READING Bach Choir promises a concert of beautiful music in preparation for Lent.
Works by Hayden, Beethoven, Mendelssohn and Lotti will be performed in Reading.
Joined by a string quartet, the singers will perform a re-imagined version of one of Hayden’s oratorios, The Seven Last Words Of Christ.
The piece reflects on the final words of Christ on the cross, and was one that Hayden cherished above many of his other compositions.
Other items in the programme are: Beethoven’s Elegischer Gesang, op. 118; Mendelssohn’s Jesu, Meine Freude, MWV A 6, and Lotti’s Crucifixus á 8, which will be performed a capella.
The concert, Seven Last Words, promises to be moving and memorable.
Daniel Mahoney conducts.
Reading Bach Choir chair Anne Ware says: “Daniel is our new conductor.
“He’s from Boston, and has been introducing us to the works of American composers.
“But most importantly, he’s been building us up after covid, and really helping us to come through that.”
Reading Bach choir sings a wide range of choral music, both ancient and modern, with a special focus on challenging and rewarding new music.
“The concert programme is really varied, and we’re excited to be accompanied by a string ensemble, which Daniel has gathered to perform with us,” continues Anne.
“The Mendelssohn is joyous, the Lotti is exquisite, and the venue is very beautiful (and heated), with a wonderful warm acoustic.”
Anne says that audiences will leave the concert feeling better than when they arrived.
“People should leave feeling uplifted, happy, and satisfied,” she says.
“Nobody ever feels worse after listening to beautiful music, even if it’s sad, do they?
“It’s a great joy to hear good music, but it’s an even bigger joy to sing with a choir.
“And it’s good for mental health.”
The choir rehearses on Tuesdays, at St Andrews Church, Caversham at 7.30pm, and currently seeks new members, particularly basses.
Singers with a high standard of singing and musicianship are invited to try a couple of rehearsals before auditioning.
“The boys do tend to be a bit shy about coming forward,” says Anne.
“We’d love some more basses, especially, to come and try the group, to see if they like it.
“You need to know your way around the notes, but you don’t have to be brilliant.”
The group’s Seven Last Words concert takes place at All Saints Church, Downshire Square, on Saturday, February 11.
Doors open at 7.30pm, with tickets available, costing £15, or £5 for under 18s.
For information and to purchase tickets, email: tickets@readingbachchoir.org.uk, call: 01628 638847 or visit the choir’s website: www.readingbachchoir. Org.uk
Anyone wanting to try out the choir should email: membership@readingbachchoir.org.uk
