Thames Philarmonic Choir Christmas Concert

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Marking the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death with seasonal music

Thames Philharmonic Choir celebrates Christmas and the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death on 10 December in Kingston.

They mark Shakespeare’s 400th anniversary with Vaughan Williams’s Serenade to Music, a setting of words from Act V of The Merchant of Venice, comprising the discussion about music and the music of the spheres, composed in 1938 in honour of Henry Wood’s golden jubilee.

Italian composer and organist Giovanni Gabrieli (c.1555 – 1612) and Dutch composer, organist and pedagogue Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck (1562 – 1621) were two of the most influential musicians of their time, contributing significantly to the historic shift in musical style from Renaissance to Baroque, both in Venice and in northern Europe. Their respective settings of Hodie Christus natus est (This day Christ was born), the text of the Antiphon to the Magnificat for Vespers on Christmas Day, provide nicely contrasted examples of the changing styles.

Bryan Kelly was born in 1934 and his lively Abingdon Carols represent later 20th-century English music at its most approachable. His other compositions include settings of the canticles for Church of England Evensong,and a series of orchestral works.

Handel’s immortal Messiah needs little introduction; the Christmas music comes in Part One of this great and popular work.

Saturday 10 December 2016 7.30 pm
Open rehearsal 2.30 pm
All Saints’ Parish Church, Market Place, Kingston KT1 1JP (entrance via Market Place door)

Vaughan Williams Serenade to Music
Sweelinck Hodie Christus Natus Est
Bryan Kelly Abingdon Carols
Gabrieli Hodie Christus Natus Est
Handel Christmas music - Messiah

Soloists, all students from the Royal College of Music:
Soprano: Louise Fuller Alto: Rosanna Cooper
Tenor: Thomas Erlank Bass: Kieran Rayner

Thames Philharmonic Choir
Thames Festival Orchestra
Organist/Pianist: Stephen Disley
Conductor: John Bate

Tickets: £20, £16, £5 (restricted view)
Concessions: £18, £14.50 - 10% reduction on 8 or more full price tickets
Disabled friendly - accompanying carers admitted free (please notify box office for wheelchair access)

Box Office: 07522 524081 or from www.thamesphilchoir.org.uk
Concert tickets also available at the door

October 12, 2016