Concert Premiere of Wilby's Holy Face

Contemporary Oratorio for Brass, Organ and Massed Voices

Sheffield Philharmonic Chorus is thrilled to be joined by the Halifax Choral Society and the Yorkshire Youth Choir to sing Philip Wilby’s The Holy Face, with a group of splendid soloists. The singers will be accompanied by the world-famous Black Dyke Band in this concert premiere of Philip Wilby’s new oratorio for three choirs, brass band and organ. Commissioned by Halifax Choral Society to celebrate their 200th anniversary, the work was written for orchestra and brass band accompaniment, and last season the three choirs premiered the orchestral version in Halifax, and recorded the brass band version with the Black Dyke Band. Find More details here (preface from the vocal score) and buy the recording.

Also on the programme will be Welsh composer Paul Mealor‘s new work ‘Paradise‘, which the Chorus premiered with Black Dyke Band in Manchester last season as part of the prestigious Royal Northern College of Music Brass Band Festival. Paul Mealor came into the public eye when his motet ‘Ubi Caritas et Amor‘ was performed at the Royal wedding in 2011, and Chorus and Band recorded ‘Paradise’ for what is likely to prove a very popular new CD to be released later in the year.

Performers

Sheffield Philharmonic Chorus (Choir), Halifax Choral Society (Choir), Yorkshire Youth Choir (Choir) and Black Dyke Band (Brass Band)

Programme

• Philip Wilby: The Holy Face
• Paul Mealor: Paradise