Birmingham Bach Choir launch their 26/27 concert season in November with a night dedicated to three early 20th century British greats.

A Very English Concert features three richly textured choral pieces by Hubert Parry, Vaughan Williams, and Gustav Holst that collectively radiate a distinctly British voice.

Parry began working on Songs Of Farewell in 1913, with the bulk of their composition completed over the next two years. Praised for their passion, and considered amongst the best of his later works, the first motet - My soul, there is a country - is perhaps the most well known, with text from 17th century Metaphysical poet Henry Vaughan’s Peace.

A former pupil of Parry, Cheltenham-born Gustav Holst hailed from a family of musicians. Tomorrow Shall be My Dancing Day (also known as This Have I Done for My True Love) was composed around the same time as Parry’s motets. With lyrics from an old carol and the music influenced by an increasing interest in English folk music, the composer considered it one of his finest works, and it was performed during his burial at Chichester Cathedral in 1934.

Ralph Vaughan Williams struck up a lifelong friendship with Holst, and like his friend, studied under Parry. His Mass In G Minor was completed in 1921. Dedicated to Holst, it received its concert premiere in Birmingham the following year. The five movement mass honours Tudor church music yet remains a very much a 20th century work, with Williams creating a rich soulful choral tapestry by dividing the choir’s 50 singers into two groups, with four soloists.

The concert marks Birmingham Bach Choir’s return to Bournville Parish Church following November 2025’s enthusiastically reviewed sell-out Let There Be Light – their first concert at the venue in over a decade.

Birmingham Bach Choir's A Very English Concert is at Bournville Parish Church, Birmingham on Saturday 21 November at 6pm. For tickets and more information, see: birmingham.bachchoir.com