Festival Weekend 1998

1998 is the third weekend festival to be held at St. Stephens over the May Bank Holiday weekend. Having had the theme of "Whitlock" in 1996 on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of his death, and "Pearson" in 1997, the year of his centenary, it would seem difficult to find as worthy a theme. It is, however, the 100th birthday of the "Hill" organ in St. Stephens, and we will be celebrating the contribution that this magnificent instrument has made over the past 100 years.

The festival is a musical celebration within a liturgical framework, and as such highlights are the High Masses (on Saturday and Sunday). We particularly welcome Bishop Colin James who, as the first Rector of the town Centre Parish was "Priest in Charge" of St. Stephens.

Musical highlights include the "Percy Whitlock Recital", given this year by the legendary Dr. Francis Jackson, organist of York Minster for the majority of the post-war period. He will also be talking to Malcolm Riley (the biographer of Whitlock) about his life in the lecture. We look forward to hearing the Choir of Chichester Cathedral sing evensong under their director, Alan Thurlow.

St. Stephens Choir will be singing the rarely heard Wood Mass in F on Saturday, and the Mozart Mass in B flat, K.275, on Sunday.

The Choral Concert on Sunday evening includes a performance of "St. Nicholas" by Benjamin Britten, which was first performed 50 years ago in 1948.

Saturday 2nd May
10:45 a.m. Festival High Mass
Preacher : Bishop Colin James
(Formally Bishop of Winchester)
Music : Mass in F by Charles Wood
St. Stephens Choir directed by Ian Harrison
Festival Organist : Christopher Moore

3.00 p.m. Lecture
Dr. Francis Jackson
in conversation with Malcolm Riley
Dr. Jackson, now in his 80th year, has had a career in church music which has spanned the majority of this century.

4.30 p.m. Festival Tea

6.00 p.m. CHORAL EVENSONG
sung by the choir of
CHICHESTER CATHEDRAL
Directed by : Alan Thurlow

7.30 p.m. The "PERCY WHITLOCK" RECITAL
given by DR. FRANCIS JACKSON
(Sponsored by the Whitlock Trust)

Sunday 3rd May
10:45 p.m. HIGH MASS
Music : Mozart Mass in B flat, K275
St. Stephens Choir and Strings

3.00 p.m. Choral Evensong

7.00 p.m. Choral Concert
"St. Nicholas"
by
BENJAMIN BRITTEN
The 50th Anniversary performance with St. Stephen's Choir and Orchestra
Durlston Court School Choir - Directed by Ian Harrison

Monday 4th May
12:30 p.m. LUNCHTIME ORGAN RECITAL

6:00 p.m. SOLEMN VESPERS & BENEDICTION
Music : Pergolesi Magnificat
St. Stephens Choir and strings - conducted by Ian Harrison

The final act of worship at this 1998 Festival