After their sellout success of both the Verdi and Fauré Requiems earlier in the year, Oakfield Choir end this year’s season at Holy Trinity Church, on Saturday 8th December, with a programme of 18th and 19th century sacred music featuring Mendel-ssohn’s Hymn of Praise, Bach’s Cantata BWV 140 and Schubert’s Magnificat in C.
The earliest of the three works is Bach’s cantata, also known as Sleepers Wake, and first performed in 1731. One of his most popular sacred cantatas, it was described by English composer and Bach scholar William G.Whittaker as, “a cantata without weakness, without a dull bar, technically, emotionally and spiritually of the highest order”.
Schubert’s Magnificat, composed in 1816, is one of the more concise settings of the well-known Marian Canticles, one of the eight most Christian hymns, and most likely written for vespers at the Lichtenthal Church in Vienna.
Lastly, Mendelssohn’s Hymn of Praise, or Lobgesang, was composed in 1840 to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Johannes Gutenberg’s movable type printing system. Using texts from the Lutheran Bible, Mendelssohn created a rousing symphonic cantata in which the whole world unites in a triumphant song to the Heavenly Father.
Choir and orchestra will be led, as always, by musical director, Neil Moore and joined by soloists Krystl Ride (soprano), Julia O’Connor (soprano), Matthew Bawden (tenor), and Ashley Bremner (bass).
The performance starts 7.30pm. Tickets £12.50 (under 16 free) can be purchased from choir members, Hunting Raven Books, Frome, or reserved by telephone on 01373 464839. Tickets may be available on the door subject to demand.
