Pershore Abbey
Saturday 22 June 7.30 pm

CBSO Centre, Birmingham
Saturday 6 July 7.30 pm

Paul Spicer- conductor

Birmingham Bach Choir

Martyn Rawles - pianist

The Birmingham Bach Choir has been exploring a variety of new repertoire in recent years and has been pushing its boundaries considerably. Our centenary season summer concert is an exploration of the negro spiritual and its treatment in the hands of a variety of composers. The spiritual is an extraordinarily powerful, emotional experience and the struggle of those who sang these original songs, presenting a Christian message whilst also bemoaning the terrible hardships they experienced as slaves, is as visceral an experience today as it must have been back in their day.

We are presenting a varied programme from classic arrangements by the brilliant black American Moses Hogan, to Tippett’s famous arrangements from A Child of our Time, Rutter’s large-scale work based on spirituals called Feel the Spirit, and a new work to the words of one of the most famous spirituals of all, Steal Away, by Paul Spicer. Paul has written an original work not based on the original spiritual melody but it being obvious that it was in his mind all the while he was composing.

Come and experience what will be a truly emotive evening. We aim to move you deeply!

Programme:

Moses Hogan:
My soul’s been anchored in the Lord

Wade in the water

Elijah Rock

Rutter:
Feel the spirit

Tippett:
Five spirituals from A Child of our Time

Will Todd:
My Lord has come

Paul Spicer:
Steal away

Tickets: £16 (£14 concessions)

 BUY TICKETS here for PERSHORE ABBEY,  22 June

Unreserved seating

Adult ticket PERSHORE 22 June £16

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Concession ticket PERSHORE 22 June  £14

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 BUY TICKETS here for CBSO CENTRE, Birmingham, 6 July

Unreserved seating

Adult ticket CBSO Centre 6 July £16

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Concession ticket CBSO Centre 6 July  £14

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If you encounter any difficulty buying online or would prefer to buy offline please click here to contact our Ticket Officer

More about the concert venues:

Pershore Abbey

Church Walk, Pershore WR10 1BB

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With history going back to the 10th century (the reign of King Edgar) the main building of this Benedectine Abbey began in about 1100 and was added to in the fourteenth century. The Abbey was then closed as a monastery 1539 (during the dissolution of the monasteries under Henry VIII) when it was reported:  “Monckes drynk an bowll after collacyon tell ten or xii of the clock, and cum to mattens as dronck as myss, and sume at cardes, sume at dyss.” (Monks drink a bowl after breakfast until ten o’clock and come to Matins as drunk as mice, some (playing) at cards, some at dice.)

The abbey church however has remained in use as a parish church with various additions and restorations since it’s dissolution and is a frequent concert venue.

It is within an easy walk of parking and the town centre.

Drinks will be served in the interval (outside if weather permits)

For more information about Pershore Abbey, including maps, please visit www.pershoreabbey.org.uk

CBSO Centre

Berkely Street, Birmingham B1 2LF

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Built in 1997 as the home for the CBSO Orchestra the Centre has a comfortable concert auditorium.

Just off Broad Street, Berkley Street is within an easy walk of canal side restaurants & bars, The Mail Box and Brindley Place.

Drinks will be served in the interval

For more information about CBSO Centre , including maps, please visit www.cbso.co.uk

16 November 7.30 pm

Lichfield Cathedral

Tickets available from 1st July

Birmingham Workshop & Concert

28 September 2019

St Philip’s Cathedral, Birmingham

Workshop details click here

  Concert details click here

Saturday 1 February 2 - 6 pm

Led by Paul Spicer

Selly Oak Methodist Church, Birmingham B29

More details with tickets release from 1 October 2019