EXETER BACH SOCIETY
Honorary Patron: Dr Peter Hurford OBE, DMus, FRCO
PRESS RELEASE
8 May 2018
Music of Eastern Europe
Saturday 2 June 2018, 7.30pm, at St. Margaret's Church, Topsham
The year 2018 marks the 90th anniversary of the death of the Czech composer Leos Janáček which the Exeter Bach Society is marking with a concert of choral music by Janáček, and other composers from Eastern Europe –Dvorak, Pärt,Górecki, Eben, Natra, Bartók, Prokofiev and Kodaly. The programme offers the chance to enjoy masterpieces from a part of the world where singing is such a vital part of the culture. The audience will enjoy works by some composers who are well known in this country but will also learn about others who deserve to be better known.
The varied programme will include Janáček’sOtceNas (The Lord's Prayer) and Elegy on the death of my daughter Olga, Dvořák’sSix Moravian Choruses, Bartók’sRomanian Folk Dances, Pärt’sSpiegel im Spiegel and BogoroditseDjevo, andGórecki’sTotusTuus, a remarkable work composed to celebrate the visit of Pope John Paul II to Poland in 1987. Full details of the wide-ranging programme can be found on the Exeter BachSociety’s website:
The Exeter Bach Choir will be under the direction of Musical Director Jonathan Lucas Wood, with David Davies (piano and organ), Anna Cockroft (violin), Michael Graham (tenor) and Sally Jenkins (harp). Jonathan is a leading figure in music making in Exeter, especially at the Cathedral and University, as well as at Buckfast Abbey, and further afield with the National Youth Choir.
David Davies, formerlyAssistant Director of Music at Exeter Cathedral andMusic Director of the Exeter Bach Society, has an extensive career as an organist and conductor.Anna Cockroftstudied at the Birmingham Conservatoire and is in great demand by many orchestras and ensembles across the South West.While primarily concentrating on organ studies, MichaelGraham is Director of Chapel Music at the University of Exeter and Lay Vicar at Exeter Cathedral. He is alsoin demand as a tenor soloist. Sally Jenkins is a highly-accomplished harpist, performing at major venues across the country, as well as having a significant career as a teacher of harp.
This is an event not to be missed - beautiful music, professional soloists and the Exeter Bach Society Choir singing in this magnificent church in the charmingvillage of Topsham. What a delightful way to spend a summer evening!
Advance tickets are £10 (£12 on the door). Full-time students are half-price. Children under 16 are free. Tickets are available via our website: or Exeter Tickets at the Tourist Information Centre, 01392 665885. Light refreshments will be served in the interval.
ENDS
Media contact: John Vick or 01626 867257