2023
BACH: MAGNIFICAT
TIPPETT: A CHILD OF OUR TIME
Cornerstone Chamber Choir, Orchestra & Soloists
Directed by Adrian Boynton
Sunday 22nd January 2023
2022
BACH: ST MATTHEW PASSION
Cornerstone Chamber Choir, Orchestra & Soloists
Directed by Adrian Boynton
Sunday 10th April 2022
2021
Recordings made during lock down
Here are URLs for YouTube playlists of over 100 keyboard recordings made by our Director of Music Adrian Boynton during the pandemic:
https://tinyurl.com/Boyntonmusic-preludes
https://tinyurl.com/Boyntonmusic-postludes
This is the URL for our first recorded evening service in full:Broken down into sections:part 1 of Choral Evensong for the Feast of St Luke the Evangelist
Prelude - Prière à Notre-Dame - composed by Léon Boëllmann in 1895
Introit - Almighty and Everlasting God - composed by Orlando Gibbons before 1625
Welcome by Revd Tim Norwood
Hymn - O for a thousand tongues - words by Charles Wesley from 1739
part 2 of Choral Evensong for the Feast of St Luke the Evangelist
Preface and Confession led by Revd Tim Norwood
Preces & Responses - first part - composed by Richard Ayleward c.1661-69
Psalm 146 - 147 - chants by James Turle & Joseph Barnby from Worcester Psalter pointed
part 3 of Choral Evensong for the Feast of St Luke the Evangelist
Old Testament: Isaiah 55 read by Revd Dr Margaret Goodall
Magnificat from William Byrd's Second Service c. 1560.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWTdhaJtuk0
part 4 of Choral Evensong for the Feast of St Luke the Evangelist
New Testament: Luke 10-1 read by Richard May-Miller
Nunc Dimittis from William Byrd's Second Service c. 1560.
Creed led by Revd Tim Norwood
Preces & Responses - second part - composed by Richard Ayleward c.1661-69
part 5 of Choral Evensong for the Feast of St Luke the Evangelist
Os Justi - Gregorian chant composed by Anton Bruckner in 1879
Intercessions led by Revd Tim Norwood
Hymn - Christ’s is the world in which we move - composed by John L Bell in 1989
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcoptUkRhtc
part 6 of Choral Evensong for the Feast of St Luke the Evangelist
Address by Revd Tim Norwood
Hymn - We have a Gospel to proclaim - words by Edward J Burns from 1968
Blessing by Revd Tim Norwood
Sung Blessing - Go Forth into the World in Peace - composed by John Rutter in 1990
part 7 of Choral Evensong for the Feast of St Luke the Evangelist
Postlude - Adagio from BWV 564 composed by Johann Sebastian Bach in 1710
Cornerstone Chamber Choir, Orchestra & Soloists directed by Adrian Boynton
are pleased to present
HAYDN: THE CREATION
A concert to raise awareness of the
UN Climate Change Conference Cop 26
on
Sunday 7th November 2021
7.30pm
at St Peter & St Paul's Church
High Street, Newport Pagnell
Tickets £20, £15 (under 18's £5) available online at https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/cornerstone-music (booking fee applies),
Email boyntonmusic@btinternet.com Tel/text 07961 348697, Post (S.A.E): Cornerstone Music Box Office 11 Burewelle, Two Mile Ash, MK8 8LS
2020
Sunday 5th January 7pm (please note start time)
BACH:CHRISTMAS ORATORIO
THE CORNERSTONE CHAMBER CHOIR & ORCHESTRA
Leader: Philippa BartonConductor: Adrian Boynton
The Christmas Oratorio brings together six of Bach's finest
cantatas, each one intended for performance on one of the major feast days of the Christmas period. The first part, for Christmas Day, describes the Birth of Jesus, the second (Dec 26th) the Annunciation of the Shepherds, the third (Dec 27th) the Adoration of the Shepherds, the fourth (New Year's Day) the Circumcision and Naming of Jesus, the fifth (First Sunday of the New Year) the Journey of the Magi, and the sixth (Epiphany) the Adoration of the Magi. Each cantata has thrilling choruses, coloured either by brilliant trumpet, or virtuoso horns, beautiful chorales, and glorious reflective arias, duets and trios with stunning woodwind obbligati. This remarkable work must rank as the greatest musical celebration of the Christmas story. We hope you can share it with us.
Tickets £17 (conc £16), £15 (conc £14) child £2 Available:
Online: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/cornerstone-music (booking fee applies),
Post: Cornerstone Music, 300 Saxon Gate West, Milton Keynes, MK9 2ES. Send a stamped S.A.E. & cheque payable to Cornerstone Music
Email: boyntonmusic@btinternet.com; Phone: 01908 246486 (ans mach)/07961 348697 Tickets also available at the door
Sunday 12th January 6pm
THE EPIPHANY CAROL SERVICE 'Star of Wonder'
THE CHOIR OF THE CITY CHURCH Directed by Adrian Boynton
Led by Revd Wendy Carey
In the third and last of our annual carol services we celebrate the
revelation of Christ to people throughout the world, symbolised in
the story of the Three Wise Men. Some of the most beautiful carols
and arrangements have been inspired by this special season.
Freewill offering
Monday 20th January 7.15pm
MUSICAL MILESTONES:250th Anniversary Celebration
BEETHOVEN:(i)The Early Years to 1800
A talk illustrated with fine CD recordings by Adrian Boynton
With the explosion of the genius of Beethoven at the end of the
eighteenth century the classical era reached both a climax
and a dissolution. Beethoven's music embodied a new dynamism
and power which not only demanded that it be listened to in
different ways but also symbolised the changing role of the
composer in society - no longer its servant, required meekly to meet its needs, but its visionary, its hero figure. In the first of four sessions, we explore the early works of Beethoven the master pianist, including the first ten Piano Sonatas, the Piano Trios, Piano Quintet and the Piano Concertos in B flat and C. We also study the Op 18 String Quartets and First Symphony: works which hold the key to Beethoven's later revolution of classical form.
Admission £5 (student £1) at the door
Thursday 30th January 7.15pm
EXPLORING MUSIC:The Romantics
LISZT: (i)The Vienna/Paris Years
A talk illustrated with fine CD recordings by Adrian Boynton
As a pianist Liszt was among the greatest, if not the greatest, there has ever been. As a composer he was an adventurous musical thinker with ideas well ahead of his time. We trace his student years in Vienna, his earliest public concerts, his friendship with Berlioz and Chopin and his years of travel throughout Europe as a flamboyant virtuoso. We hear outstanding pieces from his 'Années de Pélerinages' (including the 'Tre Sonnetti di Patrarca' and 'Dante' Sonata), 'Consolations', 'Liebestraume', the Piano Concerto in E flat and A major and some of the great transcriptions of operatic arias by Mozart, Bellini and Donizetti.
Admission £5 (student £1) at the door
Sunday 3rd February 3pm
GALBRIELE BALDOCCI (piano)
CHOPIN: Impromptu No 1 in A flat, Op 29
Impromptu No 2 in F Sharp Op 36
Impromptu No 3 in G flat, Op 51
Fantasie-Impromptu in C sharp minor, Op 66
BEETHOVEN: Symphony No 5 in C minor, Op 67
Italian pianist Galbriele Baldocci is known worldwide as duo partner of the legendary Martha Argerich. His extensive repertoire includes a special focus on the music of Chopin, Schumann and Liszt. In 2012 he began recording and performing the complete Beethoven Symphonies, in the challenging transcriptions of Liszt. Baldocci has performed at major venues across the world, most recently the Tonhalle in Zurich, Teatro Colon in Buenos Aires and Sala Verdi in Milan. He appears at major festivals, gives masterclasses at the leading conservatoires and universities, and is a regular jury member at international competitions.
Admission by programme at the door £12 (conc £11, child £1).
Sunday 10th February 6pm
CHORAL EVENSONG FOR THE OCTAVE OF CANDLEMAS
The Choir of the City Church Directed by Adrian Boynton
A beautiful service of Choral Evensong to reflect the pivotal season between Epiphany and the beginning of Lent.Freewill offering.
Monday 18th February 7.15pm
MUSICAL MILESTONES: The English Revival
EDWARD ELGAR i) The Early Years
A talk illustrated with fine CD recordings by Adrian Boynton
Elgar was nearly 40 years of age before he began to achieve recognition as a composer with a series of large-scale cantatas which enjoyed much success among the English choral societies. A commission to write for the Birmingham Triennial Festival of 1900 resulted in the extra-ordinary and ground breaking 'Dream of Gerontius' a work which, along with the evocative 'Sea Pictures' and brilliantly scored 'Enigma Variations', established him as a composer of international standing. Other important works of the period include the overture 'Froissant' and 'Serenade for Strings' in E minor.
