‘GLORIA’ handbill

Bearsden Choir’s last concert this season will repeat a great formula tried out last year. We shall be combining with Chorus Niagara all the way from Canada to form a huge choral force to sing in Paisley Abbey on Wednesday 15th May. Chorus Niagara are undertaking a tour of Scotland, singing in Inverness first and perhaps elsewhere before combining forces with us.

 

The programme comprises Beethoven’s Mass in C and Howard Goodall’s Eternal Light. More details can be found on the concert handbill.

The music for Beethoven’s Mass is very faithful to the words in respect of louds and softs; declamation (Laudamus Te, etc) and pleading (Miserere nobis, etc), reverence (Adoramus Te, etc) and hope (Et resurrexit). It is beautiful Beethoven and the choir is very enthusiastic about it. We last sang it in 1982, a memorable performance it was. (19% of the Choir, 19 of us, remember it well!)

Howard Goodall’s Eternal Light is quite different. Composed in 2008, as a piece to accompany dancing (Ballet Rambert at Sadlers Wells) it is a little similar to John Rutter’s Requiem. It contains ten movements, some in Latin, and some in English. Some contain both: the opening movement is the Kyrie, interspersed with ‘Close Now Thine Eyes…’. The music is not difficult; it is very easy on the ear. At times, it is exquisitely beautiful in its cadences and its soaring sweeps. The fourth movement is an encouraging reworking of John Henry Newman’s ‘Lead Kindly Light’. This is probably its third outing in Scotland. We have extended an invitation to Howard to be present, but this is not certain.

Accommodating a choir of around 150 in Paisley has been a bit of an exercise. Because of the Pulpit and the Lectern restricting numbers, the combined choir will extend to 12 or 13 rows (being wasp-waisted!!). However, with a total of around 150 singers, there should be a terrific sound filling the space of Paisley Abbey.

If you are free on Wednesday 15th May and would like to hear a very large choir perform the Beethoven’s and Howard Goodall’s music set out above, beat a path to Paisley Abbey for 7.30pm. There will be tickets at the door if you have not purchased in advance. You will also well rewarded with wonderful music and be so glad that you made the effort to come along. Full details can be found on the handbill attached.

There is no difficulty in car parking – stacks of spaces.

Contact Chris Sanders 0141 942 7519