Leighton: Columba mea
Leighton: Mass, Op. 44
Leighton: An evening hymn
Julian Allwood: Mettimi come un sigillo
Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No.3
Finzi: Eclogue
Palestrina: Descendi in hortum meum
Kenneth Leighton’s Mass Op. 44 is a glorious, largely unaccompanied work scored for double choir. The lesser known Columba mea is a setting of biblical love poetry from the Song of Songs for choir, harpsichord and strings, dedicated to his widow Jo, who is giving her personal backing to this concert.
The Song of Songs is also the source for the motet by Palestrina, who was one of Leighton’s favourite composers, and for Julian Allwood’s work (which is dedicated to HIS wife). Bach and Finzi, two composers who particularly influenced Leighton, are represented by instrumental works.
An Evening Hymn, a moving and elegiac work for unaccompanied solo soprano and choir, closes the concert.