Admission £5 (student £1) at the door
Thursday 28th February 7.15pm
EXPLORING MUSIC:
SCHUMANN (ii) Mature Years from 1842
A talk illustrated with fine CD recordings by Adrian Boynton
1842 was for Schumann a remarkable year of chamber music which included a Piano Quintet, Piano Quartet and three String Quartets. Several large-scale works followed - the cantata 'Paradise and the Peri', Piano Concerto, Konzertstücke for 4 Horns and Goethe's 'Faust'. Join us for a superb evening of Romantic riches.
Admission £5 (student £1) at the door
Sunday 3rd March 6pm
CHORAL EVENSONG FOR THE FEAST OF TRANSFIGURATION (Sunday next before Lent)
The Choir of the City Church Directed by Adrian Boynton
All are invited to this special service looking forward to the Lenten season, with beautiful settings by Byrd, Purcell, Rutter and Boynton.
Freewill offering
Thursday 7th March 7.15pm
EXPLORING MUSIC:SCHUMANN
ii) Mature Years from 1842
A talk illustrated with fine CD recordings by Adrian Boynton
Please note that this talk has been rescheduled from the originally published date of 28 February to Thursday 7th March. We will be exploring Schumann's 'Dresden Years', which include the Piano Concerto, Konzertstücke for 4 Horns and a wonderful flowering of chamber music.
Admission £5 (student £1) at the door
Monday 18th March 7.15pm
MUSICAL MILESTONES:ELGAR
ii) The Middle Years
A talk illustrated with fine CD recordings by Adrian Boynton
In this illustrated talk, we enjoy the riches of Elgar's Middle Years, including Enigma Variations, Sea Pictures, Dream Gerontius, Symphony No 1, Cockaigne Overture and Pomp and Circumstance Marches.
Admission £5 (student £1) at the door
Saturday 23rd March 11.30am
KATIE CANELL (clarinet) MARY COTES (piano)
STANFORD: Three Intermezzi
BOZZA: Aria
DEBUSSY: Petite Piece
SCHUMANN: Fantasiestücke
SAINT-SAENS: Sonata for Clarinet and Piano
FINZI: Forlana and Romance
NORTON: Clarinet Sonata
VINTER: Song and Dances
Katie Canell read music at King's College, Cambridge followed by a Postgraduate Diploma in Performance at the Royal Northern College of Music. She studied with Anthony Pike and Nicholas Cox. Mary Cotes is well known locally as the former Ecumenical Moderator in Milton Keynes. She now has a private teaching practice of some 50 students. Both Katie and Mary are members of the Horizon Ensemble, which has performed with distinction at the City Church on several occasions.
Admission by programme at the door £9 (conc £8.50, student £1)
Sunday 31st March7.30pm
BRAHMS: REQUIEM
FAURÉ: REQUIEM
THE CORNERSTONE CHAMBER CHOIR & ORCHESTRA
Directed by Adrian Boynton
Our major choral/orchestral offering for the Lenten season is one of the great works of the Romantic era. The German Requiem is the central work of Brahms' career. It is unique in that it does not use the words of the traditional Requiem Mass but a Biblical text chosen by Brahms himself, centring round faith in the Resurrection rather than fear of the Day of Judgement. It inspired Brahms to produce some of his greatest music. Each section has its own character, emphasised by Brahms' subtle instrumentation. There are warm glowing colours of great beauty, majestic 'Handelian' fugues and powerful climaxes.
Tickets £17 (conc £16), £15 (conc £14) child £2 available online at https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/cornerstone-music (booking fee applies); by post from Cornerstone Music Tickets, 300 Saxon Gate West, Milton Keynes, MK9 2ES. Send a stamped S.A.E. and cheque payable to Cornerstone Music; telephone 01908 246486 (ans mach) or 07961 348697 or at the door.
Thursday 4th April 7.15pm
EXPLORING MUSIC: The Early Romantic Era
WEBERThe first Romantic
A talk illustrated with fine CD recordings by Adrian Boynton
Weber's place in the history of music is that of a liberator, setting German music free from Italian influence and establishing the great Romantic tradition which would lead ultimately to Wagner. He has outstanding gifts as a melodist, a rich command of orchestral colour (achieved according to Debussy, by 'scrutiny of the soul of each instrument'), and a real sense of how to convey atmosphere and drama. Tonight we explore the symphonies, piano concertos, the outstanding clarinet concertos and clarinet quintet, and the great operas 'Der Freischutz' and 'Oberon'.
Admission £5 (student £1) at the door
Sunday 7th April 6pm
GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD
A meditation in words and music for Passion Sunday
THE CHOIR OF THE CITY CHURCH Directed by Adrian Boynton
A meditation for Passiontide featuring music by Vittoria, Lassus, Purcell, Blow, Bruckner, Rutter and Boynton.
Freewill offering
Monday, 8th April7.15pm
Exploring Music
Celebrates the greatest works of Elgar’s final years, including the overtures ‘Cockaigne’ and ‘In the South’, the Cello Concerto, Symphonies 2 and 3, the lovely ‘Music Makers’ cantatas, and the composer’s oratorio masterworks ‘The Apostles’ and ‘The Kingdom’.
Admission £5 at the door.
Good Friday 19th April 7.30pm
MUSIC FOR GOOD FRIDAY
THE CHOIR & INSTRUMENTALISTS OF THE CITY CHURCH
Directed by Adrian Boynton
BYRD: Ne Irascaris
ALLEGRI:Miserere
BOYNTON:Slow are the years of Light
STAINER:CRUCIFIXION
An opportunity to reflect on the significance of Good Friday as the Choir and Instrumentalists offer a powerful and moving sequence of words and music. (The reflection will conclude about 9pm. Retiring collection
Sunday 28th April 6pm
EASTER CHORAL CELEBRATION
THE CHOIR OF THE CITY CHURCH Directed by Adrian Boynton
A glorious musical celebration for the Easter Season, featuring music by Byrd, Handel, Stanford, Mascagni, Hadley and Rutter.
Freewill offering.
Sunday 12th May 6pm
CHORAL EVENSONG FOR THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER:
The Heart of Compassion
THE CHOIR OF THE CITY CHURCH Directed by Adrian Boynton
Led by Revd Wendy Carey
This beautiful service for the season of Easter features music by Stanford, Mathias, and a glorious setting of Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis by Hugh Blair (former organist of Worcester Cathedral)
Freewill offering
Sunday 19th May 7.30pm
LYRA VOCAL ENSEMBLE:
Marina Busse (soprano) Zlata Gogol (contralto)
Aleksander Shagun (tenor) Alexander Urbanovitch (bass)
A programme of Russian Sacred Music, classic songs and arias and superb arrangements of Russian folk songs, featuring the music of
SCHUBERT GRIEG
TCHAIKOVSKY RACHMANINOV
DARGOMYZHSKY SVIRIDOV
SISOEV VILBOA
We are delighted to welcome LYRA vocal ensemble to the City Church as part of their 2019 UK tour. The four members of the group, based in St Petersburg, are among Russia's most talented and distinguished solo singers. As LYRA, they have toured the world, and won plaudits in international competitions. The first part of the groups programme ranges from traditional music of the Russian Orthodox Church, through choral masterworks of the Romantic era and Twentieth Century, to great arias and popular classics of both the Russian and European traditions. The second part of the programme features Russian folk songs in all their variety - lyrical songs and love songs. Don't miss this opportunity to hear these fine musicians.
Admission by programme at the door £10 (concession £9.50, child £1)
Monday 20th May 7.15pm
MUSICAL MILESTONES:The English Revival
HERBERT HOWELLS (1892-1983)
A talk illustrated with fine CD recordings by Adrian Boynton
Howell's mature style is a fusion of many things English, from Parry to Walton. His early chamber works reveal both a natural poet in sound and a musician keenly alive to structure. His songs are among the finest by English composers in the Twentieth century. Outstanding church music demonstrates his love of choral texture in a resonant acoustic, with many works written for particular buildings. The crowning glory of his output are the great works for choir and orchestra, 'Stabat Mater', 'Missa Sabrinensis', and his masterpiece, 'Hymnus Paradisi', a visionary and inspired work written in response to the death of his 9 year old son from spinal meningitis.Admission £5 (student £1) at the door
Thursday 30th May 7.15pm
EXPLORING MUSIC:
MENDELSSOHN (i) The Early Years to 1833
A talk illustrated with fine CD recordings by Adrian Boynton
Mendelssohn's gifts were phenomenal. He was a superb pianist, a good violinist, an exceptional organist, and an inspiring conductor, with an amazing musical memory. His genius as a composer led Bulow to describe him as the most complete master of form after Mozart. Tonight we survey the works of his teens and early twenties, including the Piano Quartets in C minor and F minor (the first of these written at the age of 13), the exhilarating Octet (his first 'mature' work, written at the age of 16), String Quartets in Eb and A minor, beautiful songs and solo piano pieces, the overtures 'A Midsummer Nights Dream' and 'The Hebrides' (Fingals Cave'), Piano Concerto in G minor and 'Reformation' Symphony.
