The first, heard in our Spring Concert in May, was the British Premier of a Mass written by Wilhelm Schosland and the second to  performed in October, was, the UK Premier, and probably the first live performance since early nineteenth century of a work by the famous composerJohann Nepomuk Hummel!

Wilhelm Schosland (1896 - 1975) was Organist and Choirmaster at the St Mattias Church in Berlin Schoneberg and in 1920 he composed a Mass for his then Parish Priest: Clemens August Graf (Count) Von Galen. This Mass for four part choir and Chamber Orchestra was, due to lack of resources, never performed and lay undiscovered until 2004. Meanwhile the Priest for whom it was written went on to become Bishop of Munster where he became a fearless and outspoken opponent to the Nazi extermination of The Jews and disabled and mentally ill people. He became known as THE LION OF MUNSTER'. Three of his Homilies from 1941 were deemed to be so potentially damaging to German Morale, that they were turned into pamphlets and air dropped over Germany by the RAF as propaganda. In 1945 he was elevated to Cardinal.

In January2005 St Mattias Church received the news that Von Galen was to be Beatified. This work's one and only performance was held during the High Mass celebrating the Beatification. Co-incidentally the organ used during this performance was made in Kevelaer which is twinned with Bury St Edmunds.

The Composer's Son left Germany as a boy and came to England just prior to the war. He now sings as a member of The Trinity Singers. (He is available for interview)

It is a huge coup for the choir to have been offered the Hummel Mass in D minor by Johann Nepomuk Hummel 1778- 1837. Last in the line of Viennese composers his death marked the end of a musical era. This Mass appears not to have been published and this performing edition was made by our director, Stephen Hogger for a recording by Chandos Records Ltd. (Available for interview)

This performance was the first in the UK and possibly the only performance given since Hummel's own at Esterhazy.

Our Christmas celebration this year will be held at Holy Trinity Church, Long Melford on Saturday 12th December at 3.00pm.

Please contact Sarah Wilson at 01787 378957 or landers_bookshop@btconnect.com for further information.