Buxton Musical Society focuses on English Romantic pieces

For almost 200 years after Henry Purcell, there was virtually no English composer who was recognised and performed outside of their own country. This concert features the work of English composers who broke that mould with a new and internationally popular style – English Romanticism.

The Society Chorus will sing Songs from the Bavarian Highlands by Edward Elgar, a set of songs with words by his wife Alice that Elgar composed after a holiday in Germany. It was one of the pieces that started his long following in that country.

In the second half the chorus again joins the orchestra in a piece by Gerald Finzi that encapsulates so much of this English style. Based on the poem Intimations of Immortality by William Wordsworth, the work shows exquisite word-setting and harmonic beauty shared with the tenor soloist, Andrew Mackenzie Wicks.

The orchestra complement the programme by playing Vaughan Williams’ English Folk Song Suite with its jaunty and well-known melodies together with two of Frederick Delius’ best known pieces, Koanga and A Walk to the Paradise Garden.

The concert takes place on March 20 at 7.30pm in St John’s Church, Buxton and is conducted by Michael Williams. Tickets are £12 and £10.50 (concessions), from Buxton Opera House box office or on the door. Accompanied children and full-time students are admitted free.