PRIMA Vox, the York choir, will put music lovers in the mood for St Valentine's Day with a 7.30pm programme on Friday at St Chad’s Church specially selected by musical director Ewa Salecka.
"If you're looking to treat a special someone with cultural romance this Valentine’s weekend, you need look no further than the stunning acoustic of St Chad’s on Knavesmire, where our concert will be a particularly enjoyable night as we'll be performing a cappella works and beautiful contemporary pieces with piano and string quartet," says Ewa.
Her expertise in researching choral gems that reach across genres and engage the heart will be to the fore of Friday's impassioned performance. "I'm confident the audience won't be disappointed by the soulful and uplifting selection on offer," says Ewa. "The harmonies of Prima Vox are taken to new heights with piano accompaniment by Greg Birch and the addition of string quartet comprising Angelika-Rose Stangl and Maxim Del Mar on violin, Ellen Brookes on viola and Catherine Strachan on cello."
The pieces will range from tender renditions of Shenandoah and Eastern European love songs to contemporary choral composers such as Trond Kverno and Ralph Manuel. "Notwithstanding some toe-tapping jazz and a fast-paced Russian tongue twister, the highlight will surely be three pieces by Ola Gjeilo for choir, piano and string quartet: Luminous Night Of The Soul, Dark Night Of The Soul and Across The Vast Eternal Sky," says Ewa.
"The audience won't fail to be touched by the soaring beauty of the Norwegian’s work; intelligent compositions that create the illusion of a much larger orchestral and choral sound, staying with the listener for long afterwards."
Friday's concert marks the start of a Prima Vox year that will take in an international collaboration between three countries with newly commissioned works from Britain and abroad. "Details will be announced very soon, and Prima Vox are welcoming new altos and basses for this very exciting event," says Ewa, who asks singers keen to take part to apply via primachoralartists.com
Tickets for Friday are on sale at £5.50, £10.20 and £12.50 at yorktheatreroyal.co.uk and on 01904 623568 or at £6, £13 and £15 on the door.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here