Eden Prairie concert to feature rediscovered works by Harold Darke
A Minnesota effort to recover rarely heard music by English composer Harold Darke will take the stage in Eden Prairie. The Oratorio Society of Minnesota and University of Minnesota Chamber Singers will present “An English Landscape: The Musical Legacy of Harold Darke” at 3 p.m. at Wooddale Church. A worldwide livestream will also be available.
Conducted by OSM Artistic Director Matthew Mehaffey, the concert marks the 50th anniversary of Darke’s death. It features the world premiere of “The Beatitudes” and U.S. premieres of “Youth Rides Forth” and “The Evening Cloud,” alongside Darke’s familiar Christmas carol, “In the Bleak Midwinter.”
The performances grew from a collaboration with the composer’s estate and grandson, Graham Darke. Mehaffey and fellow editor Dave Fielding used handwritten manuscripts to prepare modern performing editions through the English Heritage Music Series, hosted by the University of Minnesota Libraries.
“To hold Harold Darke’s original handwriting in our hands and make a direct connection to his grandson, Graham, has been an immense privilege,” Mehaffey said. “The Beatitudes,” the program’s centerpiece, combines blessings from the Gospel of Matthew with other literary texts. Organist and composer Sam Backman created versions of the recovered works for string orchestra, organ and timpani.
Featured performers include soprano Jennifer Olson, tenor Nicholas Chalmers, baritone Andrew Kane and Backman, joined by a professional string orchestra and the combined choruses.
Tickets are $25 for general seating, $35 for premier seating and $10 for students. Livestream access is $10. Tickets are available at oratorio.org and at the door.
