The yearning and regret at parting, the optimism of new beginnings and the religious promise of an afterlife are common themes in Western classical music. In its spring concert, Collegium Musicum of London Chamber Choir explored these sensibilities – alongside the retrospective poignancy of a composer’s last works.
Choral music by a diverse collection of composers made up an eclectic programme of memorable musical farewells, incuding works by Gibbons, Weelkes, Byrd and Purcell, alongside Hubert Parry’s Songs of Farewell, the composer’s touching tribute to his pupils who were lost or wounded in the First World War.
‘Collegium Musicum of London Chamber Choir were fabulous.’
– Laura McGuinness, audience member
‘Delightful performance from a very skilled choir. I very much enjoyed the performance. The selection of songs was beautiful and the performance of “This worldes joie” in honour and memory of Alastair Putt was very well received by the audience.’
– Julia Kowalle, audience member
