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Spring Concert
Welcome to your digital concert programme.
Programme
Programme
Pergolesi - Stabat Mater
Pergolesi - Stabat Mater
Rutter - Requiem
Rutter - Requiem
Programme notes
Programme notes
Pergolesi - Stabat Mater
Pergolesi - Stabat Mater
The Stabat Mater is a medieval poem that describes the suffering of Jesus's mother Mary as she stands at the foot of the cross. It is unknown who wrote the original text, but Pergolesi's setting, written in 1736, is among the most haunting and moving compositions ever put to paper.
Transcendently beautiful, Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater, appears to be a deeply personal musical meditation on suffering and redemption, written by the 26-year-old composer as he himself lay dying of tuberculosis in a Franciscan monastery in the Neapolitan Spa town of Pozzuli.
Pergolesi’s original composition, which is most commonly performed, is scored for soprano and alto with a small string accompaniment. This evening London Welsh Chorale will be performing a version by British composer, Desmond Ratcliffe (1917 - 2001) in which he has taken some of the solos and duets and arranged them for SATB. We hope you think it as transcendentally beautiful as the original.
The work is divided into 13 movements:
1. Stabat mater dolorosa - chorus
2. Cujus animam gementem - soprano
3. O quam tristis et afflicta - chorus
4. Quae moerabat, et dolebat - alto
5. Quis est homo qui non fleret - chorus
6. Vidit suum dulcem natum - soprano
7. Eja mater, fons amoris - alto
8. Fac ut ardeat cor meum - chorus
9. Sancta mater, istud agas - soprano and alto
10. Fac ut portem Christi mortem - alto
11. Inflammatus, et accensus - chorus
12. Quando corpus morietur - chorus
13. Amen - chorus
Rutter - Requiem
Rutter - Requiem
Requiem was written in 1985 and first performed in October of that year. Following the precedent established by Brahms and Fauré, among others, it is not strictly a setting of the Requiem Mass as laid down in Catholic liturgy, but instead is made up of a personal selection of texts, some taken from the Requiem Mass and some from the 1662 Book of Common Prayer.
The seven sections of the work form an arch-like meditation on the themes of life and death: the first and last movements (Requiem aeternam and Lux aeternam) are prayers on behalf of all humanity, movements 2 and 3 (Out of the deep and The Lord is my shepherd) are psalms, 3 and 5 (Pie Jesu and Agnus Dei) are personal prayers to Christ, and the central Sanctus is an affirmation of divine glory.
Soloists and Biographies
Soloists and Biographies
Edward-Rhys Harry – Conductor FRSM FRSA
Edward-Rhys Harry – Conductor FRSM FRSA
An award-winning conductor and composer from Penclawdd on The Gower Peninsula, Edward has established himself both nationally and internationally as a choral clinician with a passion for vocal music of all genres regardless of whether that is at an amateur or professional level and has conducted at concert halls, opera houses, palaces, churches and cathedrals the world over.
His original compositions and arrangements can be heard on radio stations and streaming services throughout Europe and beyond and can be downloaded or bought from most music retailers.
He has multiple degrees from universities and conservatoires and is currently undertaking a second doctorate in musicology at Miami State University, USA. He was the first Welshman to obtain a degree in Choral Conducting (Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama).
He is in demand as a workshop leader and conference speaker across the UK and is devoted to the training and development of emerging choral conductors through his mentorship with several educational organisations, as well as championing new music and conducting education for choirs of lower voices.
He has been awarded fellowships of: The Fraternity of Saint Cecilia, the Royal Society of Musicians, the Royal Society of the Arts, the Guild of Musicians and Singers and the Worshipful Company of Musicians.
In August 2022 Dr Harry was the winner of the coveted Tlws Y Cerddor – the musicians’ medal at the National Eisteddfod of Wales (Tregaron) for his Welsh language chamber opera, Yr Islawr – The Basement – a murder mystery set in the basement of a high street department store!
