“From the earth another song shall rise / to meet your own in Heaven’s long delight”.
presenter Ed Balls, conductor Nicholas Chalmers, organist Ashley Grote and the BBC Singers for an evening of words and music revealing the full depth, power and playfulness of composer Herbert Howells.
A Gloucestershire lad whose choral psalms and anthems have become part of the very fabric of British choral life, Herbert Howells packed his works with rich harmonies and luminous emotion. November's concert includes the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis from the Gloucester Service, Take Him, Earth, for Cherishing and Behold, O God our defender which was written for and premiered at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.
Inspired by his love for Howells' music, Ed Balls will be stepping in as guest conductor for Hymn for St Cecilia and A Grace for 10 Downing Street.
We hope you can us at St Martin-in-the-Fields for the celebration of this much-loved composer.
Image: Ed Balls © Nicky Johnson