A celebration of the 150th anniversary of the rebuilding of the organ and the arrival of Walter Parratt at Great Witley. Parratt went on from Great Witley to become professor of Music at Oxford University and Master of the Queen’s Music.
Programme:
- Prelude and Fugue in G, BWV 541 J.S. Bach (1685-1750)
- Choristers: Jesu, joy of man’s desiring J.S.Bach
- Panis angelicus C. Franck (1822-90)
- My song is love unknown Malcolm Archer (b.1952)
- Organ concerto, Op 4, No 4 G.F Handel (1685-1759); transcr. Marcel Dupré 1889-1971)
- Allegro – Andante – Adagio - Allegro
- Choristers: Missa Brevis Benjamin Britten (1911-76)
- Kyrie – Gloria – Sanctus – Benedictus – Agnus Dei
- Interval
- Fantasia in D minor Alan Gray (1855-1935)
- From Messiah: How beautiful are the feet George Frederick Handel (1685-1759)
- Virgin Mary’s cradle song Sir Edward Bairstow (1874-1946)
- King of glory, king of peace Sir William Harris (1886-1973)
- 3 pieces:
- A fancy Sir William Harris
- Maytime Gavotte Alfred Hollins (1865-1941)
- Choral Dorien Jehan Alain (1911-40)
- The Whirlwind Sir Walter Parratt (1841-1924) (Organist of St George’s Chapel, 1882-1924; appointed Organist of Great Witley Church, 1860)
Timothy Byram-Wigfield
Timothy Byram-Wigfield was appointed Director of Music of St George’s Chapel in 2003, following appointments at Jesus College, Cambridge, and St Mary’s Cathedral, Edinburgh, where he was appointed the first Master of Music in 1991.
A chorister of King’s College, Cambridge, he was Organ Scholar at Christ Church, Oxford, before taking up the post of Sub-Organist at Winchester Cathedral. During this time he studied with David Sanger, and was a finalist in the Performer of the Year Competition presented by the Royal College of Organists.
Alongside his duties in conducting the Choir of St George’s Chapel in its daily services and events of royal and national significance, he continues to perform as an organist, recording regularly on the Delphian, Regent and Priory labels. Current projects include completing his recorded survey of the organ music of William Harris, participation in a new recording of The Organs of Edinburgh, a second disc of transcribed overtures from Rochdale Town Hall, a DVD for Priory Records, and a performance marking the 100th anniversary of the instrument in All Saints, Margaret Street in London. He teaches piano and organ at Eton College, is an examiner for the Royal College of Organists, and Associate Conductor of the Oxford Bach Choir.
The Boy Choristers of St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle
The Choir of St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle has been in existence since the year 1348, and, with the exception of the Commonwealth period (1649-60), has sung services in the Chapel continuously since then. The boy choristers of St George’s Chapel form the treble line of the Choir, and are selected by audition. They receive generous scholarships to attend St George’s School. Enquiries about being a chorister at St George’s are welcome at any time.
The Choir sings regularly in the presence of the Queen and other members of the Royal Family. Significant recent highlights have included the Blessing of the Marriage of TRH The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, and HM The Queen’s 80th birthday celebrations.
Recent concerts, tours and recordings have continued to bring the sound of St George’s to wider audiences. Recent collaborations have included concerts and projects with the Russian National Orchestra, the English Chamber Orchestra, the Southbank Sinfonia, and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. The Choir is also forging relationships with a number of recording companies, significantly Delphian Records, and Naxos. The Choir has toured to a number of countries, most recently Switzerland, Norway, and France. In 2006 the Choir travelled to New York to take part in the fifth commemoration of 9/11 at the British Memorial Garden, in the presence of HRH The Duke of York. In 2007 it made a return visit to the USA, singing in Boston, and Washington, and venues in Virginia.
Last September St George’s Choir collaborated with the Choir of King’s College, Cambridge in a special joint concert in St George’s Chapel, during the Windsor Festival, as part of the celebrations to mark the 500th anniversary of Henry VIIIth’s accession to the throne.