HOLY TRINITY CHURCH
Wednesday, 4 July 1990
7.30 p.m.
BRITTEN:
REJOICE IN THE LAMB
BERNSTEIN:
CHICHESTER PSALMS
Music for Harp and Organ
GUILDFORD PHILHARMONIC CHOIR
HARP:
CARYL THOMAS
ORGAN:
DAVID SWINSON
CONDUCTOR:
NEVILLE CREED
Concert sponsored by National Westminster Bank,
Gordon Hakim Chartered Accountants, Smith Associates and
Regency and West of England Building Society
GEL
& NatWest
The Action Bank
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Programme: £6.00., (£3.00 concessions)
By kind permission of the Vicar of Holy Trinity Church,
The Reverend Doctor Kenneth Stevenson.
The Guildford Philharmonic Choir wishes to
acknowledge with grateful thanks sponsorship received
from National Westminster Bank, Gordon Hakim
Chartered Accountants, Smith Associates and Regency
and West of England Building Society.
PROGRAMME
REJOICE IN THE LAMB
OP 30
Benjamin Britten (1913 - 1976)
Treble:
JONATHAN BEVAN
Alto:
NEIL WORSEY
Tenor:
NICHOLAS DYKES
Bass:
NIGEL EDWARDS
(The soloists are all members of Guildford Cathedral Choir)
The text for this Cantata is taken from a poem entitled ‘Jubilate Agno’ by Christopher
Smart - an eighteenth century poet. Smart was deeply religious, but suffered from mental
illness and wrote this while in an asylum. His idiosyncratic idiom is sometimes hard to
fathom but there are flashes of genius which foreshadow William Blake.
The work was written in 1943 for Walter Hussey of St. Matthew’s Church, Northampton.
Its main theme is the worship of God by all created beings and things, each in its own way.
There are ten short sections. At the opening, the choir intones “Rejoice in God, O ye
Tongues” and then, in a lively section, Old Testament figures are linked with various
animals in the praise of God. After a quiet but intense ‘Hallelujah’ the treble soloist
introduces the cat Jeoffry as an example of God’s work, while the alto soloist refers to his
enemy, the mouse. In the next section the tenor soloist presents flowers as “the poetry of
Christ” and this leads to Smart’s confession of his sins and hope for deliverance. The bass
soloist then directs us towards ‘M for Music’ and the choir sings of music’s praise of God.
The ‘Hallelujah’ returns to end the work.
MUSIC FOR HARP Caryl Thomas
‘VARIATIONS ON A THEME
BY MOZART’
Mikhail Glinka (1804 - 1857)
Glinka lived in St Petersburg where he fell in love with a young harpist to whom he
dedicated these variations. He frequently used variation technique in his compositions and
the ‘theme’ in this case is taken from an aria in ‘Don Giovanni’.
‘LA SOURCFE’
Alphonse Hasselmans (1845 - 1912)
Hasselmans is most famous for his part in the harp revival at the turn of the century. He
taught many famous harpists at the Paris Conservatoire and Caryl Thomas is a pupil
of one
of these. He wrote mainly ‘salon’ music and “La SourceTM i
‘MANDOLINE’
of
his most popular items.
Elias Parish Alvers (1808 - 1849)
Berlioz referred to Parish Alvers as ‘the Liszt of the harp’ as he was such a virtuoso. Most
of his music matches this reputation and is of great difficulty. He was born in Devon and
travelled widely, eventually settling in Vienna where he first heard a mandolin and was
inspired to write this piece.
INTERVAL
MUSIC FOR ORGAN David Swinson
‘SCHERZO’ FROM SYMPHONY NO. 5
Louis Vierne (1870 - 1937)
Vierne took Widor as his example in writing six symphonies for organ based on the
romantic symphonic ideal. The fifth symphony is his most expansive with rigorous thematic
development in the outer movements. The central ‘Scherzo’ provides the necessary light
relief, but this is somewhat tinged by Vierne’s use of chromatic harmony.
Jean Langlais (b.1907)
‘FETES’
Alongside Messiaen, Langlais is the foremost living composer of French organ music.
