Wise Words

Our Lady and St Michael's Roman Catholic Church, Abergavenny

Sunday 10th April at 8:00pm

With harpist Katherine Thomas.

Includes:

  • Beatitudes by Arvo Pärt
  • The Woman with the Alabaster Box by Arvo Pärt
  • Tribute to Caesar by Arvo Pärt
  • The Traders by Kodaly
  • Songs from the Rig Veda [group 3] by Holst
  • Motets by Schütz
  • Motets by Schein

Some astonishing choral settings exploring the words of wisdom found in Hindu, Hebrew and Christian sacred texts.

Holst's ingenious 'Songs from the Rig Veda' [for female voices and harp] deserve to be better known. They inhabit a mystical sound world reminiscent of some moments in the composer's more famous Planets Suite. Their sacred words are prayers to the Hindu Gods which Holst himself translated from Sanskrit. Complementing these comes the inimitable voice of Estonian composer, Arvo Pärt, whose haunting settings, quoting key words spoken by Jesus in the gospels, have become modern classics.

Three are included in the programme:

  • The Beatitudes
  • The Woman with the Alabaster Box
  • Tribute to Caesar

Other pieces based on maxims found in Ecclesiastes should provide yet another dimension to the concert's theme. These are by the early German Baroque composers Schütz and Schein and include advice on how to look after your wife!

Admission

Tickets £10.

Available at the door, or book in advance from Abergavenny Music (01873 853394).

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