FRIDAY 26 August
22:00 CANDLELIT COMPLINE Milton Abbey Church
Christ’s presentation in the Temple Johannes Eccard 1533-1611
Chamber Choir | David Everett: director
Starting a few minutes after the end of tonight’s concert, Compline sees the Abbey Church transformed by candlelight for this intimate and ancient service, traditionally the last service of the Benedictine day. Plainsong dating back hundreds of years, with a beautiful introit by Eccard, who died 400 years ago.
SATURDAY 27 August
16:00 RESTORATION EVENSONG St James Church, Milton Abbas
Hear my prayer Henry Purcell 1659-95
Preces and responses Richard Ayleward 1626-69
Evening Service in G minor Henry Purcell 1659-95
Thy word is a lantern Henry Purcell 1659-95
Excelsior | David Everett: director
Following last year’s successful Choral Evensong following the 1549 Book of Common Prayer, we move forward to the end of the 17th century and the restoration of the monarchy. With the arrival of King Charles II after his exile in France and the creation of the 1662 Book of Common Prayer, there was a resurgence in music of all types, not exactly encouraged during the Commonwealth! Henry Purcell and the lesser known Richard Ayleward are perfect examples of Restoration composers, their music having a lightness and exuberance missing during Cromwell’s rule.
SUNDAY 28 August
11:00 FESTIVAL EUCHARIST Milton Abbey Church
Communion Setting in C John Ireland 1879-1962
Ave verum Edward Elgar 1857-1934
Chamber Choir | David Everett: director
The service includes fine examples of liturgical music from the 19th & 20th centuries. Although Elgar is more famous for his large scale orchestral and choral works, his delightful setting of Ave verum shows that he was equally skilled wring simple music for small forces. John Ireland is best known outside the church for the famous song Sea Fever. Within the church, however, he is remembered for a number of fine anthems and settings of music for Evensong and Holy Communion.
MONDAY 29 August
11:00 1662 CANDLELIT EUCHARIST St Catherine’s Chapel
O quam gloriosum Tomás Luis de Victoria 1548-1611
Missa O quam gloriosum Tomás Luis de Victoria 1548-1611
Excelsior | David Everett: director
This simple celebration of the Mass in the intimate surroundings of this medieval chapel, is a serene and meditative start to the day. The sublime music of Victoria, who died 400 years ago, with the beauty and solemnity of the 1662 Book of Common Prayer and the candlelit setting is inspired and inspiring.
16:00 FESTIVAL EVENSONG Milton Abbey Church
Oculi omnium Charles Wood 1866-1926
Preces and responses Charles Hylton Stewart 1884-1932
Evening Service in D Charles Wood 1866-1926
O Thou the central orb Charles Wood 1866-1926
Chamber Choir | Festival Singers | David Everett: director
Charles Wood was an important contributor to the revival in the Anglican choral tradition at the end of the 19th and first part of the 20th centuries. The music in this Festal Evensong shows Wood in his various styles, calm and reflective, grandiose and stirring.
