Programme
Tippett – A Child of our Time
Elgar – Enigma Variations
Vaughan Williams – Toward the unknown region
Tippett started writing A Child of Our Time the day after World War II was declared. It was written as an expression of “man’s inhumanity to man”; it’s one of his most widely known choral works.
The Enigma Variations is one of the greatest orchestral pieces of the 19th century and secured Elgar’s reputation as a composer of international standing. It is also one of the most popular works for lovers of English music.
Based on a Walt Whitman poem, Toward the Unknown Region, this is Vaughan Williams’ first major choral piece, but already reveals in full measure a mastery of choral technique and structure – moving from dark mystery at the opening to a blaze of celebratory triumph at its conclusion.