Written between the two Wars, Ireland’s These Things Shall be is a powerful expression of humanistic and enlightenment values, a faith in the agency of individuals and a pacifist worldview. Ian Venables’ song cycle explores themes of love and sexuality through the poetry of the 19th and early 20th centuries. “Although the cycle’s underlying narrative portrays the love of man for man, I wanted to end the work with a celebration of the universality of love and especially the deep love that is found in a long-lasting relationship. This is a love that transcends sexual categories and is at the heart of a humane world where gay people no longer need to hide in ‘the shadows.’ Elgar’s Second Symphony is one of his most powerful and personal works, a musical portrait of a man and a civilisation standing at a turning point in history.

Elgar Festival 2025 - Gala Concert

Worcester Cathedral

Perhaps no other orchestra has done so much to champion the incredible tradition of British music for strings as the legendary English String Orchestra, whose recordings carry the music of England from Elgar to today to listeners worldwide. William Walton was perhaps the true heir of Elgar’s legacy, and his Sonata for Strings is one of the highest peaks in the string orchestra literature. The programme opens with a set of short pieces which showcase Elgar’s genius for the miniature and continues with works showcasing two of today’s most engaging and exciting composers, Peter Fribbins and Ian Venables. Rosalind Ventris is the featured soloist.

Elgar Festival 2025 - Elgar’s Strings in Malvern

Great Malvern Priory

Join us for an evening of profound musical reflection at the Three Choirs Festival: Venables’s Requiem, set within the historic and awe-inspiring Worcester Cathedral on Friday, 2nd August 2024, at 7:30 pm. This event promises an unforgettable experience as we present Ian Venables’s Requiem, a masterpiece that intertwines entrancing melodies with the poignant themes of comfort and remembrance. The composition draws inspiration from the timeless works of Howells and Vaughan Williams, creating a space for contemplation and solace.

The evening will also feature the Three Choirs Festival Youth Choir, showcasing their vocal talents in Cecilia McDowall’s Shipping Forecast, a piece that captures the majesty and power of the sea, marking the centenary of the shipping forecast's first broadcast. Additionally, in celebration of Stanford’s anniversary year, we present Jeremy Dibble’s new arrangement of the Sonata for String Orchestra, derived from movements of Stanford’s string quartets.

Under the baton of conductor Adrian Partington, with Ben Cooper as the narrator, the program promises a rich tapestry of sounds and emotions. The concert spans approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes, including an interval, allowing audiences to fully immerse themselves in the music.

Tickets are priced between £15 and £58, offering a range of seating options to accommodate all attendees. For further information and to secure your tickets once sales open, please contact the Three Choirs Festival Box Office at 01452 768928 or email info3choirs.org.

Do not miss this opportunity to experience the beauty and depth of Venables’s Requiem, a work that resonates with the universal themes of life, loss, and eternal hope.

Ian Venables

Events

Past events

May 31, 2025

Elgar Festival 2025 - Gala Concert · English Symphony Orchestra

May 30, 2025

Elgar Festival 2025 - Elgar’s Strings in Malvern · English Symphony Orchestra

About

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