Exeter College Chapel
Sunday 28th March 7.30pm

"Give Unto the Lord"

20th Century Settings of the Psalms by English Composers

An exploration of how composers of the modern world from this country have responded to these ancient texts.

Elgar, Parry, Rutter, Walton, Howells, Berkeley, Vaughan Williams

On the evening of Palm Sunday the Cherwell Singers presents a programme of twentieth century settings of verses from the psalms by English composers.

The psalms have long inspired musicians, some as hymns of praise, others as pleas for intercession, but all wrapped in the beauty of the psalmist's language.

The concert opens with Elgar's substantial setting of Psalm 29 "Give unto the Lord", which also forms the title of the evening's concert. Written in 1914 on the eve of the outbreak of a war which perhaps did more to shape the course of the century than any other event, the last prayer for the "blessings of peace" is poignantly repeated several times in Elgar's setting.

The concert closes with pehaps the most well known English psalm setting, Parry's "I was glad", used at every coronation ceremony since 1902 and reflecting the imperial confidence of its age.

In between are settings by Vaughan-Williams, Walton, Howells, Lennox Berkeley and John Rutter. Featuring Steven Grahl as soloist and accompanist on the organ of Exeter College Chapel.

Tickets £10(£8 concessions) on the door, or advance booking from boxoffice@cherwellsingers.org