Canticles of Mary and Simeon - first broadcast
19th July 2011
The broadcast service takes place during the Millennium Youth Choir’s summer course, which also includes the singing of services in York Minster and concerts in Whitby and Waltham (Lincs).
The Canticles of Mary and Simeon by James Whitbourn for choir, organ and solo viola have been commissioned by the Millennium Youth Choir and will be premiered during Choral Evensong in York Minster on 2nd August, prior to the radio broadcast the following day. The choir is joined by Howard Breakspear, formerly principal viola player of Opera North.
David Ogden, the Director of the Millennium Youth Choir says the choir is already familiar with Whitbourn’s work. “We recently performed his canticles for choir, organ and tam tam, written for
King's College Cambridge. The singers enjoyed his music and the novelty of the orchestration. In our commission, Whitbourn takes a fresh look at the Jewish origins of the texts and accompanies the choir with organ and solo viola with its ability to juxtapose deep sonority with higher, more rapid movements. I'm very much looking forward to performing the piece.”
