Wednesday 12 September 2012

BFC@Barts - Totus Tuus - Saturday 22 September 2012, 8.30pm


Join Brighton Festival Chorus for this first of a series of three delightful and unique concerts - a capella performances of beautiful and evocative works by Gorecki, Brahms and Stanford.

While away an autumn evening in the beautiful surroundings of St. Bartholomew's Church and enjoy an accomplished performance which will be truly 'Totus Tuus' - totally yours.


Click here to buy tickets.

The full programme includes:


Gorecki Totus Tuus Op. 60 (1987)

This fervent and hypnotic a cappella piece for mixed voices was written to celebrate Pope John Paul II's third pilgrimage to Poland. The libretto was taken from a poem written by contemporary writer Maria Boguslawska which is addressed to the Virgin Mary, the patron saint of Poland. The work remains his best-known choral work.

Stanford Three Motets Op.38 (1905)

These three beautiful motets, Justorum animae, Coelos ascendit hodie and Beati quorum via, were written whilst Stanford was professor of music at Cambridge University, for the choir of Trinity College, where he had been appointed organist whilst still an undergraduate. They span a period from 1888 to 1905, the year of their publication.

Stanford Magnificat in B flat for double choir Op.164 (1918)

This piece was written in memory of Stanford's old friend, Hubert Parry. They had had a stormy relationship after Parry was appointed head of the Royal College of Music, in preference to Stanford, who was professor of composition there. However on Parry's death, Stanford lobbied successfully for him to be buried in Westminster Abbey and this was probably sung at the funeral.

Brahms Marienlieder Op.22 (1862)

These 'Songs of Mary' were written when Brahms was in his late twenties, for a choir he formed in Hamburg. The songs are settings of traditional poems about the Virgin Mary and one about Mary Magdalene. The construction of the songs contains elements of German folk song but also reflects the result of Brahms' early studies of Baroque counterpoint. No.2 Marias Kirchgang, No.5 Ruf zu Maria, No.7 Marias Lob.

Stanford Eternal Father Op.135 (1912)

Another beautiful motet, this time a setting of words by Robert Bridges.


Still to come ...

2nd MARCH 2013 - BFC with Onyx Brass 7.30pm - Tickets £18 | £12

20th JULY 2013 - BFC with BBC Singers 7.30pm - Tickets £20 | £14

More on Brighton Festival Chorus at www.bfc.org.uk, including details of a subscription deal for all three concerts

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