|
|
|
Monteverdi Vespers - Saturday 13th March 2010
Bath Abbey
The Chantry Singers
and
The Parley of Instruments
Philippa Hyde & Faye Newton - sopranos
Joseph Cornwell & Tom Raskin - tenors
Jimmy Holliday & Andrew Kidd - basses
Conducted by Elizabeth Bates
Monteverdi's fabulous Vespers, performed by the Chantry Singers in their last season, with wonderful soloists and the accompaniment of the Parley of Instruments. All this in the inspirational setting of Bath Abbey, the rebuilding of which was largely completed in the year after the Vespers first publication.
This was the Choir's last concert before the October Bach Festival, and it was rapturously greeted by a big audience in Bath Abbey on Saturday 13th March 2010.
|
|
Welcome Yule! - 19th December 2009
The Pump Room
with Peter O'Hagan (piano) and John Cooper (saxophones)
"......a carefully crafted Christmas miscellany of words and music, assembled by conductor Elizabeth Bates with her customary deftness of touch."
"...John Cooper’s saxophones, soprano, alto and tenor, brought a different dimension to the concert, with an eclectic range of pieces.... . It was great playing and showed us the versatility of the instrument in an unfamiliar context."
".....the choir in confident cheerful voice, handling the changes of style and mood with positive assurance, the evening found just the right balance and we all went home still humming the last tune." - Peter Lloyd Williams
|
|
The Two Antonios: Lotti and Vivaldi - Saturday 10th October 2009
at St John’s RC Church South Parade Bath at 7.30pm
With the Bradford Baroque
and soloists Jane Hunt and Katharine Adams - sopranos; Penelope Davies - Alto;
Joe Baker and Matthew Judd - tenors; Niall Hoskin - Bass
"We heard Lotti's Requiem which combines the polyphony of the Renaissance with the more elaborate Baroque style in a series of short, inter-connected movements. Its variety lies in the skilful combinations of voices and instruments in different groups, rather than in dynamic shading: this was beautifully illustrated by choir, soloists and players who produced a coherent balanced sound, moving smoothly between solos, small groups and full choir."
"Conductor Elizabeth Bates can be immensely satisfied with the quality of the evening's music: both choir and the excellent Bradford Baroque Band were in prime form, controlled, well modulated – an excellent partnership. "
(Words from Peter Lloyd Williams' review)
|
|
Choral Music from the New World - 11th July 2009
at The Church of St Michael Without, Broad Street, Bath
Music by Lauridsen, Padilla, Thompson, Tippet and Whitacre
It was a refreshing experience to find a choral programme with so little European music in it! The main work in the concert, Missa Ego flos campi, comes from the pen of the sixteenth centuryMexican composer, Juan Gutiérrez de Padilla.
Between movements of the Mass were music of particular beauty from modern North America. Eric Whitacre and MortonLauridsen are leading lights in the art of writing contemplative sacred music. Michael Tippett was inspired to write exquisite settings of Five Sprituals.
|
|
Durufle and Handel - 14th May 2009
in Bath Abbey
Requiem by Maurice Duruflé, and a selection of much loved Handel choruses, sung in collaboration with Chorus Niagara from Canada, and their Conductor, Robert Cooper.
This was a notable occasion for the Chantry Singers, welcoming a distinguished choir from North America to sing with them in the Abbey. The concert was also a charity fund-raiser, and cheques for £400 each were sent to Julian House and Live Music Now.
The Durufle was, by common consent, a masterly performance, but for the Handel choruses the visitors seemed a little under-rehearsed.
|
|
Joseph Haydn Bicentenary Concert - 7th March 2009
in Bath Abbey
the Chantry Singers with Bath Phil
Ruby Hughes soprano
Catherine King mezzo,
Daniel Auchincloss tenor
Jonathan Gunthorpe baritone
The ‘Nelson’ Mass, is perhaps the best known of all Haydn's Masses and calls for a large orchestra and four soloists, with the choir playing a major rôle. The ‘Te Deum’ is also a tour de force and ‘Insanae et Vanae Curae’, is a short, but spectacular choral masterpiece.
The Bath Phil were accompanying and were also heard on their own in Symphony 88 in G major, and the quality of their playing almost matched a superb performance by the choir.
|
|
Welcome Yule! - 20th December 2008
The Pump Room
with Peter O'Hagan (piano) and John Cooper (saxophones)
"......a carefully crafted Christmas miscellany of words and music, assembled by conductor Elizabeth Bates with her customary deftness of touch."
