Percy Grainger died 50 years ago in 1961. Franz Liszt was born 200 years ago in 1811 and Tomas Luis de Victoria died 400 years ago in 1611. William Byrd is not in an anniversary year but his masses are at the core of English choral repertory so they seemed the perfect choice to be included in this anniversary year for the Viva Voce Singers.
The evening started with a delightful performance from the choir of Byrd's Mass for Four Voices then more delights with Victoria's wonderful Latin church music including Ave Maria.
After the interval when I was served with a delicious glass of apple juice the choir sang Mary Thompson and The Gipsy's Wedding Day both Grainger English folk songs as well as Dalvisa a Swedish folk melody arranged by Grainger.
We were then taken into another direction by Benjamin Lee with a Liszt piano solo of Consolations S. 172 that was warmly received by the audience. The evening was completed with O mistress mine by Thomas Morley which Grainger gave a simple five part treatment. Brigg Fair which Grainger collected from a woodman, Joseph Taylor and finally Country Gardens which was Grainger's big hit.
This was a wonderful evening of music from the Viva Voce Singers that I'm sure everyone in attendance very much enjoyed.
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