s death and a father’s grief are enshrined, Howells’ command of choral and orchestral polyphony is masterly.
Elgar’s Orchestral Songs Op. 48, 59 and 60 will be sung by Emily Gray. Elgar’s songs are not often featured in recitals although the song cycle ‘Sea Pictures’ is well known. Elgar orchestrated a few of his other songs and these include the songs performed at this concert.
Vaughan Williams Toward the Unknown Region will be sung by The London Chorus. This choral work is a setting of Walt Whitman’s poem. It has the boldness and fervour of Vaughan Williams’ mature works and although relatively short in length packs a real punch!
More information and tickets from Howells ‘Hymnus Paradisi’ at Holy Trinity Church, Sloane Square event tickets from TicketSource
Supported by the Howells Trust and the Elgar Society
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