"...John Cooper’s saxophones, soprano, alto and tenor, brought a different dimension to the concert, with an eclectic range of pieces....
. It was great playing and showed us the versatility of the instrument in an unfamiliar context."
".....the choir in confident cheerful voice, handling the changes of style and mood with positive assurance, the evening found just the right balance and we all went home still humming the last tune."
(Words from Peter Lloyd Williams' review)
|
|
Church, Court and Theatre - October 18th 2008
St John the Evangelist South Parade
With the Bradford Baroque
and soloists Jane Hunt, Stephen Harvey, Jeremy Kenyon and Stephen Foulkes
An excellent evening of wonderful music was enjoyed by a sizeable audience in the Gothic Revival church in South Parade. As Peter Lloyd Williams said in the Bath Chronicle :
"It was a memorable coming together of this fine choir, as well organised and balanced as ever and fine playing under Elizabeth Bates’ polished direction. An appreciative audience felt a real spirit of uplift amid the current gloom."
|
|
'The Keys of Heaven - June 28th 2008 at 7.30pm
St Michael Without Broad Street Bath
Our first concert in the newly re-furbished church of St Michael in Broad Street Bath. A varied collection of inspirational music from French and European masters, explored the theme 'The Keys of Heaven' in celebration of the following day's feast of St Peter and
St Paul. A good audience enjoyed both the music and the setting, as we said goodbye to our popular and talented accompanist, Mark Swinton, who is leaving to take up the post of Music Director at Kendal church in Cumbria.
|
|
Bach Festival Weekend - April 18th -20th 2008
Bath Abbey Guildhall St John's South Parade
Six concerts of astonishing variety and wonderful musicianship, celebrating the work of J S Bach and his remarkable lineage. The well-supported series of events was described by the Bath Chronicle as 'small but beautiful'. Audiences agreed, and the Abbey concert on 19th April must have been one of the high spots of Bath's musical year.
Nicholas Anderson, in 'Early Music Today' magazine, reviewed much of the Festival in the June/July edition, and concluded: "All in all, a considerable success and, as anyone who has ever mounted a programme of three or more of Bach's cantatas knows full well, no mean feat. More please."
|
|
Welcome Yule - 22nd December 2008
The Pump Room - Bath
A full house enjoyed an engaging mix of old, new, familiar and unusual to celebrate the Christmas season. It was generally agreed that the choir was on fine form, and we were delighted to welcome back our friend, pianist Peter O'Hagan, and Nick Baron on the marimba.
|
|
Music from Naples - Saturday 20th October 2007 at 7.30 pm
St. John the Evangelist South Parade Bath
Dixit Dominus - Alessandro Scarlatti
Miserere - Francesco Scarlatti
Magnificat - Francesco Cavalli
With the Bradford Baroque Band Director: Steven Hollas
Conductor: Elizabeth Bates
|
|
Folksong and Dance - 30th June 2007
The Wiltshire Music Centre - Bradford 0n Avon An eclectic mix of folk song and dances from diverse sources and countries.
Piazzolla - Ángel Dances
Brahms - Liebeslieder Walzer
Bartók - Four Slovak Folksongs
Brahms - Five Hungarian Dances for piano duet
Ginastera - Three Argentinian dances
Folksongs from the British Isles
Tessa Davies (soprano) Jane Hunt (soprano) Joe Baker (tenor)
Piano - Maria Angel Garcia with Tom Worley
Conductor - Elizabeth Bates
|
|
Gala Concert - 5th May 2007
Bath Abbey
A concert to celebrate the re-ordering of St Michael's Church, Broad Street, Bath, and to help with fund-raising for the works.
FAURÉ - Requiem
Mendelsohn - Chorus from 'Elijah'
Haydn - Chorus from 'The Creation'
Handel - Choruses from 'The Messiah'
Mozart - from the Requiem
Soloists and Trio from the Choir
Organ music by Bach and Widor from Mark Swinton FRCO
Conductor - Elizabeth Bates
|
|
Celebration! - 17 March 2007
Bath Abbey
HANDEL / Dixit Dominus / Coronation Anthem
Oboe Concerto soloist Gail Hennessy
HEINICHEN Mass no. 9 in D major
Philippa Hyde – soprano
Jane Hunt – soprano
Polly May – alto
Ben Johnson – tenor
Dawid Kimberg – bass
The Parley of Instruments – director Peter Holman
|
|
Welcome Yule! - 20th December 2006
The Pump Room
Our usual Christmas concert which celebrates a huge miscellany of seasonal music.
|
|
A Blend of Buxtehude and Bach - 14th October 2006
St. John's South Parade
Bradford Baroque Band, director Steven Hollas
Der Herr ist mit Mir
Das Neugebor'ne Kindelein
Magnificat
Heut triumphieret Gottes Sohn
plus a selection of, J. S. Bach's, finest chorales
|
|
Double Take - 1st July 2006
St Mary’s Bathwick
A pairing of texts by ancient and modern composers
'...just to say how much I enjoyed last night's concert. I was so impressed by the lovely programme, the sound, the blend, the balance - everything - I really enjoyed it. I am very proud of the choir!'
