I Was Glad to be at St. Peter Mancroft Church

An Evening of English Song awaited us on the evening of Saturday 11th February 2012 at St. Peter Mancroft Church, Norwich from the Norwich Music Group with conductor Philip Aldred and leader Frances Banham. This concert was in support of Central Norfolk Stroke Services at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.

The programme consisted of The Clock Symphony - Haydn, Aria - Handel, Dear Lord and Father - Parry, Lux Aeterna - Elgar, Jerusalem - Parry, Faint with Love - Hawes, Love's Echo - Hawes, The Seals Lullaby - Whitacre, The Bluebird - Stanford, Quanta Qualia - Hawes, Blessed Pair of Sirens - Parry and I Was Glad - Parry.

One of the country's most popular and inspirational composers Patrick Hawes was in attended on the evening to make this a truly special night. Haydn's Clock Symphony is called this because of the ticking rhythm throughout the second movement and was a wonderful way to commence the concert. Veronica Grint gave a splendid performance of Handel before a trio of songs took us to the interval included a rousing version of Jerusalem which had the audience on their feet.

After the interval Patrick Hawes witnessed three of his own compositions which were performed to the highest standard by the Norwich Music Group and Sonia Waters. Faint with Love, Love's Echo and Quanta Qualia are all wonderful pieces that delighted us all at St. Peter Mancroft Church. The evening came to an end with two classic compositions from Parry. Blessed Pair of Sirens and I Was Glad which are always a delight to listen too and especially on an evening like this.