Admission £5 (student £1) at the door
Wednesday 12th June 7.30pm
DAVID MALUSA (piano)
SCHUBERT: Klavierstuck in Eb major, D946 n. 2
BEETHOVEN: Sonata in Ab major, op. 110
Sonata quasi una fantasia in C# minor, op. 27 n. 2
RACHMANINOV: Etude Tableau in C minor, op. 39 n.1
Prelude in G minor, op. 23 n. 5
CHOPIN: Andante Spianato et Grande Polonaise Brillante, op. 22
Fantasie Impromptu in C# minor, op. 66
SCRIABIN: Etude in C# minor op. 2
Etude in B minor, op. 8 n. 3
Prelude for the left hand op. 9
David Malusa graduated 'cum laude' from the Conservatoire Arrigo Pedrollo in Vincenza and completed the Master of Music programme and the Artist Diploma course at the Royal College of Music with distinction. He has been prizewinner at several international competitions, including first prizes at the Citta di Carrara, Citti di Cantalupa and the Jacques Samuel Intercollegiate Competition. A CD of his Wigmore Hall debut recital was highly acclaimed. Malusa returns to the City Church in an irresistible programme of classical and romantic masterworks.
Admission by programme at the door £12 (conc £11, child £1)
Monday 17th June 7.15pm
MUSICAL MILESTONES: The English Revival
GERALD FINZI
A talk illustrated with fine CD recordings by Adrian Boynton
Finzi's refined English pastoral idiom has its roots in Elgar and Vaughan Williams but also owes much to his respect for Bach and 18th century English composers. His instrumental works - including Ecologue for Piano and Strings, Cello Concerto and the delightful Clarinet Concerto - are marked by fertile thematic inversion, tender passion and superb string textures. His spacious 'Intimations of Immortality' and 'In terra pax' make an outstanding contribution to the English choral tradition. Above all, his solo vocal works - settings of Hardy and Traherne, including the great orchestral song cycle 'Dies Natalis' - reveal his exceptional sensitivity to English verse, and mark him as a composer of true genius.
Admission £5 (student £1) at the door
Sunday 23rd June 6pm
THE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT
THE CHOIR OF THE CITY CHURCH Directed by Adrian Boynton
Join us for a wonderful choral celebration of the season of Pentecost and the Holy Trinity, featuring music by Tallis, Gibbons, Bruckner, Mathias and Boynton, and a selection of beautiful readings.
Freewill offering
Thursday 27th June 7.15pm
EXPLORING MUSIC:
MENDELSSOHN (ii) The Mature Years (1833-1847)
A talk illustrated with fine CD recordings by Adrian Boynton
The 1830s and early '40s saw the completion of some of the great works for which Mendelssohn is chiefly remembered - the Italian and Scotch Symphonies, the Violin Concerto in E minor, the incidental music 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', the Piano Trios in D and C minor, the beautiful 'Song without Words' for piano solo and oratorios 'St Paul' and 'Elijah'. Some of Mendelssohn's later works may lack the spontaneity of his earlier compositions, but they demonstrate superb craftsmanship, melodic elegance, inventive orchestration and a fine blend of classical structure and romantic colour.
Admission £5 (student £1) at the door
Saturday 29th June 11.30am
SUMMER SERENADE
THE NEW ENGLISH SINGERS and SPECIAL GUESTS
Directed by Adrian Boynton
Adrian Boynton directs the New English Singers in a glorious summer programme which includes English madrigals, Victorian Partsongs, Brazilian and Venezuelan folk songs, beautiful settings of Stanford, Finzi and Vaughan Williams, and a touch of Gershwin and Porter. Special guests instrumentalists add richness and colour to the wonderful tapestry of sounds. Do join us to savour the aural delights and bring your friends. The afterwards, linger for awhile to enjoy Summer Cup and convivial company.
Admission £10 (conc £9.50, child £1) by programme at the door
Sunday 7th July 7.30pm
SUMMER CELEBRATION featuring In aid of Advantage Africa
David Fanshawe's thrilling
AFRICAN SANCTUS
THE CORNERSTONE CHAMBER CHOIR, CORNERSTONE YOUNG VOICES, MUSIC SERVICE INTERMEDIATE CHOIR AND INSTRUMENTAL ENSEMBLE
Directed by Adrian Boynton
David Fanshawe spent much time in Africa in his mid to late twenties absorbing African culture, researching African folk music, and making a unique library of location recordings. In 1972 he wrote the extraordinary 'African Sanctus', which blends dramatically and movingly, the authentic sounds of various regions of North and East Africa with the colours, rhythms and harmonies of Twentieth century Western music. An award-winning BBC television film of the 'Sanctus', made on location, was shown in many parts of the world in the mid '70s, and since then the work has received international acclaim. Our celebration concert will include other exciting works from the African and Afro-American traditions. Special rates for parties of 10 or more available.
Tickets £17 (conc £16), £15 (conc £14) child £2 available online at
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/cornerstone-music (booking fee applies), by post from Cornerstone Music Tickets, 300 Saxon Gate West, Milton Keynes, MK9 2ES. Send a stamped S.A.E. and cheque payable to Cornerstone Music; telephone 01908 246486 (ans mach) or 07961 348697, email boyntonmusic@btinternet.com, 9 High Street, Olney, MK46 4EB or at the door.
Monday 15th July 7.15pm
MUSICAL MILESTONES: The English Revival
JOHN IRELAND & CYRIL SCOTT
A talk illustrated with fine CD recordings by Adrian Boynton
Ireland established his reputation with a fine body of chamber music demonstrating on exceptionally refined understanding of the instruments involved. His orchestral tone poems and overtures are colourfully scored and his Piano Concerto, with its racy jazz interludes, is among the finest of the Twentieth Century. The great choral work 'These things shall be' is an inspirational work expressing the composer's deepest hopes for mankind. Born just one month after Ireland, Cyril Scott became known as the 'English Debussy' on account of the Impressionist style of his piano and chamber works. He also produced a fine Piano Concerto, along with other symphonic and choral works.
Admission £5 (student £1) at the door
Thursday 25th July 7.15pm
EXPLORING MUSIC: The Early Romantics
CHOPIN (i) The Early Years to 1831
A talk illustrated with fine CD recordings by Adrian Boynton
Chopin, the greatest poet of the piano, used harmonic imagination and melodic invention to transform old forms and create new ones. We explore his upbringing in Warsaw, his studentship at Warsaw Conservatoire, his first tour of Germany and acclaimed visit to Vienna, and early years in Paris. The music of this period includes Sonata No 1, Piano Trio, Variations on Mozart's 'La ci darem', the two great Piano Concertos, and some fine Nocturnes, Waltzes, Mazurkas and Polonaises.
Admission £5 (student £1) at the door
Sunday 28th July 6pm
CHORAL EVENSONG
THE CHOIR OF THE CITY CHURCH Directed by Adrian Boynton
Freewill offering
Saturday 28th September 11.30am
THE RIDGEWAY ENSEMBLE
Judith Sheridan (soprano)Margaret Richards (cello)
Daniel King Smith (piano)William Winfield (reader)
VICTORIA & ALBERT - A MUSICAL ROMANCE
Bicentenary Celebration
MENDELSSOHN:Song Without Words, Op 109
Ich wollt' meine Lieb
Maiglockchen und die Blümlein
BELLINI:Malinconia
ALBERT:Ein ständchen/Der Bettler
Letzten Worte eines Barden
MOZART:The Magic Flute (selection)
VIARDOT:En Mer
SCHUMANN:Er ist gekommen
ELGAR:Chanson de Matin, Op 15
SULLIVAN:The Sun whose rays
Queen Victoria and Prince Albert's mutual passion for music was at the heart of their relationship from the very beginning. An accomplished composer, Albert shared his creative process in letters to the young Queen, and, as their married life progressed, it was punctuated by concerts, private performances and audiences with the musical elite of Europe. The Ridgeway Ensemble returns to the City Church to bring to life the musical world of the royal couple, through readings from their letters and diaries, contemporary accounts and performances of composers such as Mendelssohn, Elgar and Sullivan. At the heart of the programme are songs by Prince Albert himself for voice, cello and piano, which have remained unpublished and unperformed until now. Also noteworthy is the inclusion of works by three women composers - Fanny Mendelssohn, Pauline Viardot and Clara Schumann (whose bicentenary falls this year).
