Concert: 24th February
Posted on Sunday 3rd February, 2008
A taste of home for the English – and of something fresh for other music lovers!
On Sunday 24th February at 4.00 pm St. Alban’s Church will be hosting a concert of sacred English choral music sung by the Danish Cantando Chamber Choir which was formed by the English-born conductor Roger Munck-Fairwood in 1997. He is delighted with this opportunity of sharing his love of the English choral tradition with the congregation of St. Alban’s.
The concert programme includes choral music by some of the most eminent English composers, ranging from the renaissance composer William Byrd to later Victorian and Edwardian composers. A highlight is Vaughan Williams’ setting from 1911 of sacred poems by the 17th century priest George Herbert. In these ‘Five Mystical Songs’ for baritone soloist, choir and organ, the music moves between mysterious shadows and extrovert choral fanfares. Then there is music of Parry: his hymn tune to ‘Dear Lord and Father of Mankind’ with its characteristic melodic leaps, and his rousing setting of William Blake’s poem ‘Jerusalem’ – well-known from the Last Night of the Proms. Finally comes Elgar’s colourful setting of Psalm 48 where one can hear echoes of his famous Pomp and Circumstance marches – as Elgar describes the grandeur of the Holy City – and darker tones depicting the terror and defeat of the enemies who try to surround it.
The baritone soloist Piet Larsen has performed leading roles in many operas and oratorios with well-known choirs and orchestras. Organ accompaniment is provided by Niels Kjølhede who is educated at the Royal Academy of Music in Copenhagen as both pianist and organist. The conductor, Roger Munck-Fairwood, began his musical education in England and has since studied organ and choir direction at the Zealand School of Church Music in Roskilde. In recent years the Cantando Chamber Choir has been based in Ølby Church near Køge where Roger Munck-Fairwood is employed as organist and choir leader.
Admission to the concert is free. There will be a collection in aid of the Danish Refugee Council which aims to give refugees a future – in their homeland, in a neighbouring country or in Denmark.
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