Music of England
Sunday, June 9
7:00 p.m., Sanctuary
Music by Stanford, Briggs, Parry, and Gardiner
Organ recital by David Briggs to follow Evensong
Briggs has directed or accompanied hundreds of Evensong services during his tenure at Gloucester Cathedral, and we are looking forward to his return visit. It is well known that choral singing is almost a national pastime in England and Wales, and our choirs are preparing to sing some of the most significant British choral works as part of this Evensong service. This will include Stanford’s Evening Service in G (Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis), Parry’s Hear my Words, Parry’s I Was Glad, and Balfour Gardiner’s Evening Hymn. These works represent the apex of the late Victorian and Edwardian style of choral writing, and they will inspire all those who attend this service whose roots go back to the English Reformation. Our church has also commissioned a new choral work from David Briggs – a setting of Psalm 146 for choir, bells, and organ.