Join us for this celebration of the musical tastes and achievements of a royal couple, opening a window into the musical life of Victorian England.
Sunday 20th October 6pm
A CHORAL CELEBRATION OF SCOTLAND
THE CHOIR OF THE CITY CHURCH
Directed by Adrian Boynton Led by Revd Wendy Carey
Join us for a glorious celebration of Scottish composers, hymn writers and poets, with fine examples of Scottish choral writing, old and new, beautiful arrangements, of Scottish melodies and the beautiful music of the Iona tradition. The service includes Adrian Boynton's original composition 'An Iona Blessing' his arrangement of 'A Touching Place', and music by the great Scottish composer of our day James MacMillan.
All are welcome. Freewill offering
Monday 21st October 7.15pm
MUSICAL MILESTONES:The English Revival
ARNOLD BAX & GEORGE BUTTERWORTH
A talk illustrated with fine CD recordings by Adrian Boynton
Arnold Bax is one of Britain's neglected treasures. His orchestral tone poems - 'Tintagel', 'In the Faery Hills', 'The Garden of Fand', and others - are among the finest of any of the English late romantics. His seven symphonies, luxuriantly scored and full of romantic melody, contain, to quote Michael Kennedy, "far too much good music to deserve their current total neglect." His chamber works are beautifully crafted for the instruments, and there are some exquisite short choral pieces. George Butterworth demonstrated exceptional promise as a composer before his untimely death in the trenches at Pozieres in 1916. Tonight we hear his 'The Banks of Green Willow' and 'A Shropshire Lad'.
Admission £5 (student £1) at the door
Thursday 31st October 7.15pm
EXPLORING MUSIC:150th Anniversary Celebration
BERLIOZ: The Early Years
A talk illustrated with fine CD recordings by Adrian Boynton
Among the early Romantic masters Berlioz stands apart - a musician of extraordinary flair, grand ideas and a formidable sense of drama. Tonight we feature his early songs, the 'Messe Solenelle' (recently rediscovered after being lost for more than a century and a half), the first concert overtures, the dramatic cantata 'La Mort de Cleopatra', the epoch-making 'Symphonie Fantastique', which won him the Prix de Rome in 1831, the beautiful song cycle 'Nuits d'été' and the autobiographical symphony with viola solo 'Harold in Italy'. A feast of great music.
Admission £5 (student £1) at the door
Sunday 1st December 6pm
THE ADVENT CAROL SERVICE 'O Come, O Come, Emmanuel'
THE CHOIR OF THE CITY CHURCH Directed by Adrian Boynton
Writers and musicians down the centuries have been
inspired by the season of Advent with its special atmosphere
of anticipation and expectation. Join us to share this
atmosphere in a beautiful candlelit service featuring passages
of scripture, poetry and prose and fine musical settings reflecting a range of styles from the High Renaissance to the present day. The service will conclude at 7.20pm.
Freewill offering.
Monday 9th December 7.15pm
MUSICAL MILESTONES:The English Revival
RUTLAND BOUGHTON & EDMUND RUBBRA
A talk illustrated with fine CD recordings by Adrian Boynton
Tonight we consider the remarkable contribution to English music of two 'local boys'. Aylesbury-born Rutland Boughton effectively founded Glastonbury Festival - as a vehicle for Wagnerian-style choral dramas based on Arthurian legend! Alongside major choral and theatre works, he wrote fine symphonies, concertos and chamber music. Northampton-born Edmund Rubbra's prolific output covers all musical forms except opera. His superb handling of modal harmony in a distinctively English tradition makes him a more than worthy successor to his teacher, Holst. His output includes beautiful religious choral works, outstanding chamber works and songs, and no less than eleven symphonies, whose musical substance and spiritual grandeur have still to be fully appreciated.
Admission £5 (student £1) at the door
Tuesday 17th December 12.30pm
THE CITY CENTRE CAROL SERVICE
THE CHOIR OF THE CITY CHURCH Directed by Boynton
Led by the Ministerial Team
Join us for this lovely lunchtime service of 45 minutes, followed by seasonal refreshments.
Thursday 19th December 7.15pm
EXPLORING MUSIC special
CHRISTMAS MUSIC THROUGH THE AGES (i) Medieval to BaroqueA talk illustrated with fine CD recordings by Adrian Boynton
In this seasonal special we trace the development of the carol from
its origins as a medieval round dance through the homophonic
carols and polyphonic Christmas motets of the Reformation to
the polychoral splendours of the late Renaissance and early Baroque
in works by Gabrieli, Monteverdi, Hassler and Schutz. Mature
Baroque masterpieces form the culmination of our journey, and
we end the evening with the greatest of all - Bach's Christmas Oratorio - as prelude to a performance of the work by the Cornerstone Chamber Choir and Orchestra on 5th January.
Admission £5 (student £1) at the door
Saturday 21st December 11.30am
A CHRISTMAS CRACKER with
THE NEW ENGLISH SINGERS & SPECIAL GUESTS
Directed by Adrian Boynton
This is a lovely event for the whole family. The New
English Singers capture the joy and happiness of the Christmas Season with a range of choral settings from around the world reflecting different styles and traditions with guest appearances from fine instrumental soloists, and surprises and delights at every turn, this promises to be a real 'cracker' of a Christmas concert. Following the music we invite you to linger awhile, relax and enjoy seasonal refreshments.
Admission (to include refreshments) £10 (children £1) at the door
Sunday 22nd December 6pm
THE CORNERSTONE CAROL SERVICE 'Joy to the World'
THE CITY CHURCH CHOIR & CORNERSTONE BRASS
Directed by Adrian Boynton Led by the Ministerial Team
A joyful celebration of the Saviours birth in words and music,
with familiar carols for all to sing, magnificent choral offerings
from the choir and lively contributions from Cornerstone Brass.
Do join us and bring your friends. Freewill offering.
2018
SUNDAY 11 MARCH 6pm - 7.15pmThe Choir of Christ the Cornerstone (Milton Keynes City Church) directed by Adrian Boynton and led by Revd George Mwaura.Seasonal words and music for Lent with congregational hymns, readings and beautiful music sung by the choir: Purcell: How long wilt thou be angry; Cruger: Ah holy Jesu; Blow: Salvator Mundi; Handel: Surely he hath born our griefs; Bruckner: Christus factus est and Stainer: God so loved the world. Retiring collection. All welcome.Good Friday, 30 March 7.30pmJoin the Cornerstone Choir and instrumentalists for a Reflection in Words and Music which includes the beautiful Stabat Materof Palestrina, Schutz’s evocative ’Seven Last Words from the Cross’ and Bryan Kelly’s inspirational setting of ‘The Crucifixion’. The service includes a short reflection by Revd Wendy Carey. It promises to be a very special evening and we hope you can share it with us. Retiring collection. The reflection will end around 9pm.
Sunday 15th April6pmThe Choir of the City Church Directed by Adrian BoyntonA Festive Celebration of Eastertide. Retiring collection. Finishes around 7.15pm.Sunday 11 November 6pmCHORAL EVENSONG SPECIALmarking the centenary of the end of World War 1The Choir of the City Church directed by Adrian BoyntonLed by Revd Wendy CareyA very special choral evening service on the exact centenary of the Armistice, featuring outstanding repertoire by Tallis, Parry and Rutter. Freewill offeringMonday 12th November 7.15
MUSICAL MILESTONES:
HOLST - The Final Years
An illustrated talk by Adrian Boynton
Tonight's illustrated talk features The Planets, St Paul's Suite for Strings, the tone poem Beni Mora and the amazing Hymn of Jesus.
Admission £5 (student £1) at the door
Thursday 22nd November 7.15
EXPLORING MUSIC:
SCHUBERT - The Final Years
An illustrated talk by Adrian Boynton
We enjoy the incredible works of Schubert' last three years including Symphonies 8 and 9, Piano Sonata in B flat, String Quintet in C and the song cycles Winterreise and Schwanengesang.
Admission £5 (student £1) at the door
Sunday 2nd December 6pm
THE ADVENT CAROL SERVICE
THE CHOIR OF THE CITY CHURCH
Directed by Adrian Boynton
A glorious sequence of music and readings to mark the beginning of the Advent Season.
