Parry's Songs of Farewell were conceived as a set of companion pieces for unaccompanied choir, following the revision of an earlier motet, There is an old belief.
Composition History
Herbert Howells's Take him, earth, for cherishing was composed for a memorial concert following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in November 1963.
Performer Biography
Harry Christophers, the founder and conductor of The Sixteen, was appointed a CBE in the Queen's 2012 Birthday Honours for his services to music.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Parry chose texts for his Songs of Farewell that chimed with his personal beliefs, refining his settings across multiple drafts.
Historical Context
The medieval carol Saint Thomas honour we recalls the martyrdom of Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, who was murdered in Canterbury Cathedral in 1170.
Composition History
Cecilia McDowall's An unexpected shore is the first movement of Good News from New England, a new work honoring the Pilgrim Fathers who sailed on the Mayflower in 1620.
Composer Biography
Hubert Parry, the composer of Songs of Farewell, initially pursued a commercial career as an underwriter at Lloyd's of London before becoming a full-time musician.
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