Saffron Walden Choral Society: Heaven & Earth

This rich and varied programme includes extracts from Rachmaninov’s choral masterpiece All Night Vigil, in which the composer combines his distinctive harmonies with ancient Orthodox chants to express his deep religious faith. In Tavener’s haunting Song for Athene, words from Shakespeare’s Hamlet are integrated with texts from Orthodox funeral services; this elegiac anthem was heard by millions when played at Princess Diana’s funeral. Other featured works include Whitbourn’s critically acclaimed Son of God Mass, which blends the contemporary sounds of a saxophone with melodic liturgical voices.