German choral greats

Choral director Neil MacKenzie has chosen a scintillating programme of nearly two centuries of germanic choral compositions, punctuated by some fine organ works, featuring five of the leading masters in this genre. 

Following two superb motets by JS Bach, the composer described by Beethoven as 'the immortal god of harmony,’ the concert will highlight strikingly different works of a later German romanticism, which in the hands of Schubert, Mendelssohn and Brahms could lay claim to being inspired by the idealism of Beethoven's Choral symphony - 'all men becoming brothers.’ 

The programme concludes with Schoenberg’s infrequently performed and technically formidable ‘Friede auf Erden.’ The expressive power of this motet, one of his last tonal pieces, shows his developing disillusionment with musical harmony and with humanity itself.

7.30pm Saturday 30th March 2019
St Peter’s Church
70 St Peter’s Street
St Albans AL1 3HG