Wond'rous Machine: Rejoice!

Northampton Bach Choir

Our second concert in the season – Wond’rous Machine – celebrating the great wealth of music for large chorus and symphonic organ, focuses on the great musical commissions of the Northampton-born Priest, Walter Hussey (Vicar of St Matthew’s Northampton (1937-55) and Dean of Chichester Cathedral (1955-77)). Here in Northampton he commissioned poetry, art, and music for St Matthew’s, and from that legacy we perform three works – two large-scale works by Finzi and Britten, and his Prelude and Fugue for organ. Using the medium of Fantasia and Fugue, Northampton-born composer Robert Walker later wrote a piece (for the organist of St Paul’s Cathedral, Simon Johnson, who was for a number of years our own Musical Director) based on themes by Britten, which is also performed. Northampton Bach Choir The Choristers of St Matthew’s Church, Northampton The Choristers of All Saints’ Church, Northampton Percussion – Keith Crompton Harp – Elizabeth Bass Organ – Justin Miller Conductor – Lee Dunleavy Bernstein – Chichester Psalms Britten – Prelude and Fugue on a Theme of Vittoria Britten – Rejoice in the Lamb Finzi – Lo, the full, final sacrifice Kelly – Magnificat and Nunc dimittis in C * Walker – Fantasia and Fugue on Themes of Britten * world première of new instrumentation