Wimbledon Choral Society – Music of the Stars – 7:30pm
This concert draws from the rich talent of English composers, two of whom are Wimbledon Choral favourites - Cecilia McDowall and Michael Higgins. McDowall's Ave Maris Stella (Hail, Star of the Sea) was the first work of hers published by OUP. Its seven short sections merge into a single powerful wave with elements of peace and tranquility mixed in with a turbulent yet joyful mid-section. Music of the Stars was published in 2023 and the text used demonstrates the power of music as a means of consoling and uplifting in challenging times. In the two YouYube clips below, the composer explains her approach to these two works. At the time writing, it is believed ours will be the UK concert performance premiere of this work in its original orchestration.
Ralph Vaughan Williams (President WCS 1946-1958) often used English folk songs as the source and inspiration for some of his works. He adapted the old song Dives and Lazarus to become the hymn tune known as Kingsfold, named after the village located a few miles south of where he lived in Leith Hill, West Sussex. The text associated with the tune is usually I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say and the choir will sing this prior to the players performing the composer’s Five Variants of Dives and Lazarus.
The concert opens with Elgar’s delightful Serenade for Strings and, towards the end, includes Michael Higgins’ beautiful O Salutaris Hostia, his arrangement of Elgar’s Nimrod (from the Enigma Variations).
Concert Programme
Elgar : Serenade for Strings
McDowall : Ave Maris Stella
Vaughan Williams : I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say [hymn Kingsfold]
Vaughan Williams : Five Variants of Dives & Lazarus [same theme as Kingsfold]
Higgins : O Salutaris Hostia
McDowall : Music of the Stars (UK premiere)
We are delighted to be working with members of the City of London Sinfonia again in this concert.
Upcoming Events
The Esterhazy Singers – Bach Mass in B Minor – 7pm
Join us for an opportunity to hear Bach’s choral masterpiece, accompanied by orchestra, in the glorious setting of Holy Trinity Church, Sloane Square.
Saturday 22nd March 2025, 7.00pm
Tickets are £25, or £12 for under 25s
Holy Trinity Church – J.S.Bach St John Passion – 6pm
Palm Sunday J.S.Bach St John Passion
Sung by Holy Trinity Choirs and Choral Scholars, with players from London’s leading early music ensembles.
Evangelist - Joseph Hancock
Conductor - Max Barley
Tickets: Adults/Come & Sing £20
Under 18s £10