However, unlike his rather individualistic contemporary, he follows more closely the
tradition of Franck and Vierne composing in an almost improvisatory fashion. ‘Fetes’ is an
occasional virtuoso piece combining great rhythmic drive with modal harmony and an
overwhelming sense of bravura.
‘CHICHESTER PSALMS’
Maestoso ma energico:
Andante con moto, ma tranquillo:
Prelude - Peacefully flowing:
Alto:
Harp:
Percussion:
Organ:
Leonard Bernstein (b. 1918)
Psalm 108, verse 2, Psalm 100
Psalm 23, Psalm 2 verses 1-4
Psalm 131, Psalm 133 verse 1
NEIL WORSEY
CARYL THOMAS
SIMON CARRINGTON
DAVID SWINSON
Like ‘Rejoice in the Lamb’, the ‘Chichester Psalms’ was commissioned by Walter Hussey.
It was written for the 1965 Southern Three Choirs Festival when Hussey was Dean of
Chichester Cathedral. The text is sung in Hebrew, like the composer’s “Kaddish”
Symphony. Three complete psalms have been chosen which are combined with verses from
three others. The first movement opens with a forcefully declaimed chorale which gives
way to an exuberant setting of Psalm 100 - “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord”. In the
middle movement a simple melody for alto unfolds to the words of Psalm 23 which is
interrupted by a forceful setting of Psalm 2 “Why do the nations rage”. The movement
ends with a juxtaposition of the two elements. After a Prelude, the third movement
continues with a peaceful setting of Psalm 131. At the end, the chorale returns, bringing the
'
‘Chichester Psalms’ to a tranquil conclusion.
—
—
GUILDFORD
PHILHARMONIC
CHOIR
The Guildford Philharmonic Choir was formed by Guildford Borough Council in order to
perform the major choral repertoire with the Guildford Philharmonic Orchestra. The choir
made its first recording in 1973 of Finzi’s ‘Intimations of Immortality’ with the Guildford
Philharmonic and in 1979 recorded Hadley’s ‘The Trees so High’ with the Philharmonia
Orchestra, both recordings being conducted by Vernon Handley. The choir regularly
performs with leading British conductors including Sir Charles Groves and Sir David
Willcocks. In 1990, the choir will visit Southern Germany to perform Handel’s ‘Messiah’
with the Freiburg Bach Choir and Orchestra.
Details about joining the choir may be obtained from Kathy Atkins, Guildford Philharmonic
Orchestra, The Lodge, Allen House Grounds, Chertsey Street, Guildford, Surrey.
Tel: Guildford (0483) 444666
NEVILLE CREED
Conductor
Neville Creed began his conducting career whilst a choral scholar at Trinity College,
Cambridge, and then became Director of Choral Music at Tiffin School, Kingston-uponThames. In 1986 he was awarded a scholarship to study conducting at the Guildhall
School of Music where he won the Ricordi Conducting Prize.
Neville Creed became Chorus Master of the Guildford Philharmonic Choir and the
Bournemouth Symphony Chorus in 1987. In 1988 he won the second prize in the first
International Choral Conducting Competition in Italy. During the next few months he will
be conducting in Switzerland and Denmark as well as giving concerts with the Royal
Philharmonic ‘Pops’ Orchestra and the RPO in the Exeter Festival.
CARYL THOMAS
Harp
Caryl Thomas graduated from the Welsh College of Music and Drama and New York
University. She has been awarded many scholarships and prizes including a major prize at
the International Harp Contest in Jerusalem. She has performed to critical acclaim
throughout Europe, the United States, Russia and Japan, and has appeared as concerto
soloist with the BBC Welsh Symphony Orchestra, the London Mozart Players, the
Bournemouth Sinfonietta and the Mozarteum of Salzburg. As well as broadcasting
regularly on radio and television, she has recorded the Mozart Flute and Harp Concerto
with the London Philharmonic and has recently completed a solo disc entitled “Claire de
lune” and a selection of chamber works with the Prometheus Ensemble called “French
Impressions”.