Retiring Collection
Saturday 8th December 11.30am
Young Musicians' Platform
ISLA RODGERS (piano)
BACH:Prelude and Fugue in D ('48' Book 2)
BEETHOVEN:Sonata in G, Op 14 No 2
LISZT:Liebestraum
DEBUSSY:La Cathedrele Engloutie (Prelude Book 1)
A short informal recital by talented 17 year old Isla prior to taking her ATCL examination in a few day's time.
Admission free.
Monday 10th December 7.15
MUSICAL MILESTONES
DELIUS - The Early Years
An illustrated talk by Adrian Boynton
A celebration of this most distinctive composer of the 'English Revival' featuring the lyrical works of the early years, influenced by his sojourns in USA and Germany.
Admission £5 (student £1) at the door
Thursday 13th December 12.30 (please note date change)
THE CITY CENTRE CAROL SERVICE
Led by the Ministerial Team with
THE CHOIR OF THE CITY CHURCH
Directed by Adrian Boynton
A short service of 40 minutes, with a short reflection, familiar Christmas readings, wonderful choral offerings from the Cornerstone Choir and popular carols for all to sing. Followed by seasonal refreshments.
All welcome.
Saturday 15th December 11.30
A CHRISTMAS CRACKER with
THE NEW ENGLISH SINGERS and SPECIAL GUESTS
Directed by Adrian Boynton
A wonderful sequence of choral and instrumental offerings by the New English Singers and their guests - always a real highlight of the seasonal calendar. Followed by seasonal refreshments. Do join us if you can and bring your friends.
Thursday 20th December 7.15
EXPLORING MUSIC: SEASONAL SPECIAL
CHRISTMAS MUSIC THROUGH THE AGES
An illustrated talk by Adrian Boynton
An opportunity to savour some of the great musical settings associated with this special season from Medieval times to the present day. Join us for a great musical celebration.
Admission £5 (student £1) at the door
Sunday 23rd December 6pm
THE CORNERSTONE CAROL SERVICE
THE CHOIR OF THE CITY CHURCH AND
CORNERSTONE BRASS
Directed by Adrian Boynton
The great Christmas story, told in music and song, with fine choral offerings from the Cornerstone Choir and familiar carols for all to sing. Do join us, bring your family and friends. Followed by seasonal refreshments.
We look forward to seeing you.
2019
JANUARY 2019
Sunday 13th January 6pm
THE EPIPHANY CAROL SERVICE
The Choir of the City Church Directed by Adrian Boynton
Led by Wendy Carey
Fresh from singing services in Gloucester Cathedral, the Choir of the City Church offer a wonderful programme of seasonal settings by Cornelius, Warlock, Todd, Rutter and Boynton, interspersed with powerful readings by A.E. Fanthorpe, Thomas Treherne and Ann Lewin, and beautiful Epiphany hymns.
All are welcome. Freewill offering.
Monday 21st January 7.15pm
MUSICAL MILESTONES: THE ENGLISH REVIVAL
DELIUS: The Final Years
A talk illustrated with fine CD recordings by Adrian Boynton
The last 30 years of Delius's life, when he lived in Grez-sur-Loing near Fontainebleau, saw the completion of some of his finest works, including the Requiem, the opera 'Fennimore and Gerda', Dance Rhapsody Nos 1 and 2, 'On Hearing the Cuckoo in Spring', 'Summer Night on the River' and the choral version of 'Appalachia'. Paralised by syphilis, he was aided by amanuensis Eric Fenby to complete the great works of his final years - 'A Song of Summer', Violin Sonata No 3, 'Songs of Farewell', 'Fantastic Dance' and 'Idyll: Once I passed through a popular city'. Join us to hear the story of this remarkable musician.
Admission £5 (student £1) at the door
Sunday 27th January 10.30am
THE HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL SERVICE
The Choir of the City Church Directed by Adrian Boynton
Led by Revd Ernesto Lozada-Uzuriaga
A powerful and thought-provoking service to mark Holocaust Memorial Day 2019, featuring special music by Purcell, Tippett, Rutter and Chilcott.
All welcome. Freewill offering
Thursday 31st January 7.15pm
EXPLORING MUSIC:
SCHUMANN(i) Early Years to 1841
A talk illustrated with fine CD recordings by Adrian Boynton
If a single composer had to be selected to represent the features of Romanticism, Schumann would be a splendid choice. Images of literature pervade his music, he was preoccupied with self expression, he was a miniaturist with a strong lyrical and harmonic gift, and his own life embodied romantic events in abundance. Tonight we explore the outstanding piano works of the 1830s - 'Abbegg' Variations, 'Papillons', 'Carnival', 'Fantasiestücke', 'Etudes Symphonique', 'Kreisleriana' - the great song cycles 'Frauenliebe und leben' and 'Dichterliebe', and the joyous 'Spring Symphony'.
Admission £5 (student £1) at the door
FEBRUARY 2019
Sunday 3rd February 3pm
GALBRIELE BALDOCCI (piano)
CHOPIN: Impromptu No 1 in A flat, Op 29
Impromptu No 2 in F Sharp Op 36
Impromptu No 3 in G flat, Op 51
Fantasie-Impromptu in C sharp minor, Op 66
BEETHOVEN: Symphony No 5 in C minor, Op 67
Italian pianist Galbriele Baldocci is known worldwide as duo partner of the legendary Martha Argerich. His extensive repertoire includes a special focus on the music of Chopin, Schumann and Liszt. In 2012 he began recording and performing the complete Beethoven Symphonies, in the challenging transcriptions of Liszt. Baldocci has performed at major venues across the world, most recently the Tonhalle in Zurich, Teatro Colon in Buenos Aires and Sala Verdi in Milan. He appears at major festivals, gives masterclasses at the leading conservatoires and universities, and is a regular jury member at international competitions.
Admission by programme at the door £12 (conc £11, child £1).
Sunday 10th February 6pm
CHORAL EVENSONG FOR THE OCTAVE OF CANDLEMAS
The Choir of the City Church Directed by Adrian Boynton
A beautiful service of Choral Evensong to reflect the pivotal season between Epiphany and the beginning of Lent.Freewill offering.
Monday 18th February 7.15pm
MUSICAL MILESTONES: The English Revival
EDWARD ELGAR i) The Early Years
A talk illustrated with fine CD recordings by Adrian Boynton
Elgar was nearly 40 years of age before he began to achieve recognition as a composer with a series of large-scale cantatas which enjoyed much success among the English choral societies. A commission to write for the Birmingham Triennial Festival of 1900 resulted in the extra-ordinary and ground breaking 'Dream of Gerontius' a work which, along with the evocative 'Sea Pictures' and brilliantly scored 'Enigma Variations', established him as a composer of international standing. Other important works of the period include the overture 'Froissant' and 'Serenade for Strings' in E minor.
Admission £5 (student £1) at the door
Thursday 28th February 7.15pm
EXPLORING MUSIC:
SCHUMANN (ii) Mature Years from 1842
A talk illustrated with fine CD recordings by Adrian Boynton
1842 was for Schumann a remarkable year of chamber music which included a Piano Quintet, Piano Quartet and three String Quartets. Several large-scale works followed - the cantata 'Paradise and the Peri', Piano Concerto, Konzertstücke for 4 Horns and Goethe's 'Faust'. Join us for a superb evening of Romantic riches.
Admission £5 (student £1) at the door
MARCH 2019
Sunday 3rd March 6pm
CHORAL EVENSONG FOR THE FEAST OF TRANSFIGURATION (Sunday next before Lent)
The Choir of the City Church Directed by Adrian Boynton
All are invited to this special service looking forward to the Lenten season, with beautiful settings by Byrd, Purcell, Rutter and Boynton.
Freewill offering
Thursday 7th March 7.15pm
EXPLORING MUSIC:SCHUMANN
ii) Mature Years from 1842
A talk illustrated with fine CD recordings by Adrian Boynton
Please note that this talk has been rescheduled from the originally published date of 28 February to Thursday 7th March. We will be exploring Schumann's 'Dresden Years', which include the Piano Concerto, Konzertstücke for 4 Horns and a wonderful flowering of chamber music.
Admission £5 (student £1) at the door
Monday 18th March 7.15pm
MUSICAL MILESTONES:ELGAR
ii) The Middle Years
A talk illustrated with fine CD recordings by Adrian Boynton
In this illustrated talk, we enjoy the riches of Elgar's Middle Years, including Enigma Variations, Sea Pictures, Dream Gerontius, Symphony No 1, Cockaigne Overture and Pomp and Circumstance Marches.
Admission £5 (student £1) at the door
Saturday 23rd March 11.30am
KATIE CANELL (clarinet) MARY COTES (piano)
STANFORD: Three Intermezzi
BOZZA: Aria
DEBUSSY: Petite Piece
SCHUMANN: Fantasiestücke
SAINT-SAENS: Sonata for Clarinet and Piano
FINZI: Forlana and Romance
NORTON: Clarinet Sonata
VINTER: Song and Dances
Katie Canell read music at King's College, Cambridge followed by a Postgraduate Diploma in Performance at the Royal Northern College of Music. She studied with Anthony Pike and Nicholas Cox. Mary Cotes is well known locally as the former Ecumenical Moderator in Milton Keynes. She now has a private teaching practice of some 50 students. Both Katie and Mary are members of the Horizon Ensemble, which has performed with distinction at the City Church on several occasions.
Admission by programme at the door £9 (conc £8.50, student £1)
Sunday 31st March 7.30pm
BRAHMS: REQUIEM
FAURÉ: REQUIEM
THE CORNERSTONE CHAMBER CHOIR & ORCHESTRA
Directed by Adrian Boynton
Our major choral/orchestral offering for the Lenten season is one of the great works of the Romantic era. The German Requiem is the central work of Brahms' career. It is unique in that it does not use the words of the traditional Requiem Mass but a Biblical text chosen by Brahms himself, centring round faith in the Resurrection rather than fear of the Day of Judgement. It inspired Brahms to produce some of his greatest music. Each section has its own character, emphasised by Brahms' subtle instrumentation. There are warm glowing colours of great beauty, majestic 'Handelian' fugues and powerful climaxes.
Tickets £17 (conc £16), £15 (conc £14) child £2 available online at https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/cornerstone-music (booking fee applies); by post from Cornerstone Music Tickets, 300 Saxon Gate West, Milton Keynes, MK9 2ES. Send a stamped S.A.E. and cheque payable to Cornerstone Music; telephone 01908 246486 (ans mach) or 07961 348697 or at the door.
APRIL 2019
Thursday 4th April 7.15pm
EXPLORING MUSIC: The Early Romantic Era
WEBERThe first Romantic
A talk illustrated with fine CD recordings by Adrian Boynton
Weber's place in the history of music is that of a liberator, setting German music free from Italian influence and establishing the great Romantic tradition which would lead ultimately to Wagner. He has outstanding gifts as a melodist, a rich command of orchestral colour (achieved according to Debussy, by 'scrutiny of the soul of each instrument'), and a real sense of how to convey atmosphere and drama. Tonight we explore the symphonies, piano concertos, the outstanding clarinet concertos and clarinet quintet, and the great operas 'Der Freischutz' and 'Oberon'.
Admission £5 (student £1) at the door
Sunday 7th April 6pm
GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD
A meditation in words and music for Passion Sunday
THE CHOIR OF THE CITY CHURCH Directed by Adrian Boynton
A meditation for Passiontide featuring music by Vittoria, Lassus, Purcell, Blow, Bruckner, Rutter and Boynton.
Freewill offering
Monday, 8th April7.15pm
Exploring Music
Celebrates the greatest works of Elgar’s final years, including the overtures ‘Cockaigne’ and ‘In the South’, the Cello Concerto, Symphonies 2 and 3, the lovely ‘Music Makers’ cantatas, and the composer’s oratorio masterworks ‘The Apostles’ and ‘The Kingdom’.
Admission £5 at the door.
Good Friday 19th April 7.30pm
MUSIC FOR GOOD FRIDAY
THE CHOIR & INSTRUMENTALISTS OF THE CITY CHURCH
Directed by Adrian Boynton
BYRD: Ne Irascaris
ALLEGRI:Miserere
BOYNTON:Slow are the years of Light
STAINER:CRUCIFIXION
An opportunity to reflect on the significance of Good Friday as the Choir and Instrumentalists offer a powerful and moving sequence of words and music. (The reflection will conclude about 9pm. Retiring collection
Sunday 28th April 6pm
EASTER CHORAL CELEBRATION
THE CHOIR OF THE CITY CHURCH Directed by Adrian Boynton
A glorious musical celebration for the Easter Season, featuring music by Byrd, Handel, Stanford, Mascagni, Hadley and Rutter.
Freewill offering.
MAY 2019
Sunday 12th May 6pm
CHORAL EVENSONG FOR THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER:
The Heart of Compassion
THE CHOIR OF THE CITY CHURCH Directed by Adrian Boynton
Led by Revd Wendy Carey
This beautiful service for the season of Easter features music by Stanford, Mathias, and a glorious setting of Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis by Hugh Blair (former organist of Worcester Cathedral)
Freewill offering
Sunday 19th May 7.30pm
LYRA VOCAL ENSEMBLE:
Marina Busse (soprano) Zlata Gogol (contralto)
Aleksander Shagun (tenor) Alexander Urbanovitch (bass)
A programme of Russian Sacred Music, classic songs and arias and superb arrangements of Russian folk songs, featuring the music of
SCHUBERT GRIEG
TCHAIKOVSKY RACHMANINOV
DARGOMYZHSKY SVIRIDOV
SISOEV VILBOA
We are delighted to welcome LYRA vocal ensemble to the City Church as part of their 2019 UK tour. The four members of the group, based in St Petersburg, are among Russia's most talented and distinguished solo singers. As LYRA, they have toured the world, and won plaudits in international competitions. The first part of the groups programme ranges from traditional music of the Russian Orthodox Church, through choral masterworks of the Romantic era and Twentieth Century, to great arias and popular classics of both the Russian and European traditions. The second part of the programme features Russian folk songs in all their variety - lyrical songs and love songs. Don't miss this opportunity to hear these fine musicians.
Admission by programme at the door £10 (concession £9.50, child £1)
Monday 20th May 7.15pm
MUSICAL MILESTONES:The English Revival
HERBERT HOWELLS (1892-1983)
A talk illustrated with fine CD recordings by Adrian Boynton
Howell's mature style is a fusion of many things English, from Parry to Walton. His early chamber works reveal both a natural poet in sound and a musician keenly alive to structure. His songs are among the finest by English composers in the Twentieth century. Outstanding church music demonstrates his love of choral texture in a resonant acoustic, with many works written for particular buildings. The crowning glory of his output are the great works for choir and orchestra, 'Stabat Mater', 'Missa Sabrinensis', and his masterpiece, 'Hymnus Paradisi', a visionary and inspired work written in response to the death of his 9 year old son from spinal meningitis.Admission £5 (student £1) at the door
Thursday 30th May 7.15pm
EXPLORING MUSIC:
MENDELSSOHN (i) The Early Years to 1833
A talk illustrated with fine CD recordings by Adrian Boynton
Mendelssohn's gifts were phenomenal. He was a superb pianist, a good violinist, an exceptional organist, and an inspiring conductor, with an amazing musical memory. His genius as a composer led Bulow to describe him as the most complete master of form after Mozart. Tonight we survey the works of his teens and early twenties, including the Piano Quartets in C minor and F minor (the first of these written at the age of 13), the exhilarating Octet (his first 'mature' work, written at the age of 16), String Quartets in Eb and A minor, beautiful songs and solo piano pieces, the overtures 'A Midsummer Nights Dream' and 'The Hebrides' (Fingals Cave'), Piano Concerto in G minor and 'Reformation' Symphony.
Admission £5 (student £1) at the door
JUNE 2019
Wednesday 12th June 7.30pm
DAVID MALUSA (piano)
SCHUBERT: Klavierstuck in Eb major, D946 n. 2
BEETHOVEN: Sonata in Ab major, op. 110
Sonata quasi una fantasia in C# minor, op. 27 n. 2
RACHMANINOV: Etude Tableau in C minor, op. 39 n.1
Prelude in G minor, op. 23 n. 5
CHOPIN: Andante Spianato et Grande Polonaise Brillante, op. 22
Fantasie Impromptu in C# minor, op. 66
SCRIABIN: Etude in C# minor op. 2
Etude in B minor, op. 8 n. 3
Prelude for the left hand op. 9
David Malusa graduated 'cum laude' from the Conservatoire Arrigo Pedrollo in Vincenza and completed the Master of Music programme and the Artist Diploma course at the Royal College of Music with distinction. He has been prizewinner at several international competitions, including first prizes at the Citta di Carrara, Citti di Cantalupa and the Jacques Samuel Intercollegiate Competition. A CD of his Wigmore Hall debut recital was highly acclaimed. Malusa returns to the City Church in an irresistible programme of classical and romantic masterworks.
