It’s that time again…!

Director of the Choir of St John's Stephen Doughty writes about the forthcoming Annual Concert:

Katy Boyle, in an online discussion uttered possibly one of the world’s great truisms: “99 percent of the people you ask about it will profess to hate it, but they all love it really.” What is she talking about? The Eurovision Song Contest of course!

Yes, in just a few weeks’ time people the world over will be shouting and screaming at the TV, adhering closely to Terry Wogan’s observation that “there’s not enough silliness in the world. Eurovision keeps you balanced.” Here in the UK the popular media is hopping with the news that Engelbert Humperdinck with be representing the United Kingdom. However it is not this event that I refer to in my title, but a much more important one: The Annual Concert of the Choir of St John’s.

What’s the connection, you may ask? I bet you can sing the theme tune to the Eurovision contest, but do you know what it is? Since Eurovision’s beginnings the Prelude to Marc-Antoine Charpentier’s Te Deum has heralded in this great event and if you come to St John’s on Saturday 19 May at 7.30pm you can hear the piece in its original setting and in its entirety.

The words of the 4th century Te Deum are divided into multiple sections with some bright and cheery, dance-like full choruses, separated by a whole plethora of solos, duets and trios all of which are taken by different members of St John’s Choir and which together shows off the choir to great aplomb.

In the second half of the concert the choir will perform one of J.S. Bach’s most popular and enjoyable works, his Magnificat in D. Composed by Bach in his first year as Cantor of the Thomaskirche in Leipzig, the various verses of the Magnificat, (like the Te Deum above ) recalling the visitation of the angel Gabriel to Mary, are divided into 12 movements, contrasting solos with choruses. The choruses in particular are worthy of note. All in 5 parts they are full of drama and excitement and, if you’ll excuse me a momentary indulgence, suit the Choir of St John’s down to the ground.

The Choir will be joined by a suitably festive orchestra, full of flutes, oboes, trumpets and drums.  For those of you who have wanted to hear the choir in concert during the Edinburgh Festival but have been defeated by the sheer number of events that are on at the same time, here is the perfect opportunity. Tickets are available at the door but why not beat the rush and grab one in advance (0131 229 7565)? I’m sure you’ll be awarding DOUZE POINTS!!

Stephen Doughty