DAVID SWINSON
Organ
After beginning his musical career as a chorister at Magdalen College, Oxford, David
Swinson studied at the Royal College of Music and Cambridge University where he was
organ scholar at Jesus College. Distinctions for organ playing include five major prizes at
the Royal College of Music, a scholarship from the Countess of Munster Trust and a place
in the final of the 1989 Royal College of Organists performer of the year competition. In
1990 he made his first solo tour giving concerts in Southern Germany, and in 1991 he will
be touring Scandinavia and North Germany. David is also active as a choral conductor as
Master of the Choristers at Croydon Parish Church and Director of the Tudor Singers of
London. He lives in Guildford and is Assistant Director of Music at the Royal Grammar
School.
SIMON CARRINGTON
Percussion
Simon Carrington won a Shell LSO scholarship in 1989 and studied at the Royal College
of Music. He has led a short distinguished career so far - on trial as Principal Timpanist
with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and more recently as Principal
Percussionist with the London Philharmonic Orchestra.
Since leaving college he has worked with most of the leading London Orchestras including
Principal Timpanist with both London Symphony Orchestra and Philharmonia.
SINOG
WIiIlIH
1 HE
GUILDFORD*"PHILHARMONIC
CHOIR
Experience the exhilaration of singing in a chorus of 150 voices with the
highly acclaimed Guildford Philharmonic Orchestra under internationally
famous conductors. Concerts are given in Guildford’s Civic Hall with
occasional visits elsewhere. Travel, and contact with foreign choirs is
arranged where possible, and in 1990 the choir will visit Southern Germany
to perform with the Freiburg Bach Choir and the Orchestra. The Choir has
recorded works by Finzi and Hadley with the Guildford Philharmonic
Orchestra under Vernon Handley.
Rehearsals are held each Monday evening (7.30 - 9.30) in the Methodist
Hall, Woodbridge Road, Guildford, with Neville Creed - one of Britain’s
leading Chorus Masters.
If you have a good, but not necessarily trained voice, why not apply for an
audition?
APPLICATION
FORM
To: Kathy Atkins, Guildford Philharmonic Choir, The Lodge,
Allen House Grounds, Chertsey Street, Guildford, Surrey GU1 4HL
I wish to apply for an audition to join the Guildford Philharmonic Choir.
Name:
Address:
Voice:
Tapestry - Recital
Programme includes works by:
ARNE, BLISS, MAHLER, SCHUBERT, IVOR NOVELLO &
JEROME KERN
Tickets £6.00 (£3.00., OAP’s and children)
AVAILABLE FROM TOURIST INFORMATION OFFICE, UNDERCROFT, GUILDFORD,
TEL: GUILDFORD (0483) 444007
SUNDAY 8 JULY 1990 at 7.00 p.m.
Music for a Summer Evening at Clandon Park
- in the Marquee
I Crisantemi
Violin Concerto No. 3 in G
Puccini
Mozart
The Lark Ascending
Symphony No. 83 in G minor (The Hen)
Vaughan Williams
Haydn
GUILDFORD PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
LUIGI DE FILIPPI (Violin)
GRANT LLEWELLYN (Conductor)
PICNIC IN THE GROUNDS/CHAMPAGNE BAR
Tickets: £12.00 and £8.00
Black Tie optional
Available from the Tourist Information Office, Undercroft, Guildford. Tel: (0483) 444007 and
by POST ONLY from National Trust (Booking Office),
Clandon Park, West Clandon, Guildford GU4 7RQ.
Cheques to be made payable to National Trust - please enclose a SAE for reply.
NEW SEASON’S SUBSCRIPTION SERIES
EXCITING HIGHLIGHTS
The Rite of Spring, Rachmaninov Second Symphony, Tchaikovsky Evening,
Mozart Bi-centennial Celebration Concert, The Dream of Gerontius, etc.
Full details available from: Guildford Philharmonic Orchestra Office,
The Lodge, Allen House Grounds, Chertsey Street, Guildford, Surrey GU1 4HL
Tel: Guildford (0483) 444666
6/90 CSAD228A