Some of the most vividly sensuous and erotic poetry ever written is found in the Song of Solomon in the Old Testament. Composers over the centuries have been inspired to set the words to music. From Victoria to Sandström, the Reading Bach Choir brings a selection of these settings to St Thomas’s Church in Goring on 12th November at 7.30 p.m.
One of the most prolific and versatile of 16th-century composers, Lassus wrote over 2000 works in almost every genre. The magnificent “Osculetor me”, beginning with the words “let him kiss me” opens the evening. Moving through the centuries we can hear how some composers resolved the difficulty of setting these remarkable words in a sacred context. The evening then concludes with the wonderful Sandström Songs of love with their gentle and sensuous interplay between one partner and the other.
Lassus - Osculetur me
Victoria -Vidi speciosam
Clemens non Papa - Ego flos campi
Guerrero - Trahe me post te
Melchior Frank
- Meine Schwester, liebe Braut
- Ich sucht des Nachts in meinem Bette
- Fahet uns die Füchse
- O dass ich dich, mein Bruder
- Du bist alle dinge schön
David Lang - for love is strong
William Walton - Set me as a seal
Sandström - Songs of love
