Monday 2 May 2016 at 7:30pm
Sherborne Abbey
Vaughan Williams Toward the Unknown Region, Sancta Civitas, The Lark Ascending
Howells Requiem
Sherborne Festival Chorus & Sherborne Chamber Choir
Chameleon Arts Orchestra
Ruth Rogers Violin
Craig Bissex Baritone
Paul Ellis Conductor
An all-English programme by two of our best-loved twentieth century composers marks the tenth anniversary of Sherborne Abbey Festival’s own highly acclaimed choir, of which we’re delighted to be part.
First performed at the Leeds Festival in 1907, Toward the Unknown Region takes the words of American poet Walt Whitman and put a young Vaughan Williams firmly on the path to the Sea Symphony. Of his many choral works, the later Sancta Civitas was apparently the composer’s favourite, possibly because it embodies his very personal attitude to religious belief. Not often performed until recently, this masterpiece is now enjoying new popularity. Top violinist Ruth Rogers joins the orchestra for the enduringly popular The Lark Ascending, recently voted the nation’s favourite piece of classical music by Classic FM listeners. Howells’s atmospheric and moving setting of the Requiem will be performed by SCC and completes this anniversary concert.