St Albans Choral Society celebrates its 75th anniversary with premiere performances

Composers Richard James Harvey and Liz Lane

Two contemporary choral works celebrating St Alban and the Martyrs will be performed in St Albans Cathedral on 23 November 2019 as part of a special concert marking the 75th anniversary of St Albans Choral Society.

The concert features the world premiere of The Martyrs’ Call – a cantata in stone by composer and organist Richard James Harvey, inspired by the polychrome statues of the Seven Martyrs in the Cathedral’s medieval niches. The statues, created by sculptor Rory Young, were installed in 2015. The work was commissioned by the family of the late Lady Maitland, Rory Young’s aunt, in accordance with her wishes.

The concert will also feature the first performance in the Cathedral of The Story of St Alban, by composer Liz Lane, for which a choir of children from local schools will join the Choral Society. The final work will be John Rutter’s Gloria.

The Very Reverend Jeffrey John, Dean of St Albans, said: ‘I am delighted that St Alban and the Martyrs will be celebrated in this special concert in the Cathedral, marking the 75th anniversary of St Albans Choral Society. I look forward to the premiere of Richard James Harvey’s new work, inspired by the statues of the Seven Martyrs in the nave screen, and to the first performance in the Cathedral of Liz Lane’s The Story of St Alban. The timing of this commemorative concert, in the year in which the Cathedral opens its new Welcome Centre, is impeccable.’

For more information and to book tickets:

www.choralsociety.com/concerts/

Originally posted at Composition:Today ©Red Balloon Technology