East Riding County Choir has been performing in Beverley Minster twice per year since 1958. We perform Handel’s Messiah every two years in December on odd year numbers. For all other concerts, we perform a variety of works by well-known composers.
May 2024 – Elijah, Mendelssohn
Jacob Ludwig Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy (1809-1847) was a German composer pianist, organist and conductor of the early Romantic period. Elijah was composed in 1845/6, and first performed on 26th August 1846. The oratorio depicts events in the life of the prophet Elijah with text from the Books of Kings and others in the Old Testament. The work is in two parts and scored for (mostly) four-part SATB. The soloists are Elijah (Baritone), soprano singing the Widow, the Youth and Angel II, alto singing Angel I and the Queen, and tenor singing the parts of Obadiah and Ahab. The work is both dramatic and beautiful, having some overwhelming choruses and lyrical movements.
December 2023 – Messiah, Handel
George Frederic Handel (1685-1759) was a German-British composer from the Baroque period. Messiah was composed in a matter of weeks in 1741a, and first performed in Dublin on 13th April 1742. It has come one of the best -known and frequently performed choral works in western music. The oratorio provides a commentary on the nativity, passion, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ, with text from the (KJV) Bible, Psalms and 1662 Book of Common Prayer. The work is in three parts and 53 ‘scenes’, and is scored for SATB.
April 2023 – Stabat Mater, Sir Karl Jenkins
Sir Karl William Pamp Jenkins (b. 1944) is a Welsh multi-instrumentalist and composer. Stabat Mater was composed in 2008 and is based on the 13th-century prayer which reflects on the suffering of Mary, mother of Jesus. Jenkins uses several languages (other than Latin and English) in the twelve movements. The work is scored for a single alto soloist and chorus.
December 2022 – St. Nicolas, Benjamin Britten
Edward Benjamin Britten (1913-1976) was an English composer, conductor, and pianist. St. Nicolas was completed in 1948 and covers the legendary life of Saint Nicholas, Bishop of Myra. The work is scored for a mixed choir and tenor soloist. The text was written by Eric Crozier after extensive research into the legendary life of St. Nicolas. Britten’s music enhances the drama of Crozier’s text using striking contrasts in instrumentation, vocal style, and musical textures.
December 2022 – Gloria, Antonio Vivaldi
Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741) was an Italian composer, virtuoso violinist and impresario or Barque music. Alongside Bach and Handel, Vivaldi ranks among the greatest Baroque composers. Gloria (RV 589) was composed at the same time as RV 588, during Vivaldi’s employment at the Pio Ospedale della Pietà . Both Gloria’s were not that well-known until 1939, but RV589 is is performed often at sacred events such as Christmas and is very popular.
A full list of all our past concerts is available to download here.