This year’s spring concert from Andover Chamber Choir charts the dramatic events leading up to Easter in words and music. Entitled ‘The Journey to Easter’, the story begins in Lent with its emphasis on preparation and penitence, moving on to Palm Sunday and Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
The next stage on the journey is Maundy Thursday with the Last Supper and soul-searching in the Garden of Gethsemane. The central events of Good Friday give way to the initially restrained celebration of the Resurrection on the Vigil of Easter and then to joyful Easter Day itself, all with music tailored to the days in question.
Conductor Bruce Randall says, “There is so much great music written for Lent and Holy Week which is rarely heard these days. The music we’re performing ranges from Tallis, Palestrina and Victoria in the 16th century to Purcell in the 17th, Gounod, Schubert, Tchaikovsky and Wesley in the 19th and Duruflé, Chilcott and Gjeilo in more recent times. Many of the pieces are quite short, but all this glorious music will serve to dramatise the narrative, supported by appropriate readings selected by English literature expert Prof. Michael Wheeler, who is chairman of the choir”.
The concert takes place on Saturday 12 April at St Michael & All Angels church, West Andover, beginning at 7.30 pm. Tickets are £15 on the door or £12 in advance from The Lights, Newbury Building Society or choir members. Under-16s are admitted free. Proceeds will go to the Andover Young Carers, a small charity providing vital support and respite to young carers in Andover and the surrounding area who have caring responsibilities that are inappropriate for their years.
Further information from Veronica Bacon, 01264 771285
