A very successful concert to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the birth of Ralph Vaughan Williams was given by St Austell Choral Society at Mount Charles Methodist Church, St Austell.
The performance opened with Vaughan Williams’s Let Us Now Praise Famous Men.
This was followed by some of his folk songs such as Linden Lea and The Dark Eyed Sailor and, in between these, items by some of the contemporary composers who had influenced his music.
An appreciative audience therefore listened to, amongst others, Blest Pair of Sirens by Hubert Parry, Magnificat in C by CV Stanford, who had taught Vaughan Williams, and Turn Back O Man by Gustav Holst, his great friend.
To make a change from vocal items, accompanist Anthony Trodd played an organ solo, Prelude on a Welsh Hymn Tune and conductor, Paul Drayton, played a piano solo Minuet from Sonatine, by Ravel, with whom Vaughan Williams had studied in Paris.
Throughout the evening, Paul kept the audience informed and often amused by interesting facts and anecdotes about the various composers.
The audience was invited to join in with the last verse of the hymn For all the Saints, which made a rousing conclusion to the evening’s entertainment.
The society’s Advent concert will take place at Mount Charles Methodist Church on Friday, December 16 at 7.30p.m.
The performance will include a selection of seasonal readings and carols.
St Austell Choral Society is always happy to welcome new members.
The society meets at 7.30pm on Fridays at Mount Charles Methodist Church in St Austell.
No auditions are necessary and there are vacancies for all voices, especially the basses.
l For full details, please visit www.staustellchoral society.co.uk and Facebook.