Bringing Great Music to Life
This year sees Newcastle Choral Society celebrate 70 years of singing in Newcastle upon Tyne and beyond. To mark the occasion we bring you a rather special concert this summer with Will Todd and Kristina Arakelyan in person.
The main item is the extraordinary Mass in Blue by Will Todd. Will was born in County Durham and has won a worldwide reputation as composer and pianist. Lovers of both choral music and jazz will enjoy this work which brilliantly fuses elements of jazz with strong choral writing featuring solosoprano, saxophone and piano roles, all working together to marvellously dynamic effect.
To celebrate our special anniversary we have commissioned a work from
Kristina Arakelyan who is considered to be a rising star in UK music, among the most prolific and successful composers of her generation.
Her Two Miller Settings are based on poems by American poet Freeman Edwin Miller: My Mollie, O! is a lively song which makes much use of syncopated rhythm and driving piano accompaniment, while
Song of Might is, in contrast, more lyrical and contemplative.
Piano accompaniment Nick Butters.
The commission is supported by the Northumberland Freemasons
Composer Ëriks Ëšenvalds also features in our programme. He has won a number of awards in recognition of his work and held prestigious
positions at Trinity College, Cambridge as well as in his native Latvia. His lovely Only in Sleep recalls fond memories of childhood in dreams.
It is a beautiful combination of melody and harmony for soprano soloist and chorus.
Elizabeth Woods: Soprano
Will Todd: Piano
Malcolm Dick: Drums
Tim Farrow: Bass
Sue Ferris: Saxophone
Musical Director: Mark Anyan
Tickets:
www.ticketsource.co.uk/newcastle-choral-society
£15 (£8 for full-time students & unwaged)
Free for under-18s with a paying adult
Tickets also available on the door (cash or card)
