Concerts

In St Stephens 2

Forthcoming Concerts

A Concert Of French Sacred Music
with the Leigh Bach Players

St Alban The Martyr Church, St John’s Road, Westcliff-on-Sea SS0 7JZ

Saturday 23rd March 2024 @ 7:30pm

Charpentier: De Profundis Clamavi
Poulenc: Quatre Motets Pour Un Temps De Pénitence
Messiæn: O Sacrum Convivium
Fauré: Requiem

This concert of French choral music takes us on an emotional journey from the depths of despair towards the light of paradise.

De Profundis Clamavi ‘Out of the deep I cried unto thee’ by Marc-Antoine Charpentier (1643–1704).  Charpentier was a composer at the court of King Louis XIV and he wrote music for royal occasions.  De Profundis was written for the funeral of Queen Marie-Therese in 1683.  This work combines the pomp and grandeur of a state funeral with the sense of loss and sadness at the death of the Queen.  It features choral sections interspersed with solos and duets and ends with a final ‘Requiem æternam’ for the soul of the Queen.  We are pleased to feature various members of the choir as soloists in this work and we are accompanied by the strings and recorders of the Leigh Bach Players.

Quatre Motets Pour Un Temps De Penitence ‘Four motets for a time of penitence’ by Francis Poulenc (1899–1963).  Poulenc wrote these motets in the late 1930s, as Europe faced the prospect of war and he rediscovered his Catholic faith.  They are powerful and emotional settings of Bible texts for Holy Week, including a dramatic depiction of the crucifixion scenes. Gaudeamus is enjoying the challenge of singing these pieces, with their dynamic range from very loud to as quiet as we can sing, and Poulenc’s complex harmony and rhythm.

O Sacrum Convivium ‘O sacred feast’ by Olivier Messiæn (1908–1992).  Messiæn was the organist of La Trinité church in Paris and wrote many works for the organ, but only this one choral work.  His music creates a religious atmosphere with static, slowly shifting harmony, rising to an ecstatic climax near the end to depict the promise of future glory.

Requiem, by Gabriel Fauré (1845–1924).  While the Charpentier piece is grand and formal, Fauré’s Requiem is intimate and personal, inspired by the memory of his parents, who he had recently lost.  This work takes us on a journey toward the light, ascending to paradise with the angels in the final movement.  With its lovely melodies and warm emotion, it is no surprise that Fauré’s Requiem has become a great favourite with both musicians and audiences.  We are pleased to be joined by the Leigh Baroque Players for instrumental accompaniment in this performance.

 

Future Dates

  • Saturday 1st June 2024 at Broomfield
  • Thursday 4th July 2024 at Leigh Art Trail

Recent Concerts

  • Star Of Wonder  Sunday 10th December 2023 at St Barnabas Church,Hadleigh.  A selection of Christmas carols and songs.
  • Barling Frost Fayre  Saturday 9th December 2023.  Festive fun and carol-singing in the open air!
  • RNLI Carol Concert  Wednesday 6th December 2023 at St Augustine’s Church, Thorpe Bay
  • Bandstand concert  Sunday 24th September 2023 at Priory Park, Southend
  • Evensong at Chelmsford Cathedral  29th July 2023
  • Music For A Summer’s Afternoon  22nd July 2023 at All Saints’ Church, Barling Magna.  We had a gloriously varied Summer Programme, along with cream teas, homemade cakes, and prosecco/pimms-a-like!
  • Baroque Masterpieces  15th April 2023 at St Alban the Martyr Church, Westcliff on Sea.  Handel, Dixit Dominus, J.S.Bach, Komm Jesu Komm, Astorga Stabat Mater.
  • Angel Voices  11th December 2022 at The Church of St Peter and St Paul, Church Road, Hockley.  Christmas Carols and Songs featuring the music of John Rutter
  • Barling Frost Fayre  10th December 2022 Carol Singing in the open air.
  • Sing We And Chant It!  24th September 2022 at St Nicholas Church, Canewdon.  A programme of madrigals, folk songs, anthems and more.
  • Bandstand concert  16th July 2022 at Priory Park, Southend.