Music of A Thousand Breaths
The unique medieval wall paintings at Pickering Church
date from 1450 AD and - according to Pevsner - they are one of the most
complete sets of medieval wall paintings in the UK. They depict some of
the most vivid and dramatic moments from sacred history and myth: St George
spearing a dragon, St Christopher carrying the Christ child, and the martyrdom
of St Catherine, St Edmund and St Thomas are all presented here, along with the
crucifixion and resurrection.
Following a collaborative research award from York St John University, composer
David Lancaster has collaborated with poet Abi Curtis to create a performance
which breathes life into the painted figures and allows them to tell their
stories in song, instrumental music and dance. Abi initially created ten
poetic texts which David has set to music, and they will be performed by a
professional ensemble of talented young singers and instrumentalists in the
Church at Pickering, surrounded by the paintings themselves. The
performance will also include sacred music of the renaissance and an electronic
soundscape by David Power.
Words by Abi Curtis
Music by David Lancaster
Saturday 21st
July 2018 at 7:30 pm
Admission £8/5 (all proceeds to Pickering Parish Church’s Heritage Project)
Tickets are available from https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/music-of-a-thousand-breaths-the-pickering-frescoes-tickets-44668473607