Songs for all Seasons An eclectic programme of music throughout the ages
Lucy Bowen Eleanor Perks Holy Trinity Church, Hereford Saturday 5th March 7.30pm
Fine Knacks for Ladies A philosophical pedlar shares his wares and his thoughts. Sorrow, Stay Dowland invokes grief as a remedy for despair. In the Black, Dismal Dungeon of Despair A Lenten meditation on the possibility of redemption.
John Dowland (1563 - 1626?)
Henry Purcell (1659 - 1695) Words by William Fuller
Four Eighteenth Century Songs These four songs, three from the collections of Vaughan Williams and Cecil Sharp, and one by Hector Macneil in ‘Songs of the North’, are all women’s responses to military campaigns of the era, with specific references to the naval pressgangs. All things are quite silent (Sussex) High Germany (Somerset) My Love’s in Germanie (Hector Macneil) William Taylor (Somerset) from Poèmes pour Mi Olivier Messiaen (1908 - 1992) Paysage (Landscape) La maison (Dwelling) Action des grâces (Thanksgiving) Messiaen’s texts, reflecting his devout faith in synaesthetic and symbolist verse, culminate in a rapt Alleluia for the sacrament of Christ’s gifts in the bread of Communion. Three Shakespeare Songs Come Away, Death (Twelfth Night) O Mistress mine (Twelfth Night) Blow, blow, thou Winter Wind (As You Like It) INTERVAL (20 mins) Refreshments available
Roger Quilter (1877 - 1953)
Mátyás Seiber (1905 - 1960) Four Greek Folk Songs English words by Peter Carroll O My Love, How Long Have Pity On Me Each Time, My Love, You Say Farewell O Your Eyes Are Dark And Beautiful These songs seem to hang (like Greece) between western and eastern Europe, with quickly-changing moods and modes.
Der Engel Richard Wagner (1813 - 1883) (from Wesendonck-Lieder) words by Mathilde Wesendonck A childhood legend of a comforting angel has come true. Von ewiger Liebe Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897) (from Vier Gesange) words from a Sorbian folksong A young man walking his sweetheart home offers to break up with her if their relationship is occasioning 'talk', but she is having none of that! In dem Schatten meiner Locken Hugo Wolf (1860 - 1903) (from the Spanisches Liederbuch) words by Paul Heyse A woman looks at her sleeping sweetheart and considers waking him up. Sonntags am Rhein Robert Schumann (1810 - 1856) (from Sechs Gedichte aus dem Liederbuch eines Malers) words by Robert Reinick A Sunday morning walk through the vineyards on the banks of the Rhine is the occasion for the poet to give thanks for all that is good about his beloved homeland.
from 7 Shakespeare Songs The cuckoo (Love's Labour's Lost) It was a lover and his lass (As You Like It) Songs of the hey-nonny-nonny variety…
Madeleine Dring (1923 - 1977)
Lucy Bowen Lucy was born in Yorkshire and has lived in Hereford for most of the last 30 years, during which time she has taught singing in many of the city and county schools. She has helped many former students to achieve university choral scholarships and conservatoire places and is currently on the team at Hereford Cathedral School, Head of Vocal Studies at Hereford Sixth Form College and voice coach for the choristers of Hereford Cathedral. She has performed and recorded with consorts such as Polyphony, Ex Cathedra and Aurora Nova, and as a soloist has appeared at the Three Choirs Festival in all three cities, and also at the Cheltenham and Bath festivals. Eleanor Perks Eleanor studied piano accompaniment at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and has played and taught extensively around the UK during her career. She is now based in Hereford. When she is not accompanying other musicians, Eleanor sings in the Three Choirs Festival Chorus and Hereford Choral Society. Our next song recital will be at Hellens House, Much Marcle Friday 22nd April 7.30pm with the soprano, Rachel Roper accompanied on the piano by Rosane Lajoie Tickets available from Lee Seal at leeseal@doctors.org.uk or 01432 830407 If you're interested in joining the Friends or would like more information, please contact our membership secretary Eleanor Perks at friendsofhereford3cf@gmail.com or 07929402262 The Friends of Hereford Three Choirs Festival Charity no. 503971