French Romantic Music

Lymington Choral Society presents a seasonal programme of French romantic music for choir and orchestra. They are joined by three young soloists from The Royal College of Music, London. Local school children and the audience are invited to participate in some French carols.

To celebrate the bicentenary of the composer's birth the main work is Gounod's opulent setting of his Saint Cecilia Mass, with a large orchestra though not the six harps originally called for! Part Two of Berlioz's The Childhood of Christ was the first (1850) of the eventual three parts. With its haunting Shepherds' Farewell written in an archaic style it still stands well on its own.

Fauré's deservedly popular Cantique de Jean Racine is performed in its full orchestral version, and two pieces by César Franck complete the programme: the original version of Panis angelicus for soprano, organ, harp and cello and his rousing orchestral version of Psaume 150 (sung in French)