Jane Fletcher
|
|
Magnificat - CPE Bach - 25th March 2006
Bath Abbey
The Beginning of Sorrows - Edwin Roxburgh
Requiem - Fauré
|
|
Welcome Yule! - 21st December 2005
The Pump Room
It is a great pleasure to be involved in the Carol Concert - there is such a special atmosphere to these occasions in the Pump Room. The programme was musically demanding yet rewarding.
Peter O'Hagan (January 2006)
|
|
Bach Festival Week - October 2005
Holburne Museum, Bath Abbey, Assembly Rooms and Guildhall
18 events over a week, celebrating the masterly creativity of the Baroque period’s greatest composer.
Recitals, masterclass, chamber music, choral works and much more.
Our most ambitious festival to date, and, by general agreement, an outstanding success.
|
|
The Italian Connection - 5th March 2005
Bath Abbey
Vivaldi's Gloria, Draghi's Ode to Saint Cecilia
|
|
Welcome Yule! - 22nd December 2004
The Pump Room
Music for Christmas
Our popular blend of old and new, familiar and newly-discovered.
|
|
A to Z - 16th October 2004
St John's Church, South Parade, Bath
Arne, Albinoni, Zelenka
Enjoy discovering rarely heard Baroque composers!
|
|
In Ecclesia - 10th July 2004
St. Mary's Church Bathwick
Schütz, Haydn and Kodàly
A varied mix of German, Austrian and Hungarian sacred Music
|
|
Brahms - A German Requiem - 20th March 2004
Bath Abbey
A collaborative concert with the Bristol Bach Choir
Soloists: Catherine Bott (Soprano) and Michael George (Bass-Baritone)
Bath Philharmonia
|
|
Music for Christmas - 20th December 2003
The Pump Room
An eclectic mix of unusual seasonal music. If you are tired of 'the old favourites', here is an attractive alternative!
|
|
The Salzburg Connection - 11th October 2003
St. John The Evangelist, South Parade
Requiems by Biber and Mozart
Bradford Baroque Band
Rebecca Rudge and Jane Hunt sopranos
Caroline Low, alto, Ciaran O'Keeffe tenor
Stephen Foulkes bass
|
|
A Treasury of English Music - 28th June 2003
St. John The Evangelist, South Parade
1490-2003
Byrd, Finzi, Rutter
Taverner, Vaughan Williams, Tomkins
Pearsall, Parry, Ireland
|
|
Bach Festival Weekend - 28th - Sunday 30th March 2003
Various venues in Bath
Outline Programme
Comments
Press Reviews
Festival Choir
|
|
Music for Christmas - 21st December 2002
Pump Room, Bath
Claire Holyoake ~ Clarinet
Peter O'Hagan ~ Piano
also featuring:
Bath Young Musician of the Year
Burgess, Calvisius, Handl, Hurd, Lassus, Praetorius, McCombie
|
|
The Golden Age of the Venetian Baroque - 26th October 2002
St John the Evangelist, South Parade, Bath
Cavalli, Grandi, Crivelli, Gabrieli, Monteverdi
|
|
The French Connection - 4th July 2002
Bath Abbey
Duruflé Requiem & Goudimel Mass
Soloists:- Elinor Carter (Mezzo), Simon Birchall (Baritone) & Peter King (organ)
|
|
Israel in Egypt - 16th March 2002
Bath Abbey
George Frideric Handel
|
|
Music for Christmas - 22nd December 2001
The Pump Room, Bath
with Pierluigi Potalivo - Guitar
|
|
A Hymn to the Virgin - 27th October 2001
St John the Evangelist, South Parade, Bath
|
|
Charpentier
Te Deum & Filius Prodigus Requiem - 24th March 2001
Bath Abbey
Soloists:-
Tessa Bonner - soprano
Deborah Roberts - soprano
Gavin Rogers Ball - alto
Rogers Covey Crump - tenor
Richard Edgar Wilson - tenor
Stephen Varcoe - bass
|
|
