Preview

Chester Music Society Choir/ Chester Cathedral

PRINCE CHARLES praised him, but music critic Cornetto (a pen name of George Bernard Shaw) derided him. Hubert Parry was described as the finest British composer since Purcell, but his star soon set when the true genius, Elgar, appeared on the scene.

However, at the turn of the 20th century, Parry wrote choral music which was good to sing and good to listen to. Chester Music Society Choir sing three of his finest at Chester Cathedral on Saturday night. Blest Pair of Sirens, Songs of Travel and the ubiquitous Jerusalem, written to boost morale during the Great War.

The Requiem of ex-King’s Singers Bob Chilcott occupies the second half of the concert in which the choir is joined by Northern College soloists and the Liverpool Sinfonia Chamber Ensemble, and organist Philip Rushforth. Graham Jordan Ellis conducts.

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