Kelly Beall Lisa
Bailey Bill
Kell Murray
Beall
Phoebe Lewis Amelia
Ballard Toby
Lewis Terry
Hillman
Elizabeth Ross Anne
Elston D.C.Turner Victor
Karaffa
Odette Ross Ursula
Genaehr Elliot
Lewis
Kelley Trainor Anne
Riddell Mike
Halsey
Judy Wilkinson Wendy
Phillips
Trebles- DiannePrince, Dominic Ballard, Michael Brice.
Orchestraleader & pianist - Cheryl-Ann
Lewis
Violin1
Violin2
Cello
Joanna Ford
Kathy Lindsay Tara
Chambers Catriona
Manguy
Bethany Schirmer Ursula
Genaehr Francesca
McCarten
Viola
Alex Kunzelmann
Flute
Dorothy Kelly Jeremy
de Korte
Megan Zerafa
Cornets
Toby Lewis Elliot
Lewis
Pau lWitney
Gemma Shanahan
David Charles Turner
Judy Walsh
Phoebe Lewis
This is the last of the Five Mystical Songs of 1911. Arranged
here for orchestra and chorus, this setting of George Herbertıs famous hymn Let
all the World in Every Corner Sing shows the composer in a declamatory style.
A constantly moving bass supports the powerful chords of the choral
line, today supported by winds and brass. This is music for important occasions
and introduces the newly reformed St Matthewıs Consort.
This workis dedicated to the Saint Paulıs Girls School Junior Orchestra.
It is a beautiful and sophisticated work, and an excellent vehicle for training
young musicians. It quickly moved away from its school setting and established
itself in the English pastoral repertoire.
Imbued with the textures and rhythms of folk music, this musicıs
essential optimism appeals to musicians and audiences alike.
1.Prelude
2.Air
3.Dance
Foursongs - Ivor Novello (1893-1951)
The late1930s were a time of great industrial progress and artistic elegance.
Streamlined steam locomotives, art deco design, cars that were rolling works of
art, and a sophisticated popular music style all contributed to a definite
sense of time that we now associate with a pre-war world.
This era is captured in the works of Agatha Christie,
and in period movies such as Gosford Park. During this time the music of Welsh
born vor Novello reigned supreme. Few other entertainers are so strongly
associated with war time Britain. His memory lives on in the annual Novello awards
for popular song writers.
From Keep the Home Fires Burning of 1914 until his death Novello
enjoyed a high public profile as actor producer and songwriter. Soprano Judy
Walsh presents I Can Give you the Starlight(1939), Shine
Through my Dreams (1935), Weıll gather Lilacs
Studie sin English Folk Song - Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)
This music exists in arrangements for violin, viola,
cello, cor anglais, bassoon, saxophone and tuba, underlining its appeal to all
musicians. The melody lines have a strength and purpose from the heart of the
English folk song tradition, now almost entirely lost to the commercialism of
popular music.
There was a time when such songs were passed on in
families and were a vital part of a communityıs identity. The distinctive
melodies were woven into a musical language that was to grow into the English
pastoral sound.
By 1927 this tradition had largely disappeared when
Vaughan Williams harvested these beautiful melodies for posterity. This set of
six arrangements include five very tranquil and reflective song tunes plus an
energetic march. The music is performed today by Jeremy de Korte on CorAnglais.
Grand organ music is a relatively recent innovation in English music.
For many centuries the church organs were without pedals. They were designed
for supporting congregational singing, not as large scale concert instruments.
Gradually however larger instruments were built, and
with them came a new repertoire of major organ works by Elgar, Holst, Walton,
Stanford, Parry and Howells. The theatre organ has also done much to establish
the coronation march style of music, of which this work by the presenter of the
BBCıs long running The Organist Entertains is an excellent example.
This melody, attributed to Caccine, is one of the most
popular versions of the Ave Maria. Various harmonisations have been published
over the years including a new choral setting by Christopher Tambling, but this
solo arrangement by the former director of St Matthewıs Consort is particularly
satisfying. This performance features soprano Phoebe Lewis, who has been
singing in the St Matthewıs Choir since she was seven years old.
In Memoriam Anne Frank - Howard Goodall
Anne Frank is one of the worldıs most famous women.
Her inspirational diary has been read by countless teenagers around the world
as a school text, and her message of optimism and love has universal significance.
This music carries the message that no one really dies
until all that remember them have themselves faded. It is an intensely moving
work, which will resonate with all who have suffered deep loss.
Rather than railing against the natural injustice in
the death of young people, this music focuses on the gentleness that Howard
Goodall perceived in Anne herself. The setting is incomplete, perhaps like
Anneıs life itself the work is without its final chord.
The English church anthem is one of the most enduring of the great
choral genres. Its rich history includes the famous choirs of Cambridge
university and the Cathedrals of St Paul's and Winchester. Anthems cover a vast
range of styles from the Renaissance world of Orlando Gibbons to modern
master-pieces by John Rutter and Malcolm Archer.
Parryıs contributions to the form include such stellar examples as I
was Glad
This anthem is the first of six Songs of Farewell
As Torrents in Summer - Edward Elgar (1857-1934)
As we enjoy the music this afternoon, Australia is afflicted by one of
the worst droughts in our history. Perhaps a Rain Song will help! This simple
chorus concludes the 1896 cantata King Olaf, an epic saga of
Norse heroism based on the poem by Longfellow. It is an allegory of the Spirit
of God that can suddenly fill the hearts of the faithful, and is unmistakably
in the mould of Elgarıs later more famous works.
A concert in December would be incomplete without carols, and we present
the final two from the set of Four Old English Carols. The use of Dorian mode
and Latin phrases place these firmly in the Medieval period.
A meditative setting of Jesu, Thou the Virgin Born
The Lord is my Shepherd - Howard Goodall
English
radio and television shows have a long history of main themes that go on to
have a life of their own. Many of the Light Music standards of the fifties and
sixties began as broadcast music and this magnificent setting of Psalm 23
continues in that tradition.
Opening with a deceptively simple treble solo, sung
today by Dianne Prince, the music quickly brings the full force of an adult choir
and string orchestra to bear. The central section, sadly missed by television
audiences, contains some very powerful and moving passages, before gradually
receding to leave the treble soloist alone.
The lyrics are by Scottish poet Robert Tannahill
(1774-1810), though this melody is probably of Irish origin. The words are as
well known in Scotland as they are in the Blue Ridge Mountains of West
Virginia, to where the Scots and Irish emigrated and settled during the late
1700s.This radiant setting quickly became a favourite of the choir performing
today, and so has been kept till last as a final treat.