Admission by programme at the door £12 (conc £11, child £1)
Monday 17th June 7.15pm
MUSICAL MILESTONES: The English Revival
GERALD FINZI
A talk illustrated with fine CD recordings by Adrian Boynton
Finzi's refined English pastoral idiom has its roots in Elgar and Vaughan Williams but also owes much to his respect for Bach and 18th century English composers. His instrumental works - including Ecologue for Piano and Strings, Cello Concerto and the delightful Clarinet Concerto - are marked by fertile thematic inversion, tender passion and superb string textures. His spacious 'Intimations of Immortality' and 'In terra pax' make an outstanding contribution to the English choral tradition. Above all, his solo vocal works - settings of Hardy and Traherne, including the great orchestral song cycle 'Dies Natalis' - reveal his exceptional sensitivity to English verse, and mark him as a composer of true genius.
Admission £5 (student £1) at the door
Sunday 23rd June 6pm
THE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT
THE CHOIR OF THE CITY CHURCH Directed by Adrian Boynton
Join us for a wonderful choral celebration of the season of Pentecost and the Holy Trinity, featuring music by Tallis, Gibbons, Bruckner, Mathias and Boynton, and a selection of beautiful readings.
Freewill offering
Thursday 27th June 7.15pm
EXPLORING MUSIC:
MENDELSSOHN (ii) The Mature Years (1833-1847)
A talk illustrated with fine CD recordings by Adrian Boynton
The 1830s and early '40s saw the completion of some of the great works for which Mendelssohn is chiefly remembered - the Italian and Scotch Symphonies, the Violin Concerto in E minor, the incidental music 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', the Piano Trios in D and C minor, the beautiful 'Song without Words' for piano solo and oratorios 'St Paul' and 'Elijah'. Some of Mendelssohn's later works may lack the spontaneity of his earlier compositions, but they demonstrate superb craftsmanship, melodic elegance, inventive orchestration and a fine blend of classical structure and romantic colour.
Admission £5 (student £1) at the door
Saturday 29th June 11.30am
SUMMER SERENADE
THE NEW ENGLISH SINGERS and SPECIAL GUESTS
Directed by Adrian Boynton
Adrian Boynton directs the New English Singers in a glorious summer programme which includes English madrigals, Victorian Partsongs, Brazilian and Venezuelan folk songs, beautiful settings of Stanford, Finzi and Vaughan Williams, and a touch of Gershwin and Porter. Special guests instrumentalists add richness and colour to the wonderful tapestry of sounds. Do join us to savour the aural delights and bring your friends. The afterwards, linger for awhile to enjoy Summer Cup and convivial company.
Admission £10 (conc £9.50, child £1) by programme at the door
JULY 2019
Sunday 7th July 7.30pm
SUMMER CELEBRATION featuring In aid of Advantage Africa
David Fanshawe's thrilling
AFRICAN SANCTUS
THE CORNERSTONE CHAMBER CHOIR, CORNERSTONE YOUNG VOICES, MUSIC SERVICE INTERMEDIATE CHOIR AND INSTRUMENTAL ENSEMBLE
Directed by Adrian Boynton
David Fanshawe spent much time in Africa in his mid to late twenties absorbing African culture, researching African folk music, and making a unique library of location recordings. In 1972 he wrote the extraordinary 'African Sanctus', which blends dramatically and movingly, the authentic sounds of various regions of North and East Africa with the colours, rhythms and harmonies of Twentieth century Western music. An award-winning BBC television film of the 'Sanctus', made on location, was shown in many parts of the world in the mid '70s, and since then the work has received international acclaim. Our celebration concert will include other exciting works from the African and Afro-American traditions. Special rates for parties of 10 or more available.
Tickets £17 (conc £16), £15 (conc £14) child £2 available online at
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/cornerstone-music (booking fee applies), by post from Cornerstone Music Tickets, 300 Saxon Gate West, Milton Keynes, MK9 2ES. Send a stamped S.A.E. and cheque payable to Cornerstone Music; telephone 01908 246486 (ans mach) or 07961 348697, email boyntonmusic@btinternet.com, 9 High Street, Olney, MK46 4EB or at the door.
Monday 15th July 7.15pm
MUSICAL MILESTONES: The English Revival
JOHN IRELAND & CYRIL SCOTT
A talk illustrated with fine CD recordings by Adrian Boynton
Ireland established his reputation with a fine body of chamber music demonstrating on exceptionally refined understanding of the instruments involved. His orchestral tone poems and overtures are colourfully scored and his Piano Concerto, with its racy jazz interludes, is among the finest of the Twentieth Century. The great choral work 'These things shall be' is an inspirational work expressing the composer's deepest hopes for mankind. Born just one month after Ireland, Cyril Scott became known as the 'English Debussy' on account of the Impressionist style of his piano and chamber works. He also produced a fine Piano Concerto, along with other symphonic and choral works.
Admission £5 (student £1) at the door
Thursday 25th July 7.15pm
EXPLORING MUSIC: The Early Romantics
CHOPIN (i) The Early Years to 1831
A talk illustrated with fine CD recordings by Adrian Boynton
Chopin, the greatest poet of the piano, used harmonic imagination and melodic invention to transform old forms and create new ones. We explore his upbringing in Warsaw, his studentship at Warsaw Conservatoire, his first tour of Germany and acclaimed visit to Vienna, and early years in Paris. The music of this period includes Sonata No 1, Piano Trio, Variations on Mozart's 'La ci darem', the two great Piano Concertos, and some fine Nocturnes, Waltzes, Mazurkas and Polonaises.
Admission £5 (student £1) at the door
Sunday 28th July 6pm
CHORAL EVENSONG
THE CHOIR OF THE CITY CHURCH Directed by Adrian Boynton
Freewill offering
SEPTEMBER 2019
Saturday 28th September 11.30am
THE RIDGEWAY ENSEMBLE
Judith Sheridan (soprano)Margaret Richards (cello)
Daniel King Smith (piano)William Winfield (reader)
VICTORIA & ALBERT - A MUSICAL ROMANCE
Bicentenary Celebration
MENDELSSOHN:Song Without Words, Op 109
Ich wollt' meine Lieb
Maiglockchen und die Blümlein
BELLINI:Malinconia
ALBERT:Ein ständchen/Der Bettler
Letzten Worte eines Barden
MOZART:The Magic Flute (selection)
VIARDOT:En Mer
SCHUMANN:Er ist gekommen
ELGAR:Chanson de Matin, Op 15
SULLIVAN:The Sun whose rays
Queen Victoria and Prince Albert's mutual passion for music was at the heart of their relationship from the very beginning. An accomplished composer, Albert shared his creative process in letters to the young Queen, and, as their married life progressed, it was punctuated by concerts, private performances and audiences with the musical elite of Europe. The Ridgeway Ensemble returns to the City Church to bring to life the musical world of the royal couple, through readings from their letters and diaries, contemporary accounts and performances of composers such as Mendelssohn, Elgar and Sullivan. At the heart of the programme are songs by Prince Albert himself for voice, cello and piano, which have remained unpublished and unperformed until now. Also noteworthy is the inclusion of works by three women composers - Fanny Mendelssohn, Pauline Viardot and Clara Schumann (whose bicentenary falls this year).
Join us for this celebration of the musical tastes and achievements of a royal couple, opening a window into the musical life of Victorian England.
OCTOBER 2019
Sunday 20th October 6pm
A CHORAL CELEBRATION OF SCOTLAND
THE CHOIR OF THE CITY CHURCH
Directed by Adrian Boynton Led by Revd Wendy Carey
Join us for a glorious celebration of Scottish composers, hymn writers and poets, with fine examples of Scottish choral writing, old and new, beautiful arrangements, of Scottish melodies and the beautiful music of the Iona tradition. The service includes Adrian Boynton's original composition 'An Iona Blessing' his arrangement of 'A Touching Place', and music by the great Scottish composer of our day James MacMillan.
All are welcome. Freewill offering
Monday 21st October 7.15pm
MUSICAL MILESTONES:The English Revival
ARNOLD BAX & GEORGE BUTTERWORTH
A talk illustrated with fine CD recordings by Adrian Boynton
Arnold Bax is one of Britain's neglected treasures. His orchestral tone poems - 'Tintagel', 'In the Faery Hills', 'The Garden of Fand', and others - are among the finest of any of the English late romantics. His seven symphonies, luxuriantly scored and full of romantic melody, contain, to quote Michael Kennedy, "far too much good music to deserve their current total neglect." His chamber works are beautifully crafted for the instruments, and there are some exquisite short choral pieces. George Butterworth demonstrated exceptional promise as a composer before his untimely death in the trenches at Pozieres in 1916. Tonight we hear his 'The Banks of Green Willow' and 'A Shropshire Lad'.
