The Addison Singers Forthcoming Spring Concert

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Reflective music from the Oratorio and Chamber choirs

The Addison Oratorio and Chamber Choirs are in reflective mood for their Spring concert this year. The Chamber Choir remember the late British composer and pianist Sir Richard Rodney Bennett in what would have been his 80th birthday year by singing his beautiful piece for choir and cello – ‘A Farewell to Arms’ – two old soldiers remember past glories and are in pensive mood as they consider their retirement and the short time they have left.

The Oratorio Choir turn to contrasting works, both written at a time of personal crisis for their respective composers. Zoltan Kodaly wrote his striking setting of the ‘Missa Brevis’ during the Nazi occupation of Budapest and the piece had its somewhat unorthodox premiere in the cloak-room of the Budapest Opera House where the composer, his wife and musical colleagues were in hiding.

The passionate vocal lines and virtuoso organ accompaniment make this one of the most powerful of twentieth century choral works. John Rutter wrote his now popular but deeply personal ‘Requiem’ in memory of his father in 1985 – combining the text of the traditional Requiem Mass and the Book of Common Prayer, Rutter’s gift for melody and ear for instrumental colour makes this work a suitably dignified but uplifting prelude to the Easter season.

The Addison Singers Spring Concert will take place on Saturday 19th March 2016 at 7.30pm at St. Michael & All Angels Church, Bath Rd, Chiswick

Tickets in advance £12, concessions £10, under 16's £3 (all + booking fee),
online or £15 / £12 / £3 on the door.

The conductor & Musical Director is David Wordsworth, with members of the Brandenburg Sinfonia and organist Edward Kemp-Luck.

March 11, 2016