Forthcoming Concert
For Evening Is Come
7.30pm, Friday 28 February 2025
Chapel of our Lady of the Snows,
Prior Park College, Bath BA2 5AH
JS Bach - Jesu Meine Freude
Heinrich Schütz - Musikalische Exequien
with music by Victoria, Morales, Stopford & Rheinberger
Join us for our programme For Evening Is Come, featuring some reflective and solemn repertoire fit for a chilly February evening. The programme is anchored by two jewels of the German Baroque: Bach’s motet Jesu, meine Freude and Schütz’s Musikalische Exequien (considered by some to be the “original” German Requiem). The evening will be rounded out with music by Victoria, Morales, Stopford and Rheinberger.
We’ll be joined by the Prior Park College Senior Chapel Choir and their Director, Matt Nicholls; Jamie Hamilton on organ and cellist Martyna Jankowska at the College’s exquisite Chapel of Our Lady of the Snows.
Tickets: £18 Under 25 - £6
on sale from Bath Box Office
About The Handful
" I found myself transfixed by the sheer beauty of their singing and the depth of their understanding"
One of Bath’s most respected chamber choirs, The Handful has been performing in and around Bath since its inception in 2002. The Handful embraces a wide repertoire of music, classical and contemporary, and enjoys an enviable reputation for high quality, vibrant performances.
Review
David Roberts - December 2024
Review of Handful Chamber Choir Concert
In Terra Pax
Christ Church, Julian Road, Bath
Saturday 7th December 2024
“A breath-taking performance from Bath’s leading chamber choir.”
The Handful echoed the warmth of winter with ‘In Terra Pax’ at their Christ Church debut. This breath-taking performance, from Bath’s leading chamber choir, proved to be a highlight of the season. The impressive programming of music demonstrated the exceptional and diverse abilities of the choir, its singers and conductor. Musical Director Vicente Chavarria complemented the music with thoughtful and contextual interjections that informed and interacted with the audience. Peter King accompanied the choir sensitively demonstrating the sonorous colours of the organ in perfect harmony with his absolute versatility. The choir were joined by soprano Josephine Goddard whose soaring voice of sublime purity resonated throughout the church. Dominic Felts’ silky tone depicted lustrous and perfectly formed vowels capped with delicate consonants.
Throughout the concert, The Handful seamlessly transitioned from Pearsall to Poulenc, showcasing multifarious rhythms and textural heterogeneity with intricate and dynamic contrast. The tangible and certain harmonies oscillated around the room, touching your heart, and stirring your soul. A fundamental empathy of intonation was revealed by soloists from within the choir, whose exemplary competence embodied the essence of lyricism. A myriad of choruses embarked the audience on a romantic journey from The Christ Child to a quintessential English scene, concluding with a ‘Party in Paris.’ This glorious evening of music voyaged from country to country, painting a beautiful and evocative evening where time stood still.
David Roberts
