Henley Choral Society

Songs of Celebration

7.30pm Saturday June 16th, St Mary’s Parish Church, Henley on Thames

With anticipation building for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, Henley Choral Society aims to reflect a glorious summer with Songs of Celebration on Saturday June 16th at 7.30pm at St Mary’s Parish Church, Henley-on-Thames.  

Featuring British composers, the concert is an opportunity to hear four contrasting pieces on a theme of celebration. Hiawatha’s Wedding Feast by the fascinating and under-rated composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor was once a concert favourite, but is now rarely-performed; while The Turning Year by Cecil Armstrong Gibbs gives an atmospheric evocation of our seasons starting with High Summer. Quintessentially English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams is represented by Five Mystical Songs, a beautiful spiritual celebration in a setting of four poems by George Herbert, and, most appropriately, for The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee year, Flourish for a Coronation, composed for the coronation of George VI, is a stirring work that is both majestic and jubilant.    

As usual, charismatic Grammy-nominated Musical Director of Henley Choral Society Will Dawes has sought out some rising young musical talent in tenor Guy Cutting and bass Dominic Bowe; they will be joined by the 100-strong chorus and their superb accompanist David Smith.  

Back at their regular venue of St Mary’s Parish Church in Henley after the Society’s acclaimed performance of The Creation at Reading Concert Hall, Songs of Celebration will bring the summer of 2012 to life in vibrant musical form.   

Tickets £12.00 (under 18’s - £8.00) from Ticket Secretary 01491 572795 or Gorvett & Stone, Duke Street, Henley-on-Thames

To read a review of the last performance click here