Diocesan Centenary Concert
Saturday 28 October 2017
David Worsfold introduced the orchestra and choir and greeted the large and very appreciative audience which included the Lord Lieutenant of Essex, Mrs Jennifer Tolhurst and her husband Philip, who is chairman of the Brentwood Diocesan Cathedral and Choral Trust. Also present were the Mayor of Brentwood, Councillor William Russell, and Mgr Canon Kevin Hale, Vicar General of the Diocese, who was representing the Bishop of Brentwood.
 Andrew Wight |
 Stephen King |
 Jonathan Schranz |
Sam Lewis |
Darren Moore |
The programme opened with a lively performance of Vivaldi’s Double Trumpet Concerto. Sam Lewis and Darren Moore performed with aplomb and were sensitively accompanied by the ELMS Chamber Orchestra, regular performers at Cathedral concerts, all skilfully marshalled under the baton of Andrew Wright.
Julia Wilson-James and Chlöe Treharne
The choir and orchestra were joined by soloists Julia Wilson-James and Chlöe Treharne for an exhilarating performance of Vivaldi’s Gloria. Conductor Jonathan Schranz carefully blended the more reflective moments with the lively choral passages which brought out the best in the large choir.
Jonathan Schranz also took charge for Schubert’s Mass in G in its full orchestral version
 Joshua Chapman |
 Michael Bradley |
This powerful performance in which Joshua Chapman (Bass) and Michael Bradley (Tenor) joined forces with Julia and Chlöe, filled the Cathedral with sound, pausing for the gentle trio in the Benedictus, before the choir brought the work to a hushed close with the words Dona nobis pacem. English composers were represented in the programme in two works conducted by Andrew Wright, Diocesan Director of Music
Elgar was a Roman Catholic who rose to claim the crown as England’s pre-eminent composer and his gentle, moving Sospiri for strings, organ and harp drew an intense and moving performance from the orchestra. The evening finished with Vaughan Williams’ Serenade to Music for which bass Joshua Chapman joined the other soloists, choir and full orchestra. Vaughan Williams had strong connections with Brentwood and his Serenade with its lyrical praise of the beauty of music was a fitting climax of the celebration of the Diocesan centenary in music. More photos below of the excellent singers and instrumentalists who helped to make this such a special musical celebration of the Diocesan Centenary Celebration
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Text – Thanks to David Worsfold .. Photos © Graham Hillman