For their AUTUMN CONCERT in the ancient splendour of Rochester Cathedral, Rochester Choral Society will be joined by the Cathedral Consort, choristers of Rochester Cathedral and the Rochester Sinfonietta to perform two deeply moving works by modern British composers, both reflecting on the tragedy of war throughout all ages and all nations.
“THE ARMED MAN”, composed by Karl Jenkins in 1999 as a Mass for Peace, opens with the insistent drum-beats of the 15th century French marching song, “L’homme armé". Mournfully beautiful movements of a choral mass then alternate poignantly with texts from other religious and historical sources and poems depicting the grotesque horrors of nuclear war. The piece ends soothingly with the recognition that “Better is Peace” and the hope that “God shall wipe away all tears.”
Ralph Vaughan Williams’ “SANCTA CIVITAS” (The Holy City) was completed in 1925, using allegorical verses from the Book of Revelation to portray the wanton destructiveness of war and mankind’s hope for reconstruction, reconciliation and ultimate redemption. The baritone solo will be sung by Alistair Bamford.
Conductor: Scott Farrell
Tickets: £15 (nave, unreserved), £7 (restricted view, mainly in side-aisles),
£5 (children and students in full-time education).
