Cranmer Company of Singers tribute concert for Ralph Vaughan Williams at Bottesford Church

A concert by the Cranmer Company of Singers and Chamber Orchestra is to mark the 150th anniversary of composer Ralph Vaughan Williams’ birth.

It takes place in Bottesford Parish Church on Saturday (December 10) from 7.30pm.

With a full orchestra of strings, woodwind, brass and percussion, the ensemble will perform pieces representing several areas of Vaughan Williams’ achievement as a composer.

Vaughan Williams’ compositional output was large and varied, spanning genres from hymn tune to film music, and ranging from the simplest music for amateurs to challenging works for large orchestral and choral forces.

The performance will feature baritone Christopher Williams and violinist Sarah Cresswell.

Folk music is represented by the English Folk Song Suite (1923) and a choral arrangement of The Turtle Dove.

Church pieces to be performed include his dramatic setting of Psalm 90, Lord, Thou Hast Been Our Refuge, the hymn All People That On Earth Do Dwell (with audience participation) his motet based on Psalm 47 O Clap Your Hands, and Let All The World from the Five Mystical Songs, settings of poems by George Herbert.

It also includes a performance of the ever-popular Fantasia on Christmas Carols for baritone, choir and orchestra.

And the orchestra will play The Lark Ascending, where the violin soloist takes on the flight and song of the skylark.

Tickets at the door are £5, £10, £20 ­— pay what you can afford ­— for the Ukraine appeal.