The Choral Pilgrimage 2022: Hexham

Songs of Farewell: IV. There is an Old Belief

Overview

Ticket Prices: Free

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Access Information

Hexham Abbey provides disabled access to all public areas of the building with ramps, automatic doors, disabled toilet facilities and lifts. Hearing loop facilities are also available.

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A powerful programme of English choral music centred around Parry's emotional Songs of Farewell.

Hubert Parry’s Songs of Farewell must surely rank among some of the finest choral works ever written. Deeply affected by the First World War, Parry sought poetry that would reflect not only peace and unity and the search for a better world, but also an escape from the horrors of war.

The poems Parry chose to set are sublime, be they metaphysical poetry by John Donne and Henry Vaughan or the aching beauty of Thomas Campion’s verse. Perfectly complementing the rich sonority of Parry’s Songs are three short pieces by Campion, a selection of medieval carols and a new work by Cecilia McDowall.