"St. Mary’s Church in Reigate played host to a very special concert on 21st October, witnessing a standing ovation for a triumphant world première of a new work by Paul Carr, his Stabat Mater, commissioned by the English Arts Chorale. Paul was present and provided an impassioned introduction to the piece, and afterwards commented that “last night’s première of my Stabat Mater in Reigate was one of those magical occasions for me as a composer; so beautifully and stylishly presented by Leslie Olive and the English Arts Chorale, [while] the EAC Ensemble were outstanding. Many in the audience seemed genuinely moved and spoke to me afterwards; it’s not often an audience stands in ovation. I’m a very happy composer today!”
The concert also featured the four evocative Nocturnes by Morten Lauridsen - including ‘Sure on this Shining Night’ which has become a signature piece for the EAC; a choral arrangement of Elgar’s Sea Pictures by Christopher Phelps; and Samuel Barber’s String Quartet with its well-loved Adagio movement. The concert programme included exclusive interviews for the EAC by both Paul Carr and Morten Lauridsen. This enthralling concert was equally well-received when repeated in St John’s College Chapel, Cambridge on 28th October.
The EAC return to St Mary’s Church, Reigate on Saturday 2nd December for a varied concert featuring Vaughan Williams’ ever-popular The Lark Ascending, with the brilliant young violinist Savitri Grier; a full string version of the Barber Adagio, and the Britten Serenade for Tenor, Horn and Strings. There will also be choral works by Lauridsen, Finzi and Olive."
Simon Winter