After an eventful year in which Bishop’s Stortford Choral Society (BSCS) sang Elgar’s The Dream of Gerontius at Saffron Hall and pulled off a memorable performance of Vaughan Williams’ A Sea Symphony at the Methodist Church in Stortford, the choir is kickstarting 2023 by tackling the mighty German Requiem by Johannes Brahms, writes Helen Miller.
The final version of the work was first performed in Leipzig in 1869 and it has since become a hugely popular piece in the choral repertoire. Its title reflects the composer’s use of German language texts from the Lutheran Bible and unlike traditional requiems, which offer prayers for the souls of the dead, this was intended as a comfort for the living who mourn the death of others.
The Brahms Requiem is a big sing and BSCS is always on the look-out for new members to reinforce all voice parts. If you are a soprano, alto, tenor or bass who is interested in joining the choir, it’s holding an open rehearsal from 7.45pm to 10pm on Thursday January 12 at Water Lane United Reformed Church in Bishop’s Stortford. Music will be provided and you can be sure to receive a very warm welcome.
At BSCS there are no auditions, but singers are encouraged by musical director Richard Brain to aim high and sing to their full potential.
If you cannot make the January 12 open rehearsal you can attend rehearsals, which take place at the URC every Thursday evening in term time, by contacting the choir via its website at www.singwithbscs.org.uk.
The performance of the Brahms Requiem will take place at 7.30pm on Saturday March 25 at the Methodist Church in South Street. Details on how to obtain tickets will be posted next year on the BSCS Facebook page @singwithbscs, on Twitter @BSChoralSoc and the website.
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