“A work of remarkable power and effect … a magnificent piece of music, that can only be written at rare intervals even by Dvořák” stated an important early press review.

Written for a leading Czech patron of the arts, this beautiful Mass has become his most popular sacred work. Dvořák was "supremely pleased" with the result!

Dvořák spent time in America and it is no coincidence that one of the greatest ‘classical’ melodies, the ‘New World’ Symphony Largo theme, is drawn from the African-American spirituals he loved.

It is therefore fitting to sing Tippett’s Five Spirituals. These beautiful songs, placed like Bach chorales in the Passions, are from the secular oratorio A Child Of Our Time. Written in 1939 and 1941, it was inspired by the assassination of a German diplomat by a young Jewish refugee in 1938, and the tragedies that ensued.

Holst, composer of the world class Planets Suite, made a deep impression on Tippett as a member of the Royal College of Music choir; "...the choir sang some interesting pieces: the two most adventurous ones … were Holst's Hymn of Jesus and Ode to Death".

Five Partsongs, masterfully written, are delightful settings of English poetry from Robert Herrick to Christina Rossetti.

For more information on Summertown Choral Society's website, click here

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If you require a wheelchair space for this event, please call 01865 305 305 or email boxoffice@oxfordplayhouse.com for further assistance.