Stanford: Choral Music

Choral music was central to Charles Villiers Stanford’s life as a composer. Balancing solemnity with rapturous affirmation, The Resurrection was his first major choral work, written while he was studying under Carl Reinecke in Leipzig and anticipating Mahler’s use of Klopstock’s eponymous poem in his ‘Resurrection’ Symphony. The dramatic, at times almost operatic and Wagnerian Stabat Mater is a cantata with two purely orchestral movements suggestive of a large-scale symphony, while Song to the Soul contains some of Stanford’s most exhilarating utterances, though it was never performed in his lifetime. Directed by David Hill, The Bach Choir is recognised as one of the world’s leading choruses, building upon a tradition that combines musical excellence with creativity and innovation. Described by the London Evening Standard as “probably the finest independent choir in the world”, the choir values its independence, choosing to work with the very best orchestras and soloists. With a strong commitment to new music, The Bach Choir has commissioned works from some of the world’s leading composers, including Sir John Tavener, Bob Chilcott and Jonathan Dove.