Shropshire: Classical
Saturday 18 April 2026
7:30pm
Shrewsbury Abbey
Sean Godden: piano
Shrewsbury Choral
Shrewsbury Sinfonia
Anne Tupling: leader
Martin Cook: conductor
Mendelssohn: Overture Hebrides, Op.26
Haydn: Heiligmesse Hob.XXII:10
Brahms: Piano concerto No.2 in B♭ major, Op.83
The concert opens with Mendelssohn's Hebrides overture of 1832 sometimes referred to as Fingal's Cave. Overture is something of a misnomer as it isn't the overture to anything, but a stand-alone work that might have been called a symphonic poem had it been composed 20 years later. Certainly the musical imagery of Scotland's coastline is palpable.
Haydn’s Missa Sancti Bernardi von Offida popularly known as the Heiligmesse stands among the radiant masterpieces of his late sacred music, written at the height of his creative powers. Balancing reverence with vitality, the Mass blends choral grandeur, elegant orchestral writing, and moments of striking intimacy. Its shifting moods — from the luminous serenity of the Kyrie to the jubilant energy of the Gloria and the confident affirmation of the Credo — showcase Haydn’s gift for pairing spiritual depth with expressive immediacy. With its refined craftsmanship and uplifting spirit, the Heiligmesse offers a moving testament to Haydn’s mature artistry and remains one of his most captivating contributions to the choral tradition.
Brahms’s second Piano Concerto is a towering masterpiece — expansive, symphonic, yet unexpectedly intimate. From the opening horn call and sweeping piano reply, the work unfolds with both grandeur and warmth, revealing Brahms at his most generous. The concerto’s four movements offer striking contrasts: turbulent brilliance, lyrical introspection, a tender cello-led slow movement, and a finale full of buoyant charm. Pianist and orchestra share an unusually equal partnership, weaving a conversation that is both virtuosic and deeply emotional.
Tickets: £20 (U18 - free) HERE