Tremenda, sometimes lacrimosa

It's that time of year when the final concerts happen. I have two orchestral concerts coming over two weekends, but this was our choir, Harmonia Monday, presenting its open day session. HM is called a choral study group. That's about right, because the music is great and a challenge for us. It's led by two stallwarts of the local choral scene: Oliver Raymond and Sheila Thompson. This session included three pieces from Mozart Requiem under Oliver (Dires irae, Rex tremendae and Lacrimosa) and two from Mendelssohn Elijah under Sheila (He that shall endure to the end and Oh come every one that thirsteth). As well as Ascendit Deus (mid C16th, from Peter Philips), an earthy, perhaps suggestive, piece of Victoriana from Ciro Pinsuti (Goodnight, goodnight, beloved) , a lovely Shaker song called Simple gifts and a gospel piece, Deep river. Also Faure and another. It's all a challenge, I am too ill-prepared, but it's glorious the times the harmonies sit nicely. An enjoyable outing.

Oliver Raymond and Sheila Thompson led the Harmonia Monday choral studies group for its open day concert.

Thanks to MozartForum and Wikicommons for the Mozart autograph pic, Requiem dies