Singers on winter journeys

The Hepton Singers present a concert of a cappella music from the Baltic to the Black Sea, performing a programme of stirring songs by Rachmaninov, Pärt, Bruckner and others.

Alison West, director of the Hepton Singers, said: ‘In November 2012 the Hepton Singers performed a concert entirely of Russian music.

“For our St Cecilia concert this year we are re-visiting some of the gems from that concert, in particular a group of four pieces by the contemporary Ukrainian composer Galina Grigorjeva from her exquisitely beautiful composition ‘On Leaving’.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Although this music is recent, the influence of the music of the Russian Orthodox church, and of earlier composers such as Rachmaninov, shines through her work, and some of her harmonies are spine-tingling.

“We shall accompany these pieces with works by Sergei Rachmaninov, Alfred Schnittke, Arvo Pärt, Josef Rheinberger, and, an old favourite of ours, ‘Three Graduals’ by Anton Bruckner.

‘The result is a heady mix to warm the toes and heart in the darkness of November.”

Ticket information: 9/£6/£1 (under 18s) available on the door and online from www.heptonsingers.co.uk

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

lThe 35-strong choir rehearses in Hebden Bridge, conducted by Alison West, and performs around four times a year.

Its principal annual concert is in Heptonstall Church.

The choir’s repertoire features mainly a cappella music from the 16th century to the present day, with the occasional world premiere.

Related topics: