Excitement builds for this year’s Edington Music Festival

The 64th Edington Music Festival will shortly be under way, taking place from 18th-25th August in the Priory Church, Edington.

Organisers report, “After the commemorations of 2018, this year’s theme, Laudate Dominum, (‘Praise the Lord’), is all about celebration, examining the relationship between worship and many aspects of our daily lives – Public Service, Nature, Education, Science, Healing and of course Music.

“The four daily services, sung by over 70 choristers from the UK’s Cathedrals and Collegiate Choirs, accompanied by some of the best organists in the country, include some absolute gems of sacred choral music.  Plainchant, of course, then works by Byrd, Weelkes, and Palestrina; Leighton, Vaughan Williams, Britten and more.  The Requiem Mass returns to its usual Friday evening slot, and this year it is the sublime Requiem by Maurice Duruflé. The festival commission is from David Bednall; ‘Seek him that maketh the seven stars’ will be premiered on Wednesday 21st August during the annual live recording of Evensong for BBC Radio 3. One of the great musical highlights will be Benjamin Britten’s ‘Rejoice in the Lamb’ at Evensong on Saturday 24th, the focus of the week’s music leading up to it. 

“Regular attenders to the festival will be pleased that Jeremy Summerly is returning to take charge of the Consort; Matthew Martin continues his direction of the Nave Choir of men and boys, and Peter Stevens leads the Schola in their superb singing of plainchant, at Matins and Compline especially. Former Festival Director Ashley Grote is one of the great organists who will be playing the organ before Evensong (Friday 23rd). 

“There are still some places available for the Festival lunch on Saturday 24th; booking details are available from Susie Hancock on 01225 754626.

“You can find all the information about the festival and this year’s full programme either online at www.edingtonfestival.org, or from the festival leaflet which is being widely distributed.”