In a strange land: Music in Exile
About the concert
On Saturday 14 October 2023, we presented our first concert under the baton of our new director, Daniel Gethin. With music by Pärt, Byrd, Schütz, Dowland, Hindemith, Coleridge-Taylor and more, we explored the theme of Exile, with many of the works being inspired by Psalm 137 “By the waters of Babylon, we sat down and wept”.
Will were delighted to be joined by Will Fairbairn on the organ.
Programme
- Joseph Barnby — Psalm 137, vv1-3 (Anglican chant)
- Philippe de Monte — Super Flumina Babylonis
- Paul Hindemith — Messe (Kyrie)
- Johann Sebastian Bach — An Wasserflussen Babylon
- Arvo Pärt — An den Wassern zu Babel saßen wir und weinten
- Heinrich Schütz — An den Wassern zu Babel
- Samuel Coleridge-Taylor — By the Waters of Babylon
- Edward Bairstow — Psalm 137, vv4-9 (Anglican chant)
- William Byrd — Quomodo Cantabimus
- J. Dowland — In This Trembling Shadow
- William Byrd — Voluntary for my Ladye Nevell
- Arnold Schoenberg — Volkslieder, Op. 49 (nos. 1 and 2)
- William Byrd — Ne Irascaris Domine
- Marenzio — Super Flumina Babylonis a 12
Performers
Daniel Gethin
After reading English at Cambridge University, Daniel Gethin embarked on a career as a countertenor and director, singing first at New College, Oxford as a lay clerk before moving to London, where he is currently one of the regular singers at St Paul’s Cathedral. He has performed across all of London's major churches and concert halls as well as touring and has worked with vocal ensembles such as Tenebrae, The Sixteen, Cardinall’s Musick, Academy of Ancient Music, La Nuova Musica and Ex Cathedra. He is a core member of Vox Medicea, a Florence-based ensemble which seeks to revive polyphony from the era of the Medici family. He is the Director of Choral Music at Our Most Holy Redeemer, Exmouth Market and St Mark’s, Myddleton Square, alongside Dulwich choir, Myriad. He has also worked for the charity Pimlico Musical Foundation as a Teacher-Singer since its foundation in 2018, combining his loves for singing and education.
From the programme of 10 October 2026.
Will Fairbairn
William Fairbairn is Organist and Teacher of Music at St Paul’s School. In Easter 2022, he also took up the role of Assistant Director of Music at St Marylebone Parish Church. He has previously held Organ Scholarships at Truro Cathedral; All Saints’ Church, Fulham; and St Catharine’s College, Cambridge, where he also studied Music. Whilst there, he played under Dr Edward Wickham for the College Choir and the St Catharine’s College Girls’ Choir ‒ the first of its kind in Oxbridge ‒ accompanying them in their weekly round of services. He also accompanied both choirs on tours in Europe and the Far East, as well as being accompanist for three commercial recordings and broadcasts on BBC Radio 3 and 4.
During his third year in Cambridge, he acted as accompanist to Cambridge University Music Society Chorus under Sir Stephen Cleobury and Mark Austen, helping them prepare for performances of major concert works. He also accompanied them on a tour to Rome. He regularly works as an accompanist on the Rodolfus Choral Courses, and has staffed on courses in Shanghai too. Since moving to London, William works as a freelance organist, and has been engaged to play at churches including St Paul’s Cathedral; St Margaret’s, Westminster; and Chelsea Old Church. Whilst at Truro, William gained his FRCO, winning the Harding/Durant and Turpin/Durrant prizes, and the Samuel Baker prize for the highest aggregate mark. William is also artistic director of Coro Spezzato, a vocal group of young professionals formed in the lockdowns to provide a professional platform for the country’s brightest young singers and composers.
The choir
Sopranos
- Kathryn Bartlett
- Jenny Burgess
- Penny Davies
- Nancy Khan
- Karen Mackintosh
- Katie Mackintosh
- Sue Thompson
Altos
- Ruth Brook
- Laura Davey
- Emily Grant
- Sue Oldham
- Natalie Robinson
- Jill Saudek
Tenors
- Ralph Barlow
- Jonathan Coulson
- Craig Myers
- Matthew Price
- Nick Stein
- Roger Thorpe
Basses
- Charlie Crabtree
- James Loader
- Clive Richards
- Peter Thompson
Singers
- Alfie Beston
- Fiona Davey
- Daniel Gethin
- Anne Greenidge
- Bob Pruden
- Rachel Sloan
Listen
Psalm 137, vv1-3 (Anglican chant) — Joseph Barnby
Recorded by Clive