Rachmaninov - Piano Concerto No 2 - Vocalise - The Bells. Poulenc - Gloria

Rachmaninov

Poulenc Gloria, soloist Erica Eloff

While Rachmaninov’s rarely performed choral symphony The Bells, is the main choral work in this concert, the main attraction must surely be his renowned Piano Concerto No 2 in C minor, which will be performed by international pianist, Yuki Negishi, and the New London Sinfonia, the only professional orchestra visiting Southampton Guildhall this season.

The Bells was composed for soprano, tenor and baritone, with choir and a large, colourful orchestra. The original Russian text was freely adapted from Edgar Allan Poe’s poem of the same name. We will sing an English translation. Each of the four movements uses a different type of bell to portray a stage of human life – silver sleigh bells for birth and youth, golden wedding bells, bronze bells of warning, and the iron death bell. Followers of Southampton Philharmonic Choir will recognise the name of the soprano soloist, Erica Eloff, winner of the 2008 Handel Prize, and one of our favourite soloists. Erica will also be performing Rachmaninov’s Vocalise, a wordless song for soprano and orchestra, with a beautiful, haunting melody, and she is especially looking forward to the chance to sing this Rachmaninov treat.

The other choral work, Poulenc’s joyous setting of the Gloria, is one of the finest religious works of the 20th century.

Altogether this is - according to the Choir’s Musical Director, David Gibson - “the scrummiest programme I can think of!”

The Choir wishes to thank the Rachmaninoff Society for its help with programme notes for this concert. For information about the Society, visit their website.