Concert start time: 7.30pm

Bach Mass in B Minor
Anna Thorvaldsdottir Heyr þú oss himnum á

Crouch End Festival Chorus
The Hanover Band
Anna Dennis soprano
Marta Fontanals-Simmons mezzo-soprano
Benjamin Hulett tenor
Henry Waddington bass-baritone
David Temple conductor

Bach’s Mass in B minor is an inspired reworking of compositions from different periods of his life, drawn together in his final years. The result is a choral masterpiece that uses the full range of musical styles Bach explored in the course of his career, and one that stretches the stamina and technique of singers and players alike. As such, the Mass could be seen as the ultimate Bach showcase: a unified expression of his genius as a composer.

Anna Thorvaldsdottir wrote Heyr þú oss himnum á for the Skálholt Summer Concert Series, August 2005. The work is written from an old Icelandic psalm by Olafur á Söndum (1560–1627). There are numerous verses in the psalm – four of them are used in this piece.

For this performance, CEFC is delighted to collaborate with The Hanover Band, one of the UK’s finest period instrument orchestras, as well as four outstanding soloists.