Admission £5 (student £1) at the door
Thursday 31st October 7.15pm
EXPLORING MUSIC:150th Anniversary Celebration
BERLIOZ: The Early Years
A talk illustrated with fine CD recordings by Adrian Boynton
Among the early Romantic masters Berlioz stands apart - a musician of extraordinary flair, grand ideas and a formidable sense of drama. Tonight we feature his early songs, the 'Messe Solenelle' (recently rediscovered after being lost for more than a century and a half), the first concert overtures, the dramatic cantata 'La Mort de Cleopatra', the epoch-making 'Symphonie Fantastique', which won him the Prix de Rome in 1831, the beautiful song cycle 'Nuits d'été' and the autobiographical symphony with viola solo 'Harold in Italy'. A feast of great music.
Admission £5 (student £1) at the door
NOVEMBER 2019
Sunday 3rd November 3pm (please note start time)
AMIT YAHAV (piano)
MENDELSSOHN:Fantasy in F sharp minor, Op 28
SCHUMANN:Fantasy in C major, Op 17
CHOPIN:Nocturnes in Bb minor, F min & B maj
CHOPIN:Polonaise - Fantaisie in Ab, Op 61
CHOPIN:Three Mazurkas, Op 50
CHOPIN:Fantasy in F minor, Op 49
Amit Yahav graduated with honours from the Royal College of Music. He won the Anthony Lindsay prize and the Brooks-van der Pump prize. He was awarded the Special Jury Prize at the Northwood - Ruislip Concerto Competition and was First Prizewinner at the International Israeli Competition in London. He has received high praise for his interpretations of Schumann and Chopin, including several acclaimed recordings, and is currently conducting doctoral research into the latter, with the support of the RCM's Polonsky Award. Amit's Milton Keynes recital features the piano fantasy of the nineteenth century, culminating in Chopin's great Fantasy in F minor.
Admission by programme at the door £12 (conc £11, child £1)
Sunday 10th November 6pm
CHORAL EVENSONG FOR REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY
THE CHOIR OF THE CITY CHURCH
directed by Adrian Boynton Led by Revd Tim Norwood
A beautiful service reflecting the season of All Saints, All Souls &
Remembrance, with music by Tallis, Stanford, Ireland and Rutter.
Retiring Collection
Monday 11th November 7.15pm
MUSICAL MILESTONES:The English Revival
SIR ARTHUR BLISS & E.J. MOERAN
A talk illustrated with fine CD recordings by Adrian Boynton
For 22 years Sir Arthur Bliss filled the role of Master of the Queen's Music with flair and energy. His early Stravinskian phase gave way to works in a bold, post-Elgarian style, vigorous and rich in texture. Some of his best music is to be found in his chamber-works, notably the Clarinet Quintet, written for Frederick Thurston, and Oboe Quintet for Leon Goossens. His sense of drama and vivid musical imagery find their truest outlet in the ballets 'Checkmate' and 'Miracle in the Gorbals', and the excellent film score 'Things to Come'. Outstanding later works include 'Meditations on a Theme of John Blow', and the Cello Concerto. In contrast to the Bliss brilliance, we experience the warmhearted lyricism of E.J. Moeran in his Rhapsody for Piano and Orchestra, Symphony in G minor and Violin Concerto.
Admission £5 (student £1) at the door
Saturday 23rd November 1pm (please note start time)
CRISTIAN GRAJNER DE SA (violin)
MARINA NADIRADZE (piano)
BEETHOVEN:Violin Sonata in G, Op 96
BRAHMS:Scherzo in C minor
KREISLER:Two Miniatures
DEBUSSY:Violin Sonata in G minor
PAGANINI:Two Caprices
SARASATE:Zigeunerweisen
"His performances reflect a huge musicality, depth of interpretation
and technical expertise" [Vienna International Competition 2019]
Cristian was a finalist in BBC Young Musician 2012. He won 1st Prize in the inaugural 'Graba' International Violin Competition 2015. Last year he was one of seven violinists chosen to perform the semi-final stage of the George Enescu International Competition, and earlier this year was awarded the Gold Medal with High Distinction at the 1st International Vienna Competition. He has appeared at some of Europe's most celebrated festivals and academies, including the Sommerakademie Mozarteum, International Holland Music Sessions and Academia de Musique, Lausanne. Cristian is joined in this recital by outstanding accompanist and multiple prize-winner Marina Nadiradze, whose playing was recently compared by The Independent to that of the great Mitsuko Uchida.
Admission by programme at the door £10 (child £1)
Thursday 28th November 7.15pm
EXPLORING MUSIC:The Romantics
BERLIOZ: (ii)The Mature Years
A talk illustrated with fine CD recordings by Adrian Boynton
Berlioz's Requiem is on a huge scale. It calls for 16 timpani, and brass bands in the four corners of the church! Yet in some ways it is an intimate piece, and there are moments of exceptional beauty. The dramatic symphony 'Romeo and Juliet' (which greatly impressed Wagner) is full of delightful moments that wonderfully capture the atmosphere of the play. Two works of 1854 reflect different aspect of Berlioz's art - the ceremonial 'Te Deum', very much in the grand manner, and the gentle, homely oratorio 'L'Enfance du Christ'. His last two compositions also offer striking contrasts. The Shakespearian comic opera 'Beatrice and Bénédict', and the great epic 'The Trojans', a work of immense proportions, drawing together many of the creative threads from Berlioz's life.
Admission £5 (student £1) at the door
DECEMBER 2019
Sunday 1st December 6pm
THE ADVENT CAROL SERVICE 'O Come, O Come, Emmanuel'
THE CHOIR OF THE CITY CHURCH Directed by Adrian Boynton
Writers and musicians down the centuries have been
inspired by the season of Advent with its special atmosphere
of anticipation and expectation. Join us to share this
atmosphere in a beautiful candlelit service featuring passages
of scripture, poetry and prose and fine musical settings reflecting a range of styles from the High Renaissance to the present day. The service will conclude at 7.20pm.
Freewill offering.
Monday 9th December 7.15pm
MUSICAL MILESTONES:The English Revival
RUTLAND BOUGHTON & EDMUND RUBBRA
A talk illustrated with fine CD recordings by Adrian Boynton
Tonight we consider the remarkable contribution to English music of two 'local boys'. Aylesbury-born Rutland Boughton effectively founded Glastonbury Festival - as a vehicle for Wagnerian-style choral dramas based on Arthurian legend! Alongside major choral and theatre works, he wrote fine symphonies, concertos and chamber music. Northampton-born Edmund Rubbra's prolific output covers all musical forms except opera. His superb handling of modal harmony in a distinctively English tradition makes him a more than worthy successor to his teacher, Holst. His output includes beautiful religious choral works, outstanding chamber works and songs, and no less than eleven symphonies, whose musical substance and spiritual grandeur have still to be fully appreciated.
Admission £5 (student £1) at the door
Tuesday 17th December 12.30pm
THE CITY CENTRE CAROL SERVICE
THE CHOIR OF THE CITY CHURCH Directed by Boynton
Led by the Ministerial Team
Join us for this lovely lunchtime service of 45 minutes, followed by seasonal refreshments.
Thursday 19th December 7.15pm
EXPLORING MUSIC special
CHRISTMAS MUSIC THROUGH THE AGES (i) Medieval to BaroqueA talk illustrated with fine CD recordings by Adrian Boynton
In this seasonal special we trace the development of the carol from
its origins as a medieval round dance through the homophonic
carols and polyphonic Christmas motets of the Reformation to
the polychoral splendours of the late Renaissance and early Baroque
in works by Gabrieli, Monteverdi, Hassler and Schutz. Mature
Baroque masterpieces form the culmination of our journey, and
we end the evening with the greatest of all - Bach's Christmas Oratorio - as prelude to a performance of the work by the Cornerstone Chamber Choir and Orchestra on 5th January.
Admission £5 (student £1) at the door
Saturday 21st December 11.30am
A CHRISTMAS CRACKER with
THE NEW ENGLISH SINGERS & SPECIAL GUESTS
Directed by Adrian Boynton
This is a lovely event for the whole family. The New
English Singers capture the joy and happiness of the Christmas Season with a range of choral settings from around the world reflecting different styles and traditions with guest appearances from fine instrumental soloists, and surprises and delights at every turn, this promises to be a real 'cracker' of a Christmas concert. Following the music we invite you to linger awhile, relax and enjoy seasonal refreshments.
Admission (to include refreshments) £10 (children £1) at the door
Sunday 22nd December 6pm
THE CORNERSTONE CAROL SERVICE 'Joy to the World'
THE CITY CHURCH CHOIR & CORNERSTONE BRASS
Directed by Adrian Boynton Led by the Ministerial Team
A joyful celebration of the Saviours birth in words and music,
with familiar carols for all to sing, magnificent choral offerings
from the choir and lively contributions from Cornerstone Brass.
Do join us and bring your friends. Freewill offering.
