Minster Church of St Andrew, Plymouth
Saturday 29 November at 7:30pm
For tickets call 07453 312919
Tickets will be available on wegotticets soon.
The name has Latin roots – “Carmina” means “songs”, while “Burana” is the Latinised form of Beuern, the name of the Benedictine monastery of Benediktbeuern in Bavaria. So, “Carmina Burana” translates as “Songs Of Beuern”, and refers to a collection of early 13th-century songs and poems that was discovered in Beuren in 1803 – although it has since been established that the collection originated from Seckau Abbey, Austria – and is now housed in the Bavarian State Library.
The songs (over 1000 of them) were written in a mix of Latin, German and medieval French by the Goliards, a band of poet-musicians comprising scholars and clerical students, who celebrated with earthy humour the joys of the tavern, dance, nature, love and lust. Although Orff set the original texts, he chose not to use the primitive musical notation that accompanied some of the songs.
Love, sex, drinking, gambling, fate, and fortune – EastEnders plotlines any day of the week; but there is nothing new here. Composed in the 1930s and written exclusively for entertainment, Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana tackles those very same themes with gusto, style and passion. Inspired by a set of medieval poems, this is a huge favourite among concert-goers and one of the most popular pieces in the classical music repertoire.
Dances of Time is a diverse collection of five choral songs addressing different aspects of time. Texts ranging from Biblical to twentieth century are set to Chilcott’s attractive and characterful music, drawing on elements of dance forms in various styles. The work opens with a rhythmic setting of Henry VIII’s famous text ‘Pastime with good company’, before the contrastingly wistful and reflective ‘Today’. The carpe diem sentiment of ‘Gather ye rosebuds’ is heightened through its setting as a lively jig, and in ‘To every thing there is a season’ a central section presents the paired images of the text from Ecclesiastes, enclosed by almost hymn-like outer segments. The infectiously positive ‘Life has loveliness’ sums up the overall message of the collection: despite the passing of time, we can celebrate the present through music and singing.
TBA
PETER COOK Conductor
Peter brings with him vast experience of both singing and directing choirs.
He has sung bass with the Plymouth Philharmonic for many years and has been our Assistant Musical Director. He has also recently worked directing The Stanborough Chorus and was Choral Master of The South West Philharmonia.
Peter is the founder and Musical Director of The South Hams SIngers. Peter’s light hearted nature and energy has seen his choir expand rapidly since forming after COVID to over 75 members.
This summer, you may have performed in, or were in the audience for the highly emotional and sold out performances of The Armed Man by The Devon Anglo German Mass Choir. This choir of over 160 singers (120 from The south west and 47 from Germany) was put together from scratch by Peter and helped celebrate 80 years of peace between our countries.
Peter says, ‘I’m so excited to have the opportunity this term to lead the Plymouth Philharmonic Choir. Carmina Burana and Dances with Time gives us the opportunity to have lots of fun, work hard with enthusiasm, and create a wonderful performance at St Andrews on November 29th.’
Copyright Plymouth Philharmonic Choir. Sponsored by AC Ballard Trust.
