Christmas Concert December 2010 in St. John's Church, Devizes

 

The choir under their director, Margaret Henry, with Tim Hutchings at the organ, gave a very creditable performance of Charpentier’s “Messe de Minuit” to a large and appreciative audience.   In this mass Charpentier weaves tunes from several old French folk songs into choruses and solo items.   The excellent soloists for this performance were: Sopranos; Kathy Adams and Jane Francis, Alto; Bridget Green, Tenor; Richard Hathway and Baritone; Paul Whelehan.

 

The second half of the programme included several French carols and  three arrangements of early English carols by Peter Cook.   Tony Jones provided flute obligato for John Rutter’s ever popular Shepherds Pipe Carol.

 

The photogallery is below the Programme

 

The Programme

 

Devizes Chamber Choir

Director — Margaret Henry

Organ — Tim Hutchings

 

Charpentier Messe de Minuit

 

Soprano — Kathy Adams, Soprano—Jane Francis

Alto— Bridget Green, Tenor — Richard Hathway

Baritone — Paul Whelehan Flute—Tony Jones

 

and CAROLS

 

7.30 pm, Saturday 11th December 2010

St. John’s Church, Devizes 

 

MESSE DE MINUIT

 

 Kyrie

Gloria

Credo

Sanctus

Agnus

 

Marc Antoine CHARPENTIER 1643-1704 was born in Paris and went to Rome to study painting. Upon hearing the music of Carissimi he became that composer’s pupil and on returning

to Paris he earned a high reputation as a prolific and versatile composer, principally of sacred vocal music. His works include oratorios, masses, operas and small cantatas, and probably his best known work is his Te Deum. Of the eleven vocal masses he wrote, it is the Messe de Minuit which is the most popular. This midnight mass combines art music with music of profane

origin. Its use of Christmas folk songs goes back to the Middle Ages when it was usual to sing folk-song-like Christmas carols when celebrating the Midnight Mass in France. Charpentier

borrows 10 French carols to which he puts the liturgically prescribed text of the Ordinary (Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Agnus Dei).

 

There are no big solo arias. The soloists provide trios, duets and solos which are interspersed with the full chorus.

 

Pogramme of Carols

 

 

CAROL 34 Once in Royal Davids City 1,2,4 & 5

CHOIR Messe de Minuit – Charpentier

 

INTERVAL

  • CAROL 26 Hark the Herald angels , omit v4.
  • CHOIR Sans Day Carol – arr John Rutter
  • When Christ was born – arr Peter Cook
  • Masters in this hall – arr David Willcocks
  • CAROL 42 While shepherds watched
  • CHOIR Come leave your sheep – arr John Rutter
  • On a quiet night in winter – arr Peter Cook
  • Stille Nacht – arr Andrew Carter
  • CAROL 30 O come all ye faithful 1,2,3 & 6
  • CHOIR Whence is that goodly fragrance – arr David Willcocks
  • Lullay my liking – arr Peter Cook. Paul Whelehan Bridget Green, Ray Wright Jane Francis
  • Shepherds Pipe Carol – John Rutter

 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We are pleased to welcome our Soprano and Tenor guest soloists, Kathy Adams and Richard Hathway. Jane Francis, Bridget Green and Paul Whelehan are drawn from the choir. We welcome Tim Hutchings who regularly fulfils the role of organist for our per-formances. Tony Jones provides invaluable service as accompanist at choir rehearsals and tonight provides a flute obligato for John Rutter’s ever popular Shepherds Pipe Carol.

 

Devizes Chamber Choir is a member of "Making Music", the National Federation of Music Societies, which represents and supports amateur and semi-professional music groups of all genres throughout the United Kingdom.

 

Music scores are hired from Wiltshire Performing Arts Library.

The choir performs at least three concerts per year in Devizes and the surrounding villages. During the tenure of its current Director, Margaret Henry, the choir has significantly extended its repertoire and has taken its performances to a much wider audience. She is a member of the Association of British Choral Directors

 

The choir’s next concert will be held on Saturday 19th March when the choir will be presenting John Rutter’s Requiem and other Lenten music.

 

The choir is always ready to welcome new members. It meets regularly for rehearsals on Tuesday evenings at Sheep Street Bap-tist Church, Devizes. If you would like more information, please contact the choir secretary, Carole Jones on 01380-840228, or look at the website.

www.devizeschamberchoir.co.uk