"MY JOY, MY LIFE, MY CROWN!"
Settings of the poetry of George Herbert
The Cherwell Singers
Saturday March 22nd 7.30pm
Exeter College Chapel
This term the Cherwell Singers present a concert of settings of the poetry
of arguably the most skilful and important British devotional lyricist,
George Herbert (1593-1633).
It seems fitting for a poet who has been described as having "a soul
composed of harmonies" that musicians have responded warmly to Herbert's
poetry- some of it enduring as popular hymns, while some has inspired
composers to create anthems and songs which attempt to match the beauty of
the words in music of great lyrical quality. Thus we present not only some
of the well loved and ofen performed "Mystical Songs" of Vaughan Williams,
but also settings by Leighton, Britten and Harris, as well as by the
contemporary composers Grayston Ives and Alec Roth. The organist will be
Steven Grahl and the baritone soloist Mark Saberton.
Herbert's first biographer wrote that he wrote "such hymns and anthems as he
and the angels now sing in heaven". We hope that in the beautiful
surroundings of Exeter College Chapel the combination of the music matched
to such skilfully crafted words will lift believers and non-believers alike
to a greater appreciation and enjoyment of the enduring legacy of George
Herbert.
Poster:
http://www.cherwellsingers.org/system/files/images/Herbert_2014_poster.jpg
More info and ticket sales:
http://www.cherwellsingers.org/concerts/2014/poetry-george-herbert
James Brown