Video Information

• Choir: St Peter's Singers of Leeds
• Piece: Ave Maria
• Composer:  Dr Simon Lindley
• Arranger:  Dr Simon Lindley
• Conductor:  Dr Simon Lindley
• Voices:  SATB
• Genres: Sacred, Contemporary
• Simon Lindley's setting of 'Ave Maria' - under the title of 'Litany for Mary' - was produced originally as a setting for upper voices. The music was devised to short call order for a Mothers' Union Deanery Service in what was then Leeds Parish Church on...  moreSimon Lindley's setting of 'Ave Maria' - under the title of 'Litany for Mary' - was produced originally as a setting for upper voices. The music was devised to short call order for a Mothers' Union Deanery Service in what was then Leeds Parish Church on Lady Day - the Feast of the Annunciation - in March 1979. Its accompaniment owes much to the setting of Robert Herrick's 'Litany to the Holy Spirit' by Peter Hurford of some twenty years earlier. 'Ave Maria' has been extensively recorded and broadcast by choirs of all traditions, especially children's choirs. Eventually, a version of the piece for four-part choir emerged during the early weeks of 2003 in response to a request from Gordon Stewart on behalf of the BBC Radio 4 Pilgrim Choir and it is this more recent version that is sung here.
  
  This performance was recorded in Leeds Minster on Sunday 28th April 2013 during the recital of 'Music with Minster connections' sung by St Peter's Singers of Leeds, directed by the composer. The organist is David Houlder and the soprano soloists are Helen Strange and Kristina James.
  
  Leeds Minster, formerly Leeds Parish Church, has a long and distinguished musical history. The list of organists and past organists of the Parish Church of St Peter-at-Leeds is outstanding. 'Music with Minster connections' celebrated both this heritage and the status of Leeds Minster with music from its famous composers since the consecration of the then-new building on 2nd September 1841, over 171 years ago.
  
  More details about St Peter's Singers, including forthcoming concerts, recitals and liturgical performances, may be found on our website www.stpeters-singers.org.uk and on our Facebook group page 'St Peter's Singers of Leeds'  less