Brockenhurst Choir will perform the works of Mendelssohn, Elgar and Vaughan Williams

THE music of Mendelssohn, Elgar and Vaughan Williams will feature in a forthcoming Brockenhurst Choir concert at St Saviours Church.

Entitled Light out of Darkness, the featured programme has been chosen by the choir’s musical director Matthew Kelley, who is set to take up a post at Hexham Abbey. Matthew grew up in Worcester and came to love the music he sang to as a chorister at Worcester Cathedral.

Mathew said: “I have always tried to introduce this music to others where possible, particularly the works of Sir Edward Elgar, who, like me, was raised in Worcester, and who dedicated so much of his time to choirs whilst there, alongside his more famous orchestral offerings.”

The concert will primarily feature the work of three composers - Mendelssohn, Elgar and Vaughan Williams. The latter two are composers considered to be quintessentially English, with connections to Worcester Cathedral and the Three Choirs Festival.

There will also be movements from Mendelssohn’s early Oratorio St Paul, with Isobelle Palmer performing his famous anthem Hear my Prayer which includes Oh for the wings of a dove. Organist Sean Tucker will play an Organ Sonata by Mendelssohn.

Vaughan Williams’ Five Mystical Songs sets the words of 17th century priest and poet George Herbert. The final antiphon, Let all the world in every Corner Sing, is a familiar robust hymn tune.

Elgar then features in two contrasting works - movements from an early oratorio The Light of Life and then From the Bavarian Highlands; a joyful collection of songs.

Matthew has also created a new organ arrangement for poems written by Elgars wife Alice, in order to take advantage of the two great instruments at St Saviours’ Church.

The Brockenhurst Choir concert Light After Darkness will be held at St Saviours Church tomorrow (Saturday 29th March) at 7.30pm. Tickets, priced £15, can be purchased on the door or by visiting www.brockenhurstchoir.org