A musical journey from darkness towards light
On the eve of Remembrance Sunday, we celebrate the enduring theme of light
Saturday 7th November 3pm
Lux Aeterna - eternal light
We invite you to join us on a musical journey from darkness towards light – from loss towards consolation, and from remembrance towards hope.
Light is a symbol shared by many faiths, cultures and philosophies. This programme explores that common thread through music reflecting on remembrance and eternal peace, taking us from contemplation towards hope. The concert concludes with Morten Lauridsen’s Lux Aeterna, his deeply expressive setting of texts from the Requiem Mass. With its luminous harmonies and profound sense of stillness, the work offers a fitting final meditation on eternal light and peace.
Halifax Minster
The concert begins with Gerald Finzi's Lo, the Full, Final Sacrifice. Taking its text from a 17th-century poem, the work reflects on sacrifice, death and redemption.
Cecilia McDowall's Ad Lucem continues the journey from darkness towards light. Highly atmospheric and richly textural, layers of voices overlap and intertwine, creating shifting washes of sound and a shimmering sense of luminosity, enhanced by the wonderful accoustic of Halifax Minster.
An organ solo is followed by Brahms' Song of Destiny (Schicksalslied ) a profound meditation on human suffering and the contrast between the struggles of earthly life and the serenity of the eternal.
We conclude the concert with two contrasting settings of the Latin text Lux Aeterna. First comes a rarely heard unaccompanied choral setting of Elgar's Nimrod, followed by Morten Lauridsen's interpretation of the same text. Lauridsen's music with its rich intensity and flowing melodies is hugely popular with choirs and audiences. Composed during his mother's illness, its serene beauty, glowing harmonies and radiant sense of peace have made Lux Aeterna a modern classic.
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Charles Murray, Niki Zohdi, Scarlett Reilly
Introducing Kámea Németh and Colin Shires
Singing with us for the first time at this concert are our brand-new Choral Scholars. Brummie-Hungarian singer, composer, music director and artist Kámea Németh, based in Manchester, joins us as our first Alto Scholar, alongside exciting young tenor Colin Shires.
Kámea Németh, Colin Shires
Finally, we are thrilled to welcome organist William Campbell. William was the winner of our 2025 Carol Composition Competition and has recently joined Peterborough Cathedral as Assistant Director of Music. We are delighted to welcome him back to Yorkshire!
