Celebration of Vivaldi
| Type of post: | Choir news item |
| Sub-type: | No sub-type |
| Posted By: | Magnus Carter |
| Status: | Current |
| Date Posted: | Thu, 20 Feb 2025 |
Tyndale Choral Society has commissioned a choral re-imagining of Vivaldi’s hugely popular set of violin concertos, The Four Seasons, to mark the 300th anniversary of the composer’s most famous work.
Rehearsals began 24th February for the first performance of A Season to Sing by Joanna Forbes L’Estrange, who also composed an anthem to mark the coronation of King Charles III. The composer is a friend of Tyndale’s Music Director, Ben Sawyer.
The composer herself says: “Having loved this music since I was a young girl, I’d often thought that melodies as good as these deserve to be sung. With 2025 marking the work’s 300th anniversary, it seemed the perfect time to put pencil to manuscript paper and give it a go.”
Joanna Forbes L’Estrange’s career as a choral composer began with seven years as music director of the Swingle Singers. Her mission to create a body of tuneful, singable music which every choir can enjoy was described by BBC Music Magazine as “an integrity of purpose that infuses every musical phrase that she writes.”
Tyndale Chairman Magnus Carter said: “This work enhances Vivaldi’s extraordinary portrayal of the seasons of the year by weaving into the well-loved melodies texts from poetry and the Bible on the subject of spring, summer, autumn and winter.
“It’s going to be hugely enjoyable to sing, and we know our audiences will love it. We are delighted to have joined choirs from the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, South Africa and Vietnam in commissioning this piece.
“In addition to normal rehearsals, we have arranged a Workshop with Joanna in mid-May. We are very excited to meet her and get her own personal ‘take’ on the work.”
The work will be in concert e at St James’s Church, Dursley on Saturday 14th June. The performance will also feature Poulenc's Gloria and Parry's I Was Glad.
Picture attached: The composer, Joanna Forbes L'Estrange
Rehearsals began 24th February for the first performance of A Season to Sing by Joanna Forbes L’Estrange, who also composed an anthem to mark the coronation of King Charles III. The composer is a friend of Tyndale’s Music Director, Ben Sawyer.
The composer herself says: “Having loved this music since I was a young girl, I’d often thought that melodies as good as these deserve to be sung. With 2025 marking the work’s 300th anniversary, it seemed the perfect time to put pencil to manuscript paper and give it a go.”
Joanna Forbes L’Estrange’s career as a choral composer began with seven years as music director of the Swingle Singers. Her mission to create a body of tuneful, singable music which every choir can enjoy was described by BBC Music Magazine as “an integrity of purpose that infuses every musical phrase that she writes.”
Tyndale Chairman Magnus Carter said: “This work enhances Vivaldi’s extraordinary portrayal of the seasons of the year by weaving into the well-loved melodies texts from poetry and the Bible on the subject of spring, summer, autumn and winter.
“It’s going to be hugely enjoyable to sing, and we know our audiences will love it. We are delighted to have joined choirs from the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, South Africa and Vietnam in commissioning this piece.
“In addition to normal rehearsals, we have arranged a Workshop with Joanna in mid-May. We are very excited to meet her and get her own personal ‘take’ on the work.”
The work will be in concert e at St James’s Church, Dursley on Saturday 14th June. The performance will also feature Poulenc's Gloria and Parry's I Was Glad.
Picture attached: The composer, Joanna Forbes L'Estrange
