English Hymnal Day on 23 February
David Owen Norris (keyboard), Cantores Michaelis (Keith Davis, director), plus celebrity guests and students from the University of Southampton present a day devoted to Ralph Vaughan Williams and the English Hymnal. The event at the Turner Sims Concert Hall will begin with a Hymn Tune Marathon with performance of every hymn in the book.
Ralph Vaughan Williams was the Music Editor of the English Hymnal, first published in 1906 and described in its preface as 'A collection of the best hymns in the English language'. As a tribute to the composer fifty years after his death, join David Owen Norris, choir Cantores Michaelis and a raft of special guests to find out more about the immense musical impact which the book has had. You can also discover how its contents help paint a picture of Vaughan Williams's life, his friends and interests. The concert includes performances of many of the book's hymn tunes on an array of instruments including the Turner Sims organ as well as works associated with them including the Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis for string orchestra and the Three Preludes. Tickets £5.
Hymn Tune Marathon To complement the concert, singers and instrumentalists will be performing every tune in the English Hymnal. Drop in at any time between 8am and 2.30pm on the day and hear tunes from all seasons. Admission is free.