Addison Singers to Bid Farewell to Long-time Music Director
Winter concert will be the last to be conducted by David Wordsworth
Addison Singers musical director David Wordsworth
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After more than a quarter of a century conducting the Addison Singers, music director David Wordsworth is placing his baton back in its box.
The winter concert on 26 November at St Peter's Church on Southfield Road will be his last, having led both the oratorio and chamber choirs since 1995.
He will bow out leading the Singers through Joseph Haydn's ‘Nelson Mass’ – regarded by many as the composer's greatest work. It acquired its 'Nelson' title as the first performance in 1798 coincided with the British naval commander's triumph over Napoleon at the Battle of the Nile.
The concert will also feature the premiere of Master of the King's Music Judith Weir's ‘O Sweet Spontaneous Earth’, commissioned for the occasion, as well as pieces by Gavin Bryars, Bob Chilcott, Cecilia McDowall, Howard Skempton and Howard Goodall... composers who have been associated with the Addison choirs for many years.
The assistant music director for the choirs – Matthew Hough – will be the soloist in Finzi’s ‘Eclogue for piano and strings’, with the Nelson Mass concluding the evening and featuring four young soloists, the Brandenburg Sinfonia and both the Oratorio and Chamber Choirs.
The Addison Singers divide into four choirs – two classical, two jazz – and rehearse at Hammersmith's Posk centre at 238 King Street. Singing classes are organised for beginners, intermediates and more accomplished singers.
Under the direction of David Wordsworth, the choirs have appeared on prestigious stages across Europe, and at New York City’s Carnegie Hall. Landmarks include a series of debut performances of works he personally commissioned, with high points including 150 singers performing Howard Goodall’s ‘Eternal Light’ in the presence of the composer, and an evening of the music of Morten Lauridsen, with the composer himself at the piano.
David was also artistic director of Singing Shakespeare, a project focusing on choirs around the world singing different settings of Shakespeare texts.
The Addison Oratorio and Chamber Choirs in concert
The concert on Saturday 26 November will be held St Peter's Church Acton Green, in Southfield Road, W4 1BB, at 7.30pm.
Tickets are available here, with advance prices ranging from £3 for under 16s to £17. Tickets may be available on the door.
The Addison Singers rehearse with David Wordsworth
If you are interested in joining the Addison Singers visit the choirs' website.
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November 8, 2022
