The centrepiece of the evening is Brahms’ Ein deutsches Requiem — arranged by the composer for piano, four hands — exhibiting the chamber-like detail of the work, with Alison Gill and David M Harris as the accompanists. The Requiem, premiered in 1868, was likely inspired by the death of Brahms’ mentor Robert Schumann in 1856 and that of his own mother in 1865. Our baritone soloist will be Joshua Lane.
To begin the concert, we sing Clara Schumann’s ‘Abendfeier in Venedig’ (‘Evening celebration in Venice’). Written as the first of Drei gemischte Chöre (‘Three mixed choruses’), the piece reminds us of the close friendship between Clara and Brahms. Brahms’ exquisite cantata Schicksalslied (‘Song of Destiny’), often dubbed “Little Requiem’, is also arranged for four-part chorus and piano, four hands.
And the much-loved aria ‘I know that my Redeemer liveth’ from Handel’s Messiah, is sung by soprano Ana Dias. It was the last movement at the first performance of Brahms’ Requiem.
Our striking image is from Arnold Böcklin’s 1883 painting ‘Isle of the Dead’; Brahms greatly admired this Swiss symbolist painter’s work.
Join us for an intimate and moving evening, exploring destiny, mourning and hope.
TICKETS: £15/£10 Students/Under 16s free, available 16.09 onwards from choir members or ticketsource.
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