THIS year is going to be extra special for members of Huddersfield Choral Society.
As it launches its 175th Season great things are expected and will, no doubt, be delivered by the Society to mark the special milestone.
Founded in 1836, Huddersfield Choral Society has an international reputation as the UK’s leading choral society, producing a unique and thrilling full-bodied ‘Huddersfield Sound’ from over 200 voices.
The repertoire includes both oratorio and religious music, contemporary and commissioned works.
From Verdi and Handel to the UK première of a major choral work by the acclaimed composer Jonathan Harvey, Huddersfield Choral Society’s programmes this season span four centuries of great music.
Many of the celebrations will take place in the town, but in keeping with their popularity, they’ll be taking what has made them so renowned elsewhere too.
On October 29 the Society is joining forces with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and its charismatic conductor Vasily Petrenko.
And it will be Verdi’s Requiem – one of the greatest choral masterpieces of all time – which they will perform.
The concert will be recorded for broadcast by Classic FM.
For many the annual performance of Messiah in Huddersfield is the highlight of the season, continuing an unbroken record since 1864. This year the Society will perform the Messiah on December 21 and 22 and it will be recorded by Signum Classics for a new release due out in April 2011.
The Society will also perform Messiah at the Sage in Gateshead on December 20.
There they welcome the return of Jane Glover to conduct the Northern Sinfonia and an excellent line-up of international soloists for all three performances.
Looking ahead to 2011, they are linking up with another Society also celebrating its 175th.
The Stratford-upon-Avon Choral Society has invited Huddersfield Choral Society to join them for a performance of Messiah on January 8 next year in the newly-refurbished Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
Later in 2011 the Society will perform Stainer’s Crucifixion on March 5 conducted by chorusmaster Joseph Cullen.
A workshop will precede the concert to develop and encourage singers of all ages – in partnership with the University of Huddersfield which is the Society’s principal sponsor – and the Mrs Sunderland Music Festival.
On April 1 Conductor Laureate Martyn Brabbins returns to Huddersfield with the Orchestra of Opera North for the UK première of Harvey Messages.
This concert will also include Stravinsky Symphony of Psalms.
The Society rounds off its 175th anniversary season with a gala performance of Elgar’s The Dream of Gerontius on Saturday June 18 – as near as possible to the original founding date of the Society in 1836. The Hallé will be conducted by Martyn Brabbins and a team of soloists.
l It’s a time not only to look back at the success of the last 175 years, but to look ahead and there’s no better way to do that than for the Society to work with the Junior Choirs who celebrate their 25th anniversary.
The Junior Choirs will be guests of Huddersfield Choral Society at its annual Christmas Concert on December 10.
To find out more visit www.huddersfieldchoralsociety.com. The Society also has its own Facebook and Twitter pages – search www.twitter.com/huddschoral and www.facebook.com/huddersfieldchoralsociety to join.
