To mark the First World War Centenary and to honour heroes in every generation, Birmingham Bach Choir has commissioned a new choral Symphony Unfinished Remembering with words by Euan Tait and music from the distinguished composer, Paul Spicer.
The premiere of the symphony, believed to be the only one written especially to mark this centenary, will be performed in Birmingham in the Symphony Hall, on 13 September 2014 at a special concert to mark the start of the commemoration period of this region . The performers will include the renowned Orchestra of the Swan and internationally famous soloists Sarah Fox and William Dazeley. The programme will also include Dona Nobis Pacem by Vaughan Williams and A Shared Singing, a new national song to be performed by a military choir, and again composed especially to mark this important commemoration.
A spokesperson for the Choir said: “This will be a great event for the whole city of Birmingham, and beyond. We expect many distinguished guests, National and regional, but the aim is to bring together people from all walks of life, who wish to mark this historic occasion and remember our servicemen and women and all those caught up in the conflict of war- past and present.
“Euan Tait wrote in 2010 ‘We must remember, in order to stay human, the reality of our own brokenness and the anniversary of the First World War is a powerful reminder … of what it will always mean for us, a seesaw of troubling questions yet proud gratitude’…”
The project is constantly evolving with regular updates available on the Choir’s website: www.birmingham.bachchoir.com.
The Choir are actively fund-raising to support the performance and the recording of the music on CD. Anyone interested in fund-raising or making a donation please contact: commission@birmingham.bachchoir.com
Birmingham Bach Choir is a member of the First World War Centenary Partnership, a network of local, regional, national and international cultural and educational organisations led by IWM (Imperial War Museums). There are currently 1,400 members from across 27 countries and the Partnership continues to grow on a weekly basis.
Diane Lees, Director- General of IWM said: “The First World War was a turning point in world history. One hundred years on, we are all connected to the First World War, either through our own family history, the heritage of our local communities or because of its long-term impact on society and the world we live in today.
“Together, the First World War Centenary Partnership is creating a cultural programme of events and activities to mark the centenary in your area, and commemorate the men and women played their part in the First World War, and its impact on our lives today.”
In late autumn this year, IWM will launch the First World War Centenary Partnership’s collective programme with an online centenary cultural events calendar on 1914.org. This will become the central hub for all the Partnership’s centenary activities and will showcase how and where people can get involved and mark the centenary across the nation.
For more information about the First World War Centenary Partnership visit www.1914.org
Notes To Editors:
For further information about IWM’s First World War Centenary Partnership contact:
Lucy Donoughue, Head of Communications, IWM. Tel; 020 7416 5311/07780 439938
Email: ldonoughue@iwm.org.uk
Bryony Phillips, Corporate Communications Manager, IWM, Tel; 020 7416 5316/07791 098745
Email: bphillips@iwm.org.uk
For further information on Birmingham Bach Choir and the project, please contact us.
Four Four Eight 