His music is published by Oxford University Press, Boosey & Hawkes, Oriana Publications and Curiad Cyf., amongst others.
Also in August 2022, London Welsh Male Voice Choir were selected as the only choir in a group of 7 winners of the Classic FM Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Competition, with their recording of Dr Harry’s composition ‘A Blessing for Bendigeidfran’ – part of a larger work for male voices entitled ‘Four Welsh Psalms’ with bilingual words by Dr Grahame Davies.
In 2020 Edward was recognised for his ‘Outstanding Contribution to the Music of Wales’ by the Welsh Music Guild who awarded him the Glanville Jones Award.
Dr Harry is an ambassador for the men’s mental health charity, ‘blOKes’ and is the Musical Development and Wellbeing Manager for the international charity The Military Wives Choirs.
He is represented by Val Withams at Choral Connections Agency.
For more information please contact: www.choralconnections.com
Eiry Price – Soprano
Eiry Price – Soprano
Welsh soprano Eiry Price recently completed the 2024/25 season as an Associate Artist with Welsh National Opera. This year, she debuted the roles of Barbarina and covered Susanna in Le nozze di Figaro, Countess Ceprano in Rigoletto, and Second Niece in Peter Grimes. Eiry was a finalist in the Aldeburgh Festival’s Young Singers Competition, runner-up in the Pendine Voice of the Future at the Llangollen International Eisteddfod, and a finalist in the Welsh Singers Showcase 2024. She holds an MMus (Distinction) from the Royal College of Music and a BMus (Hons) from the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama. Now working as a freelance artist, Eiry is noted for her lyrical warmth and expressive stage presence, and is passionate about sharing Welsh music and culture with audiences across the UK and beyond.
Angharad Lewis – Mezzo-Soprano
Angharad Lewis – Mezzo-Soprano
Angharad Lewis was born in Australia and began her career with the role of Mabel in Pirates of Penzance at the age of 13. From there she went on to be chosen to compete inthe Operalia, then complete a Bachelor of Music (Performance) degree at the University of Western Australia and a Diploma of Opera at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. A highlight of her time there included performing at the Sydney Opera House in a staged production of Carmina Burana (Coro Piccolo) with the Australian Ballet Company.
Angharad has also participated in masterclasses with Richard Bonynge, Patrick Summers, Jan Hendrik-Rootering, Christopher Hogwood, Nelly Miricioiu, Rosalind Plowright, David Parry and Maestro Cilario. Had Dame Joan Sutherland choose her as the winner of the Oratorio Award of the Sydney Eisteddfod.
She has performed with Tobacco Factory, London Opera Players, Opera de Baugé and received a scholarship award for excellence, Opera Australia, Australian Ballet, West Australian Opera, Rockwell Opera, Guildford Opera, covered Turandot sections in Warner Bros Movie Mission Impossible 5, Holland Park Opera, Bath Opera, St Albans Opera.
Roles performed include: The Carmelites as Mother Marie, The Monitor & Mistress of Novices (Suor Angelica), Amneris (Aida), Carmen & Mercedes(Carmen), Suzuki (Madama Butterfly), Third Lady (Magic Flute), Zita (Gianni Schicchi) , Olga (Eugene Onegin) Public Opinion/Juno (Orpheus Down Under), Katisha (Mikado). Mabel (Pirates of Penzance), Casilda ( Gondoliers).
The British Sinfonietta
The British Sinfonietta
The British Sinfonietta is one of the UK’s leading independent professional orchestras. Since forming in 2010 the orchestra has been involved in a variety of engagements, including classical concerts, choral concerts, televised events, studio recording sessions and film screenings.
In recent years the orchestra has performed extensively in England, Scotland and Wales as well as visiting Western Europe. Highlights include the televised world premiere of Adiemus Colores by Sir Karl Jenkins at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, screenings of Casablanca at the Royal Opera House in London, Video Games Live in Glasgow, London and Manchester, a performance of Berlioz’ epic Requiem at Cheltenham Festival, and screenings of Home Alone, both in Denmark and at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
Choral concerts represent a substantial number of the orchestra’s concerts, with ongoing relationships with choirs around the UK, including choirs in Bristol, Cardiff, Carlisle, Gloucester, London, Pembrokeshire, Stafford, Swansea and Wiltshire.
