We begin with Ralph Vaughan Williams’s Five Mystical Songs, which sets the sacred poetry of George Herbert with soaring melodies, rich harmonies, and sincere devotion. Written for baritone, chorus, and orchestra, it offers a luminous meditation on faith, wonder, and joy.
Francis Poulenc’s Gloria radiates warmth, joy, and humanity. Written in 1959 for soprano, chorus, and orchestra, the work moves seamlessly between exuberant celebration, tender lyricism, and moments of heartfelt reflection.
Completing the program is Igor Stravinsky’s Symphony of Psalms, one of the twentieth century’s most distinctive choral masterpieces. Setting three Latin psalms for chorus and orchestra, Stravinsky pairs rhythmic vitality and striking clarity with profound spiritual depth, creating a contemplative and deeply moving expression of faith.
