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Dear Friends,
In our next pair of concerts in Kendal and Lancaster we explore the music of French composer Maurice Durufle, along with Gabriel Fauré, Estonian Arvo Pärt, and British composers Herbert Howells and Cecilia McDowall. The centrepiece of our concerts is the stunning Durulfé Requiem, in which the composer uses Gregorian melodies as the basis for his original musical invention. In this perfect companion piece, the Quatre Motets, Durulfé again fuses Gregorian chant with modern harmonies. Our programme includes Cantique de Jean Racine by Fauré, the Beatitudes by Arvo Pärt, Herbert Howell's joyful Hymn for St Cecilia and Cecilia McDowall's anthem Aurea Luce.
We will be joined by mezzo-soprano Rebecca Chandler and organist Ian Pattinson. Rebecca, who recently graduated from Trinity Laban Conservatoire with First Class Honours in Music and Performance and plans to pursue postgraduate studies in music, was a member of Levens choir and a Choral Scholar for 4 years. We look forward to welcoming her back! Ian Pattinson, Lancaster Priory organist, is well-known as a soloist and accompanist to choirs across the region and beyond.
Saturday 12 April 7.30 pm
The Parish Church of St George, Castle Street, KENDAL LA9 7AS
Sunday 13 April 3.00 pm
Ripley St Thomas CE Chapel, Ashton Road, LANCASTER LA1 4RS
FREE parking on site
Ticket £17, free to children and students, are available online levenschoir.net , on the door (subject to availability) and from choir members. We hope to see you at one of these performances. Please do share this message with others who may be interested.
This will be our first concert in the chapel of Ripley St Thomas, where the organ by Wilkinsons of Kendal underwent a complete refurbishment last year.
These concerts are dedicated to the memory of Margaret Jones, an important member of Levens Choir, who died in December last year. With her husband Ian, our first Music Director, Margaret was key to establishing the choir in 1975, and until just a few years ago was an active member of the choir, contributing to it musically and supporting Ian in countless ways. The choir was honoured to sing at Margaret's funeral.
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