Colchester Chamber Choir - The Romantic Soul

Following Colchester Chamber Choir’s sell out and highly acclaimed performance in January of the Rachmaninov Vespers, the choir’s next concert invites you to step into the heady salons of the European belle époque and be entertained with a programme of exuberant and atmospheric part-songs. Featuring three major works by Fauré, including the famous Pavane, along with pieces from Rossini’s later years in Paris which invoke the world of his operas, the choir will be joined by the acclaimed pianist John Paul Ekins, who will also play popular piano works by both composers. Widely varied works by Berlioz, Clara Schumann, Stenhammar and Wolf complete the programme.

Roderick Earle says ‘This programme includes some of the finest pieces written for choir and piano to come out of the 19th and early 20th centuries. The choir is enjoying the challenge of singing in different styles and in five different languages! Vårnatt describes a Scandinavian spring night, whilst Les Djinns tells of malignant spirits swooping down onto a palace by the sea. Other pieces are inspired by the romantic city of Venice, the flirtations of young lovers and a one by a crazy ballet of ghosts. I guarantee that this programme is full of welcome surprises. To cap it all we have been fortunate to engage John Paul Ekins, a remarkable young pianist with a burgeoning career. Don’t miss it!’