Next 40th anniversary concert by St Peter’s Consort – with Mass and childhood repertoire in beautiful surroundings
The concert by one of Yorkshire’s premier chamber choirs will be in the beautiful surroundings of the Grade I listed building, which is renowned for its architecture.
After a memorable performance of JS Bach’s St John Passion at Wakefield Cathedral last month, St Peter’s Consort will continue with its second anniversary concert in another atmospheric setting.
Musical Director James Bowstead said: “This will be very much a concert of two halves, with the first half consisting of Frank Martin’s Mass for Double Choir, sung in its entirety.
“Martin was a 20th century Swiss composer, and his Mass for Unaccompanied Double Choir remained unperformed for almost 40 years, as he viewed it as a private act of religious devotion. Thankfully, he did eventually relent and allow it to be performed and published, and over the years it has come to be recognised as one of the most sublime and accomplished Masses of the 20th century.”
He added: “One of the great delights of directing Consort is its great versatility as a choir, just as comfortable singing music in a lighter style as they are with more traditional and serious choral music.
“In the second half of the concert we will explore some of this lighter repertoire, including John Rutter’s Five Childhood Lyrics, a short suite of poems and nursery rhymes composed by a young Rutter in 1973. There is a great variety of moods and styles between the five movements, but there is a strong sense of fun and energy throughout.
“Alongside this work, we will perform a range of other lighter music to complete the concert. Hopefully there will be something for everyone.”
Critical acclaim
St Peter’s Consort has won widespread critical acclaim for its performances of a wide range of sacred and secular music.
Consort was founded 40 years ago by John S North, who remained director of the choir for 25 years. Under John’s leadership, St Peter’s Consort gave 173 concerts, sang 109 services, broadcast on the BBC Daily Service on four occasions, made six professional recordings and sang at 12 weddings. Venues have included half the cathedrals of England, St George’s Chapel in Windsor, Westminster Abbey, Notre Dame in Paris and Brussels Cathedral.
James reflects on the Bach concert: “It was brilliant to see such a good-sized audience. It was also a fulfilment of a long-standing ambition of mine. Underlying it all was Consort’s usual high musical standards. It was really fantastic way to kick off our 40th anniversary year.”
Audience feedback included:
“It was fabulous. You really did it justice. I was so overcome with emotion at the end that I couldn’t applaud.”
“That was absolutely beautiful. I love to sing and would give anything to be able to sing like that.”
Tickets and details
The concert begins at 7.30pm on Saturday 27 May at St Peter & St Leonard’s Church in Northgate, Horbury.
Tickets will be £12 per person payable at the door, or available online with Eventbrite via our website at £13.70 including a booking fee. Wine and soft drinks will be available during the interval.
For tickets and details visit www.stpetersconsort.co.uk