Shades of Blues - Todd, Gershwin and Tippett

Will Todd Mass in Blue
Tippett Five Spirituals from A Child of our Time
Gershwin excerpts from Porgy and Bess

Southampton Philharmonic Choir & SU Philharmonic Choir

Mass in Blue is the perfect fusion of a traditional setting of the Mass with a variety of different styles of blues, jazz and gospel, backed by a jazz quartet of piano, bass, drums and alto sax with a spectacularly virtuoso soprano soloist soaring over the ensemble. The piece has a freshness and an immediate appeal that audiences of all ages and backgrounds adore and are easily swept up by the energy, rhythmic drive and some exquisite tunes!

Tippett’s Spirituals represent some of the most affectionate and sensitive arrangements of these well-known and much loved songs from the deep south of America, including “Deep River” and “Go down Moses” - familiar music in glorious arrangements.

Gershwin’s opera “Porgy and Bess” was one of his several attempts to be taken seriously as a composer of major significance. The result has given us some of the greatest melodies of all time, clearly demonstrated in these stunning arrangements of standards including “Summertime”, “Bess you is my woman now” and “It ain’t necessarily so”.