World-renowned composer, conductor and former King’s Singers singer Bob Chilcott is coming to Debrecen to perform with the Kodály Choir.
It is almost a tradition for the Debrecen choir to welcome a renowned foreign conductor for a joint concert every season. Following Gary Graden and Peter Broadbent (after a two-year absence due to the pandemic), this year Bob Chilcott is working with the Kodály Choir. According to Zoltán Kocsis-Holper, the choir’s principal conductor, Bob Chilcott is a conductor with outstanding singing experience as a member of the King’s Singers, and from whom the choir would like to learn primarily about singing technique and ensemble singing. He added that, on the other hand, as Chilcott is constantly touring the world, and guest conducting many ensembles and conducting courses in many places, they will gain insights into current trends in choral singing around the world through him. Speaking about the programme, the Principal Conductor said that Bob Chilcott’s joint concert with the Kodály Choir will give audiences the opportunity to experience and learn about outstanding works from the centuries-old English choral tradition, and Chilcott’s exceptional and authentic sources.
As a composer, conductor and singer, Bob Chilcott has been involved in choral music all his life. He started as a choral musician and researcher at King’s College, Cambridge, and was a member of the King’s Singers for 12 years. Since 1997 his ‘main job’ has been composing, and his extensive catalogue of compositions includes works for all types of choirs. He has conducted choirs in over 30 countries worldwide and has worked with thousands of amateur singers in the UK. He was the conductor of the Royal College of Music in London for seven years and has been the principal guest conductor of the BBC Singers since 2002. His music has been recorded in performances by leading British and acclaimed foreign choirs. His album In Winter with Katie Melua has reached the top 10 in the UK and German album charts. In 2017 he was awarded an Honorary Fellowship of The Royal School of Church.
Details of the concert:
Royal music
Date: 22nd April 2022, 7 p.m.
Location: University of Debrecen, Aula
Performers: Kodály Choir Debrecen
Conductor: Bob Chilcott
Programme: Byrd: Sing Joyfully / Byrd: O Lord, Make Thy Servant, Elizabeth, Our Queen / Byrd: Vigilate / Chilcott: The Lily and the Rose / Chilcott: The Rose in the Middle of Winter / Shaw: And the Swallow / Barber: Sure on this Shining Night / Britten: Hymn to St Cecilia / Albright: Chichester Mass / Chilcott: Marriage to my Lady Poverty / Chilcott: Thou, My Love, Art Fair / Dove: Ring Out, Wild Bells
More information and tickets: www.kodalyfilharmonia.hu
