Cathedral Choir to sing Burrell Mass for first time in June

Diana Burrell, the internationally renowned composer, has completed a new Missa Brevis for Brentwood Cathedral Choir. The first performance will be on Sunday 18th June at the 11.30am Choral Mass at the Cathedral in the presence of the composer, with a number of specially invited guests in attendance. Parishioners from across Essex and East London are warmly invited to come to this special occasion for the Diocese, for the Cathedral and for the Choir.

Two years ago, it was decided that the Cathedral Choir would commission a new work as its contribution to the Centenary, and so introduce a major new Choral Mass setting to add to the many established and contemporary settings in Latin in its repertoire. The Mass also includes choral settings of the Memorial Acclamations for The Roman Missal and for Common Worship. Andrew Wright, Master of Music, said: “We are confident that the new Mass setting will be sung in many cathedrals and major churches.  Brentwood Cathedral Choir has been very privileged to be involved ecumenically through its work in church music over the years, and especially with Chelmsford Cathedral Choir. The intention, therefore, was to commission a work that could be used as widely as possible.”

He added: “This is the largest music commission placed by the cathedral. We are deeply grateful to all our sponsors, and to Stephen King, Cathedral Organist, for his initiative in bringing this whole project to fruition.”

Diana Burrell lives in Harwich, and is a parishioner at the church of Our Lady, Queen of Heaven.  She has composed works for King’s College Choir, Cambridge, and most recently a concerto for brass and orchestra. The latter was given its first performance last November by the BBC Symphony Orchestra at The Barbican.

Picture shows Stephen King, Diana Burrell and Andrew Wright outside Brentwood Cathedral