The Holst Singers

Duruflé and Łukaszewski

Saturday 15 November 2025 – 7:45 pm

On Saturday 15 November, we had the great pleasure of welcoming the Holst Singers to the Cathedral.

This truly excellent choir, directed by Stephen Layton, began their recital with the O Antiphons by the Polish composer Łukaszewski.  After a brief interval, the choir reassembled for a superb rendition of the Requiem by Maurice Duruflé.

The Holst Singers were joined for this part of the evening by the organ played by Harrison Cole, and, for the mezzo-soprano solo, by the cello played by Sarah Henderson.

Stephen Layton – director Holst SingersAndrew James – Baritone
Sarah Henderson – Cello Alice Fitzgerald – Mezzo Soprano
Harrison Cole – Organ Harrison Cole & Page-turner

Programme

Paweł Łukaszewski (b. 1968 )

 O Antiphons

I –  O Sapientia 

II –  O Adonai

III –  O Radix Jesse

I V –  O Clavis David

V –  O  Oriens

VI –  O Rex gentium

VII –  O Emmanuel
Maurice Duruflé (1902-1986) Requiem Mass

I –  Introit 

II –  Kyrie

III –  Domine Jesu Christe

I V –  Sanctus

V –  Pie Jesu

VI –  Agnus Dei

VII –  Lux aeterna

VIII –  Libera me

IX –  In Paradisum
Alice Fitzgerald – Mezzo Soprano Andrew James – Baritone
Canon John Harvey – Vote of Thanks Canon Harvey & Stephen Layton 
Fr John spoke movingly at the end of the concert and expressed our heart-felt thanks to Stephen Layton and the Holst Singers for such a splendid musical evening. The performance was outstanding and the pieces chosen were particularly relevant in this month of November.

Brentwood Cathedral Music Dept©2025 – Photos  Graham Hillman