The Chandos Singers, conducted by Malcolm Hill, are one of Bath’s leading chamber choirs. Their most recent concert took place in Magdalen Chapel in March; works performed included a dramatic ballad by Robert Southey, paired by scholar Ernest Hawkins with music by Purcell, and a sequence of exciting but little-known psalm settings by Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck (1562-1621).
The choir will give the first performance of bass Paul Feldwick’s 10-minute cantata telling the story of the Rev John Paul Porter, who had an experience at Southcot House, Lyncombe Hill in 1790 which had lasting effects both for him and for the Baptist Church in Bath.
Vivaldi’s joyous setting of Psalm 109, Dixit Dominus, alternates movements of block harmonies and very fast-moving runs with intricate solos and duets.
We also include the beautiful short cantata Soir sur la plaine by the French composer Lili Boulanger, who died at the age of 24 in 1918.
Franco-Flemish composer Pierre de la Rue died on 20th November 1518; we will be performing a selection of his motets including Ave Regina coelorum and Laudate Dominum.
As 24th November was originally the Feast of St John of the Cross (1542-91), Spanish mystic and Doctor of the Church, Chandos will also be performing a selection of music for his feast-day, including works by Palestrina (Justus ut palma), Guerrero (O doctor optime), Giovanni Briccio (In medio Ecclesiae of 1630) and Bruckner (Os justi).
The concert will be held in the serene surroundings of the Magdalen Chapel on Holloway, Bath. A chapel is known to have existed on this site in the 11th century, and a leper hospital was built close by in the 12th. Both were under the care of the Abbey monks. The current building is 15th century. Despite severe bomb damage in 1942, it remains an active centre of worship.
Interval refreshments will be available.