Bob Chilcott’s evocative text will ring out around Skipton’s Christchurch this weekend as the finale to KVU’s Autumn Concert
Earth has not anything to show more fair:
Dull would he be of soul who could pass by
A sight so touching in its majesty:
This city now doth like a garment wear
The beauty of the morning;
Silent, bare..
These are the opening lines of the third movement of Bob Chilcott’s 2001 cantata celebrating the sights, sounds and moods of London. Here on the border of North and West Yorkshire we can’t claim to be in possession of too many “ships, towers [or] domes”, but we certainly can boast of our bright, glittering smokeless air and the splendour of valley, rock and hill. So, it seems entirely appropriate that Keighley Vocal Union Singers should complete their annual Autumn concert with a performance of Songs and Cries of London Town – a work that wonders at the marvels of our collective humanity, of the natural world surrounding us, and of life in the capital.
It’s especially poignant because this is an event that was postponed after KVU’s nonagenarian Musical Director, Frank Smith, had a fall earlier this year. I know all this because I will have the pleasure of playing a small part in the event. KVU’s pianist, Nick Watts, will accompany most of the concert himself, from the familiar Advent sections of Handel’s Messiah to the sacred music of Bruckner. But, Chilcott’s piece calls for two pianists to play their four hands on one piano, and Nick kindly asked me to join him for this part of the concert.
I’m also excited to meet the vocal soloists who will be performing. One is a nationally recognised soprano at just 25 years old, Grace O’Malley. And the other I share a surname with: Samantha Oxborough. I wonder if we’re related in some distant way?! There can’t be that many Oxboroughs performing in the concert halls and churches of the North of England! In any case, here’s a video of Grace and Samantha performing Rutter’s The Lord Bless You and Keep You together:
So, if choral music is your bag, KVU’s concert this weekend might be just up your street. You will be taken on a journey from the sacred music of the Italian renaissance with the Palestrina Stabat Mater, right up to Chilcott’s depiction of 21st Century London. There’s a bit more info about the concert below:
Sunday 20th October – 7:30pm
Christ Church, Skipton, BD23 2NB
Tickets: £12.50 / £5
Visit KVU’s website HERE for more information and to buy tickets.
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