Bernstein, Chichester Psalms and other great choral works

The Choir of St Mary’s, Maldon

William Foster, Organ

Colin Baldy, Director

Gabriel Jackson: Mass of St Mary (specially commissioned for the choir of St Mary’s)

Finzi: God is gone up!

Britten: Rejoice in the Lamb.

Ives: America

Leonard Bernstein, composer of West Side Story, was commissioned to compose these joyful pieces by Dean Hussey for the choir of Chichester Cathedral in 1965. The new pipe organ in St Mary’s will be joined by harp and percussion for a performance in this original Chichester Cathedral version.

Finzi wrote his God is Gone Up for the annual St Cecilia’s Day Service at St Sepulchre’s, Holborn in 1951. It requires a good organ (and organist) and shows the instrument in its full glory. It has become a favourite of English choral repertoire.

With its colourful depiction of a variety of animals, Britten’s Rejoice in the Lamb (also commissioned by Dean Hussey but this time for the choir of St Matthew, Northampton), is a tour de force for both choir and organ.

Gabriel Jackson was born in 1960 and is one of the major living composer’s. St Mary’s is fortunate to have received a generous donation to fund the commissioning of this work, which will receive its premier at the dedication of the organ on 20th June.