The Manchester Chorale is a mixed-voice choir, based in Manchester, under the musical direction of Jill Henderson-Wild, a talented and experienced choral conductor.The choir was founded in 1979 by the BBC and quickly established a reputation for a high standard of music making. The choir frequently performs in The Bridgewater Hall with the Manchester Concert Orchestra, as well as throughout the north of England in smaller venues in a cappella arrangements. The Chorale draws its singers from all over the North West, including Merseyside!
This is the Chorale’s 40th Anniversary Season and to mark it, a composition competition was held recently. The winning pieces will be performed during the season in a series of concerts in Manchester, culminating in the 40thAnniversary Celebration Concert in St Ann’s Church where all three winning pieces will be sung.
This afternoon’s concert of a cappella music is the first in their 40th Anniversary Season and represents a favourite selection of choral works from across the ages.
Works for double choir abounded in Charles Wood’s choral output and Hail, Gladdening Lightis no exception, using the interplay between two choirs to good effect. Alonso Lobo was considered one of Spain’s finest composers and the 6-part Versa Est in Luctum is his best known work. Ola Gjeilo is one of our favourite composers and we start the concert with his joyful, celebratory Prelude.
For further information about the Manchester Chorale and their 40thAnniversary events, please visit www.manchesterchorale.org.uk
Performers:
The Manchester Chorale
Jill Henderson-Wild Musical Director
Programme:
Ola Gjeilo Prelude
Tomás Luis de Victoria O Vos Omnes
Sergei Rachmaninov Bogoroditse Devo
Michael Fairbairn I Will Come to You
Anton Bruckner Os Justi
Moses Hogan We Shall Walk Through the Valley in Peace
Alonso Lobo Versa Est in Luctum
Stephen Paulus The Road Home
Jake Runestad Let My Love Be Heard
Charles Wood Hail, Gladdening Light
This is a free concert and all are welcome to attend.
