| At the heart of the concert is a performance of Sir John Rutter’s famed Requiem. |
| Completed in 1985, and dedicated to the composer’s late father, Rutter’s Requiem consists of seven movements and is, for many, his masterpiece. Utilising both English and Latin texts, it begins with a slow brooding section before eventually reaching it’s peaceful, resting, conclusion. |
| Described by the composer as intimate, contemplative and consolatory, it’s a highly accessible and inclusive work. Fired to write his own Requiem after seeing the original manuscript of Gabriel Faure’s own Requiem in Paris some years earlier, Rutter’s work has become one of the best-loved and most widely performed choral works of the 20th century. |
| Accompanying the Requiem is a lesser known work by Rutter, Hymn To The Creator of Light. Written in memory of composer Herbert Howells, who died in 1983, it was first performed at the 1992 dedication of the stained glass window made in Howells’ memory at Gloucester Cathedral. Brimming with a mystical intensity, its harmonies echo Howells’ own music. |
| The final work of the night is Laudes Organi (In Praise of the Organ), the last piece written by Zoltán Kodaly, in 1966 – the year before he died. |
| Discussing the concert, Birmingham Bach Choir’s Conductor and Music Director Paul Spicer, said: “Balancing these two beautiful Rutter pieces is an unusual work for choir and organ by the Hungarian composer Zoltán Kodaly. Commissioned by the American Guild of Organists it does, of course, feature a very colourful organ part while the choir sings a 12th century Latin text which resembles a manual of organ instruction. |
| “It makes for a dramatically colourful and exciting contrast to the Rutter works.” |
| Joining Birmingham Bach Choir and Paul Spicer and choir for Let There Be Light are Joseph Roberts (cello) and Tommy Hill (oboe), from the Sinfonia of Birmingham; organist Martyn Rawles; and soprano Ciará Preston Myakicheff. |
| Having studied Vocal Performance at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Ciará was awarded an Ex Cathedra Choral Scholarship for 2020–21, and sang with the newly-formed Scholars’ Consort, directed by Jeffrey Skidmore. Joining Birmingham Bach Choir on several occasions, for both concerts and recordings, her last concert appearance with the choir was for 2024’s well-received Summer Concert. |
| Bournville Parish Church is situated in the heart of the Birmingham suburb of Bournville. Designed by architect William Alexander Harvey based on the early Christian basilica style, it’s dedicated to Saint Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and the environment, and has been a place of calm and beauty, and prayer, in the model village for one hundred years. Harvey also designed numerous other buildings in Bournville, many influenced by the Arts and Craft movement. |
| Let There Be Light will mark the choir’s first appearance at the church in over a decade. |
Birmingham Bach Choir: Let There Be Light is at Bournville Parish Church, Birmingham, on Saturday 22 November 2022, at 6pm. For tickets and more details see: birmingham.bachchoir.com
| LISTINGS |
| Saturday 22 November 2025 Birmingham Bach Choir: Let There Be Light Bournville Parish Church, Sycamore Road, Bournville, Birmingham B30 2AA 6pm Tickets £22 (+ £2.54 booking fee), concessions £20 (+ £2.21 booking fee) Students £12 (+ £1.70 booking fee). Disabled plus carer tickets available Web: https://birmingham.bachchoir.com Email: tickets@birmingham.bachchoir.com |
| Programme Rutter: Requiem Rutter: Hymn To The Creator Of Light Kodály: Laudes Organi |
| Birmingham Bach Choir Paul Spicer: Conductor Martyn Rawles: Organist Ciara Preston Myakicheff: Soloist (Soprano) Joseph Roberts: Cello Tommy Hill: Oboe |
| ABOUT BIRMINGHAM BACH CHOIR |
| As one of the UK’s leading large chamber choirs, Birmingham Bach Choir has been contributing to the musical life of the West Midlands since 1919, making it one of the longest established musical groups in the area. Although the main focus is the Baroque period (especially JS Bach), the choir performs music spanning 600 years, including 20th and 21st century works, and has premiered many new choral works. |
| 2019 was the choir’s centenary, a year which saw them make a series of special appearances, including a Gala Concert at Lichfield Cathedral and a performance for Royalty. Meanwhile, the 2022-2023 Season marked Conductor Paul Spicer’s 30th anniversary with the choir and included the first West Midlands performance of Rachmaninoff’s Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom in Liturgical Slavonic in living memory. |
| FORTHCOMING CONCERTS & ACTIVITIES |
| Sunday 14 December 2025 Nine Lessons and Carols St Alban’s Church, Highgate, Birmingham B12 Traditional seasonal service. 3.30 pm, free/donations All welcome – no tickets required |
| Saturday 31 January 2026 Come & Sing! Mendelssohn’s Hymn Of Praise Selly Oak Methodist Church, Birmingham Annual workshop, open to all choral singers 2pm-6pm |
| Saturday 14 March 2026 Sacred Music Featuring pieces by Byrd, Gesauldo, Gibbons, Lotti, Phinot, Tallis & Victoria St Chad’s Cathedral, Birmingham |
| ABOUT BOURNVILLE PARISH CHURCH |
| Bournville Parish Church is a vibrant and growing church of people of all ages and backgrounds. For more details see: bournvilleparishchurch.org.uk |