Howard Goodall ‘Eternal Light’
Concert details
We are delighted to be revisiting Goodall’s inspirational Eternal Light, which we last performed in 2015.
Commissioned by London Musici to celebrate its 20th anniversary as both a choral-orchestral-dance piece for London Musici, The Choir of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford, and Rambert Dance Company (Artistic Director: Mark Baldwin) and as a choral-orchestral work, it received its première at The Lowry in Salford on the 25th September 2008.
Talking about composing the work, Howard Goodall said – ‘Most requiems are based, one way or another, on the medieval church’s Mass for the Dead, which is made up of a series of sections (‘movements’) beginning with the ‘Kyrie Eleison’ (Greek meaning Lord have mercy) and ending with ‘In Paradisum’ (Into paradise). Although the traditional requiem text calls for ‘eternal peace, rest and light’ for those who have died, it also emphasises judgement and everlasting damnation for anyone who transgresses the Roman Catholic Church’s code of behaviour, as seen from the perspective of the Middle Ages. I did not feel at ease with this approach to the appalling pain of loss and grief, so in an attempt to provide some solace for the living that mourn, I stripped down the old Latin texts to a few phrases in each movement and laid beside them words from English poems from across the last 500 years’.
Our programme will also include Goodall’s setting of The Lord is my Shcpherd, perhaps best known as the theme tune to ‘The Vicar of Dibley’, John Sanders’ immensely moving Reproaches, and James MacMillan’s setting of Psalm 96, A New Song.
Our Soloists will be Helen Bailey and Jim Clements, and instrumental accompaniment will be provided by Stefan Catto (Piano), Paul Stubbings (Organ) and Victoria Davies (Harp). Victoria was the Harpist on the EMI CD recording of Eternal Light.
Tickets are now on sale, £14 for adults and £5 for students and children. Available from Choir members, from our Ticket Secretary on 01304 620560 or online here.
Drinks will be available to purchase after the concert.
Please note that our concert venue on this occasion is Holy Trinity Church, St Mary’s Avenue, Cliftonville, CT9 3TN, and not Holy Trinity Church Broadstairs.