Spring 2026

On 27th March 2026, at 7.30pm, at All Saints' Church Brixworth, we sang two pieces: Fauré's Requiem, and Cecilia McDowall's Magnificat.

As a bonus, Ian and our keyboard accompanist Richard Dunster-Sigtermans gave us some piano duets, three movements from Fauré's Dolly Suite: Berceuse, Kitty-Valse, and Le Jardin de Dolly.

Fauré's Requiem is, of course, is well known, much loved for its serenity and beautiful harmonies. In fact, we have sung and enjoyed it before.

​By contrast the McDowall is new to most of us, and we are enjoying the chance to learn more of this British composer, now in her 70s. She wrote it for the Finchley Choral Society, making it good for amateur choirs to sing, and wanted to bring out its joyousness, of Mary as a mother-to-be, as well as the beauty and sense of spirituality in the text.

We were joined by soloists Anna Gould (soprano), Lydia Ward (mezzo), and Reuben Thomas (bass). We are particularly grateful to Lydia, who stood in at literally 24 hours notice for Nicola Beckley, who was indisposed.