Dvořák – Mass in D, with Wind Quintet

If you have not visited St Mary’s Church, Ely recently – or perhaps ever – Ely Consort’s Concert on Saturday 9th March provides the perfect opportunity to come and see the incredible changes that have taken place in this beautiful building. A recently completed major building project has transformed the interior of this historic church into a warm, bright and inviting space, with comfortable seating perfect for listening to an evening of glorious choral music performed by one of the area’s leading chamber choirs. The main work of the evening will be Dvořák’s highly attractive Mass in D. Dvořák was commissioned to compose this mass by the Czech architect and patron Josef Hlávka for the inauguration of the chapel that he had built for his summer residence in Lužany. It was first performed in 1887, conducted by the composer. Our performance will be accompanied by The Quintessentials wind quintet in a recently published new arrangement of the original organ accompaniment; even if you have heard this piece recently, this fascinating new accompaniment will reveal the work in a new light. Other pieces in the programme include Sir Charles Villiers Stanford’s much-loved group of three motets: Justorum animae, Coelos ascendit hodie and Beati quorum via, paired with Janet Wheeler’s imaginative Homage to Stanford, based on the final piece of the set.