The British Sinfonietta is managed by Absolute Music Services Ltd. and is available for concert engagements throughout the UK and worldwide.
Tel. 020 3005 4921
mail@absolutemusicservices.com
Bel Comeau – Organist
Bel Comeau – Organist
Bel Comeau is an organist, pianist and composer, active mainly in the classical and jazz worlds. Grounded in the European classical tradition, they were a chorister at Truro Cathedral as a child, and later graduated top of their year in music from Cambridge University.
At the age of 18 they won the Northern Ireland International Organ Competition; a couple of years later they won the Cambridge University Composition Competition, leading to a commission from the Britten Sinfonia. Their compositions and arrangements have been heard in the Royal Albert Hall, the Wigmore Hall and Birmingham Symphony Hall. They have performed as a solo recitalist in venues including Westminster Abbey and King’s College Chapel, Cambridge. They have played organ at the Royal Albert Hall several times including with indie rock band Wolf Alice, and as opener for Basement Jaxx. Their solo repertoire incorporates five centuries of the classical canon alongside repertoire from Bjork to Michel Legrand to Fats Waller and Herbie Hancock, as well as frequent improvisations on audience requests. They have been featured on BBC Radio 3’s In Tune programme. Their formal education also includes postgraduate study at Guildhall School of Music and Drama and the Hochschule für Musik und Tanz, Cologne.
More recently they favour musical spontaneity and improvisation across diverse musical fields, and increasing immersion in spaces that prioritise raw emotional expression over narrower technical criteria. They seek to unite the best of what the European classical tradition has to offer with a deconstruction of the limitations and exclusions often present in this world.
Upcoming projects include ensemble projects combining organ with musicians from jazz and hiphop scenes, and collaborations with drag artist Rizzla la Fizz.
Friends of the Chorale
Friends of the Chorale
The Chorale has for many years enjoyed the support of a wide group of Friends. We are delighted to have Lord Thomas of Gresford as the Honorary President of The Friends, with Vice-Presidents, Owain Arwel Hughes CBE, Dr Rhiannon Mathias & Prof Paul Mealor
Even a sell-out concert rarely covers the cost incurred in putting it on. Over an average year the Chorale promotes three major concerts in central London, giving work to many professional singers and orchestral players and enabling us to promote Welsh music and performance in the capital. There are three types of Friends Membership:
Supporter £75
Associate £150
Benefactor £350 and over
Friends receive free and discounted tickets, free programmes and acknowledgement of your support in every programme. If you attend at least three concerts in a year it is more cost effective to be a friend than not! You are also entitled to two free tickets if you successfully encourage someone else to become a Friend, or for a successful introduction to a LW Camerata engagement.
If you would like more information on "The Friends" or to become a member, please contact Jo Booth: friends@londonwelshchorale.org.uk
The London Welsh Chorale is a registered charity, so sponsors are able to benefit from gift aid on each donation. Registered Charity No.1014214.
Benefactors
Paul Foster
Lord Neil Kinnock
Hannah Roberts
Anonymous
Associates
John & Sally Leighton Williams
Ellie Brooks Shorland
Supporters
Kate Buchart
Sian Hendrie
Michael Ashdown
Janet Clow
Rachel Tudor Best
Shirley Fox
The London Welsh Chorale Committee
The London Welsh Chorale Committee
Chair Ruth Brooks
Vice Chair Zoê McMillan
Secretary Timothy Roberts
Treasurer David ‘The Bike’ Lawrence
Membership Secretary Lynne Tew
Concert Manager Alison Stacey
Voice Reps
Lindsey Carver (soprano )
Anusia Kotowicz ( alto)
Haydn Jones ( tenor and bass)
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