The Holst Singers, directed by Stephen Layton, will be coming to Waltham Abbey Church on 15th June to present a programme of 20th Century choral music by Walton, Howells, Pärt, Britten and Poluenc.

The Holst Singers is one of Britain's foremost choirs, described by the BBC as "a leading chorus on the international stage". Awarded with an MBE for services to classical music in October 2020, Stephen Layton is one of the most sought-after conductors of his generation. Often described as the finest exponent of choral music in the world today, his ground-breaking approach has had a profound influence on choral music over the last 30 years. His interpretations have been heard from Sydney Opera House to the Concertgebouw, from Tallinn to São Paolo, and his recordings have won or been nominated for every major international recording award.

Programme
Herbert Howells: A hymn for St Cecilia
Benjamin Britten: Hymn to St Cecilia
Francis Poulenc: Litanies à la Vierge noire
Francis Poulenc: Quatre petites prières de saint François d'Assise
Arvo Pärt: Which was the son of…
Arvo Pärt: Seven Magnificat Antiphons
William Walton: The Twelve

Francis Poluenc Litanies à la Vierge noire for upper voices and organ is an ethereally beautiful yet powerfully expressive plea to the Virgin for mercy. His exquisite Quatre petites prières de saint François d'Assise for lower voices sets monastic melodies with his distinctive luscious harmony. William Walton's The Twelve is an exhilarating work, packed with drama and contrasts. After it opens with a striking bass solo, at the heart of the piece is a beautiful soprano duet, leading to an exuberant finale. The virtuosic organ part will be played by Jeremy Cole.

At the centre of the programme is Arvo Pärt's Seven Magnificat Antiphons, setting the traditional 'O' advent antiphons (O Wisdom, O Adonaii, O root of Jesse, O Key of David, O Morning Star, O King of the Nations and O Emmaneul) in Pärt's distinctive 'tintinnabuli' (or 'ringing of bells') style, where rhythmic, harmonic and melodic elements are used in simple repeating structures to give the music a powerfully mesmerising and intensely spiritual impact. Another work by Pärt, 'which was the son of…' takes an unusual text from Luke's gospel that lists the full ancestry of Jesus (all 50 generations of it) and creates a lively engaging work full of colour and contrast that will certainly raise a smile.

Please join us for an evening of wonderful music in Waltham Abbey Church.

Tickets: https://go.evvnt.com/2402054-0?pid=2735

Price:
General Admission: GBP 35.00