Description

To mark the centenary of its inaugural concert in December 1922, Lloyd’s Choir is proud to present, with the Cohen Ensemble, a special Centenary Gala Concert programme of festive Christmas music both traditional and new.

The event will be hosted by Lloyd’s Choir in the magnificent Merchant Taylors’ Hall in the City of London, bringing together both former and current members of Lloyd’s Choir with the Choir’s valued supporters and sponsors over the years in an evening of celebration and music-making, including festive drinks and canapes after the concert.

The concert programme blends traditional favourite Christmas carols for choir and audience with some less often heard Christmas pieces.

The main highlight of the programme will be Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia on Christmas Carols, honouring the 150th anniversary of this notable English composer’s birth.

Other choral highlights include: Harold Darke’s In the Bleak Midwinter; Jacques Cohen’s Bell Carol, and Cradle Song; Hector Berlioz’s Shepherd’s Farewell; as well as carols by contemporary composers Philip Spratley and Ian Brentnall (a member of the choir), and a brand new carol by Zeo Fawcett.

In addition, the programme includes rarely performed Christmas pieces for orchestra by Geoffrey Toye, the choir’s founding Conductor and Mykola Leontovitch.