Norwich Cathedral was full to capacity for last night’s concert A ROYAL CELEBRATION: MUSIC IN HONOUR OF OUR NEW KING.
The audience gave a standing ovation to all the performers who were all on top form; Patrick, the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, Norwich Cathedral Choir, Ashley Grote (Master of Music), soprano Natalie Clifton-Griffiths and harpist Mared Pugh-Evans.
The concert opened with the National Anthem, introduced by the majestic Gordon Jacob fanfare played on the newly restored organ (the first concert in which it has been played since the renovation). There followed a rousing performance of Handel’s Zadok the Priest and Mozart’s Laudate Dominum. The first half ended with Patrick’s Highgrove Suite which Patrick wrote for His Majesty inspired by his gardens at Highgrove.
The second half began with Parry’s choral masterpiece I Was Glad, followed by Patrick’s All Princely Graces written for the Queen’s Jubilee in 2022 in a new arrangement for choir and strings. Patrick then conducted Elgar’s Serenade for Strings and finished off the concert with an exhilarating performance of his Song of Songs.
All profits – currently being calculated – are being shared between Norwich Cathedral Trust and the East Anglian Air Ambulance.
A Royal Celebration. Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, Norwich Cathedral Choir, Ashley Grote & Patrick Hawes. Photograph: Bill Smith/Norwich Cathedral
