J.S. Bach - Mass in B Minor
Saturday 28th March 2015 at 7.30pm
Conducted by David Ogden
The Lochrian Ensemble
Leader Catherine Black
Natalie Clifton-Griffith Soprano
Alexandra Gibson Mezzo soprano
Alexei Winter Tenor
Martin Le Poidevin Bass
Given as part of the St George’s Easter Passion festival, Exultate Singers and the Lochrian Ensemble perform Johann Sebastian Bach’s Mass in B minor, undoubtedly one of the greatest works in the choral repertoire.
Famous for the beauty and power of the vocal and orchestral writing, this monumental work incorporates elements from compositions that span many years of Bach’s career, developed and refined during his last years of life to create a masterpiece of the Baroque era.
From the majestically solemn opening Kyrie to the celebratory blaze of trumpets and drums that concludes the final Dona nobis pacem, Bach’s music expresses the full range of human emotions from intense sadness to great joy and zest for life.
Natalie Clifton-Griffith soprano
Natalie studied at the Birmingham Conservatoire and the Royal College of Music. Highlights of her solo career include Bach's Magnificat (Barbican Hall, ECO), St John Passion and Cantata 82a (Hanover Band), Mass in B Minor (Lyon Early Music Festival), Cantata 209 Non sa che sia dolore (Purcell Room and CBSO centre), and Handel's Messiah at most major cathedrals in England, Apollo e Dafne and Alexander Balus (London Handel Festival) and Laudate Pueri (Welsh Baroque Orchestra). Natalie appears frequently as a soloist with The English Concert and Ex Cathedra on CD and concerts including Lalande's Dies Irae at the BBC Proms. She performs regularly with consort vocal groups such as Ex Cathedra, Tenebrae, I Fagiolini, The Sixteen and The BBC Singers.
Alexandra Gibson mezzo soprano
Alexandra is particularly well known for her interpretation of Baroque music and has collaborated with Harry Christophers and the Symphony of Harmony and Invention, Laurence Cummings and The London Handel Players, Emmanuelle Haim and Concert D'astree, Roger Norrington and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Christian Curnyn and The Early Opera Company, Paul McCreesh and the Gabrieli Consort, The Norwegian Chamber Orchestra, Trevor Pinnock and the English Consort, The Scottish Chamber Orchestra, The Berlin Philharmonic, The Bardi Orchestra, The Academy of Ancient Music and The London Mozart Players.
Alexei Winter tenor
Alexei is currently studying at Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, under the tutelage of Adrian Thompson. He appears regularly as a soloist in Bristol and the South West. Recent highlights include Radio 3 broadcasts and foreign tours with Bristol Cathedral, a performance of Monteverdi Vespers with the City of Bristol Choir and His Majesty’s Sagbutts and Cornets, Christmas Oratorio (Evangelist) and Messiah with Dartington Community Choir. In 2012, Alexei took part in the Association of English Speakers and Singers (AESS) English Art Song Competition held at the Royal Academy of Music, winning second prize with a nocturnal programme full of moonlight and shadows. Recently, Alexei added his first opera role to his repertoire – that of Flute in Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Martin Le Poidevin bass
Martin is a well-known oratorio soloist in the west country, with a wide repertoire in many styles. He has performed as soloist with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, the Brno Philharmonic and many other orchestras. Recent engagements have included singing with the Tallis Scholars and I Fagiolini, and taking the leading role of Stalin in a new music-based play. Alongside his professional singing engagements, Martin is a member of the music staff at Clifton Cathedral, with whom he has made countless recordings and broadcasts. He regularly directs the diocesan choir and visits and advises parishes to help with their music-making.
The Lochrian Ensemble
The Lochrian Ensemble was formed in 1991 by four university and music college graduates. Twenty years on the current line up includes two of the founding members and performs a wide variety of repertoire from the chamber music genre as well as accompanying choral works, musicals and operatic productions, including work with City of Bristol Choir and Exultate Singers. The group is in great demand for a wide variety of events such as recitals, weddings, charity functions and festivals. It has recorded for film and television, notably The Ghost of Greville Lodge, The Fruits of Labour and numerous BBC’s Songs of Praise.
Tickets
Tickets are available in four price bands:
Central stalls and central balcony £26 (£25 concessions)
Front row of side balconies, side stalls £23 (£22 concessions)
Side stalls (some restricted view) and second row of side balcony £16 (£14 concessions)
Front two rows of side stalls and third row of side balcony £12 (£10 concessions)
Students in full time education £6
Under 18s £4
For tickets bought through St George's box office, booking fees will apply: £1 administration fee charged per transaction plus £1 card transaction fee and 70p postage where applicable. For tickets bought through Exultate Singers' box office there is no booking fee.
Venue
St George's, Great George Street, Bristol BS1 5RR
How to book
• Telephone St George's box office on 0845 40 24 001, open Monday to Friday from 12 noon to 6pm
• Or purchase from St George's box office in person. The box office is open for personal callers on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 12 noon to 6pm.
• Or buy online from the St George's box office
Venue
St George's Bristol, Great George Street, Bristol BS1 5RR
