On the 100^th anniversary of the Battle of Pozières the Choir of St James’ present a concert to honour heroes past and present, Songs of Legend, with a premiere performance as its centrepiece: ANZACS: A Generation Lost in Legend. The 7-movement work is scored for violin, brass quintet, percussion, vocal soloists, treble choir, mixed choir and organ. A haunting and beautiful setting by Janet Jennings (NZ) of poetry written by soldiers involved in World War I, the piece gives voice to the Australians and New Zealanders who served and gave their lives on the front line. Dr Jennings is well known in New Zealand for her engaging music for voices, instruments and the stage.

Josquin des Prez’ Missa L’homme armé sexti toni (‘in the sixth mode’) is a benchmark vocal piece of great compositional originality. It develops the ‘L’Homme armé’ (‘the armed man’) theme, a popular 15^th century French song, across all voice parts, including in retrograde, and plays with rhythm and scoring, among other devices. It is considered a masterpiece by the foremost composer of the time.

The Armed Man (A Mass for Peace) is one of Welsh composer Karl Jenkins’ best known and popular pieces. Originally scored for choir and symphony orchestra, the motets are a cappella arrangements of a selection of movements from The Armed Man.

The Programme: 

JOSQUIN – Missa L’homme armé sexti toni (excerpts)/ JENKINS – Two motets from The Armed Man (A Mass for Peace)/ LEIGHTON JONES – Gallipoli/ JENNINGS – ANZACS: A Generation Lost in Legend (World Premiere)

The Performers: The Choir of St James’ with Australian Baroque Brass, Director ~ Warren Trevelyan-Jones

Tickets:$50/45; to book call (02) 8256 2222, visit www.cityrecitalhall.com or purchase on the door