Wimbledon Choral Society – Bernstein: Chichester Psalms – 7:30pm
Leonard Bernstein's Chichester Psalms was commissioned by Chichester Cathedral's then Dean, Walter Hussey, for the Southern Choirs Festival held in the cathedral in 1965 with singers from Salisbury, Chichester and Winchester Cathedrals. He has taken extracts from Psalms 2, 23, 100, 108, 131 & 133, retained the text in Hebrew, and wrapped his typical vibrant, rhythmic, spiritual style around it, incorporating echoes of West Side Story. It has become a unique work for peace and unity.
German-American composer Lukas Foss was a long-time friend of Leonard Bernstein, having met at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. He wrote his simply-titled Psalms in 1956 and it draws on extracts from Psalms 23, 95 & 121 with Psalm 98 forming the main body of the work.
Fellow American, Charles Ives, took several decades to complete his Psalm 90, one of twelve Psalm settings he wrote and, according to his wife, the only one amongst his 600 or so compositions with which he was fully satisfied.
Coming full circle, the concert’s programme is completed by British composer Joanna Marsh’s A Psalm for Chichester (Psalm 90), linking back to Bernstein’s text choice of unity and harmony. To cement the link, this work was also commissioned by Chichester Cathedral to mark the Diocese’s 950th Anniversary in 2025. It was premiered by the Cathedral Choir in July 2025 in a concert that also included Bernstein’s work in the same programme that night.
Wimbledon Choral’s full season details can be found by clicking on the image below.
Upcoming Events
Goldsmiths Choral Union – POETRY IN MOTION – 7:30pm
POETRY IN MOTION
Poetry in motion brings together choral works that blend poetry, rhythm and melody in unexpected ways. From Gjeilo’s The Rose which shimmers with luminous harmonies to Shearing’s setting of Shakespeare’s words in a joyful jazz-infused style to the electrifying Misatango, where the traditional Latin Mass meets the passion and pulse of Argentine tango. A vibrant, uplifting evening not to be missed!
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.
Read MoreUniversity of Arkansas Children’s Choir USA – 4:30pm – FREE CONCERT
The University of Arkansas Children’s Choir, founded in 1997, is a community outreach programme of the University of Arkansas Music Department. The ensemble provides young singers with training in performance, musicianship, and music theory within an inclusive and supportive environment.
Its performances span a wide range of musical styles, languages, and traditions, combining strong musical standards with energy, warmth, and a commitment to creativity and inclusivity.