From Birmingham
The Birmingham Studio Chorus and Augmented Orchestra (Leader, Frank Cantell). Conducted by Joseph Lewis
FlFINE DE LA COTE
(Soprano)
MARGERY PHILLIPS
(Contralto)
RICHARD HAWKINS
(Tenor)
DUNSTAN HART
(Baritone)
I. ' THE LIGHT OF LIFE'
A Sacred Oratorio by Edward Elgar
For Four Solo Voices, Chorus, and Orchestra
WHEN -The Light of Life was performed at the Worcester Three-Choirs Festival of 1896, nobody suggested that the composer of this simple-voiced and complacently fashionable music was destined to stand before the world as a genius. But even then he was at work on the far greater work, The Dream of Gerontius, which was to place him on his pedestal four years later.
The subject of the Oratorio is the miracle of the blind man restored to sight, told in St. John, chapters ix. and x. The Gospel words were selected and expository verses added by the Rev. E. Capel-Cure, vicar of Brndninch, in Devonshire.
There are sixteen sections, the first of which is an orchestral Meditation. The third is opened by the Contralto soloist with the narrative words: 'As Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from his birth.' In the fifth, sung by the Baritone soloist, occur the words: 'As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world,' which give the clue to the spiritual theme of the Oratorio : Jesus, the Bringer of Light.

Bach, arr. Banlock For Orchestra only

For Four Solo Voices, Chorus, and Orchestra

Mozart died before he could finish the Requiem, which was commissioned by a stranger in 1791, and parts of it (chiefly the last three numbers) were completed by his pupil, Sussmayr.
The items are these (in E. J. Dent's translation):-

1. Requiem ceternam. 'Grant to Thy departed rest eternal... O hearken unto our supplication... Show to us Thy mercy, Lord.'

2. Dies irae. 'Day of judgment, day of mourning... O what fears... when from Heaven the Judge descendeth!'

3. Tuba mirum (Solo). 'Wondrous sound the trumpet flingeth... All before God's throne it bringeth... When the Judge His seat attaineth... Nothing unavenged remaineth.'

4. Rex tremendae. 'Lord of majesty tremendous, free salvation Thou dost send us, save us then, Fount of pity, then befriend us!'

5. Recordare. 'Lord, remember my salvation caused Thy wondrous incarnation; Save me from damnation... Hear my weeping and my wailing... Supreme torment, fire undying... to Thy right hand upraise me.'

6. Confutatis. 'While the accursed are confounded... Call me then to bliss unbounded...'

7. Lacrymosa. 'Day of anguish, day of mourning, From the dust of earth returning, Man for judgment must prepare him. Spare, O Lord, in, mercy - spare him.'

8. Domine Jesu Christe. 'Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour... Save, we beseech Thee, the souls of all Thy faithful departed servants from fire everlasting..... Give to Thine angel charge over them, to keep them in all Thy ways...'

9. Hostias. 'Lord, receive Thou these our prayers and offerings... We give to Thee thanks for all those departed... whom we this day are remembering...'

10. Sanctus. 'Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Sabaoth! Heaven and earth are full of Thy glory. Hosanna in the highest!'

11. Benedictus. 'He is blessed that cometh in the name of the Lord.'

12. Agnus Dei. 'Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, grant them Thine eternal peace, we beseech Thee... '

Arranged by The MOTHERS' UNION
Conducted by the Rev. Canon OSCAR HARDMAN
Hymn, 'Lord of Life and King of Glory' (E. H., 530)
Confession and Lord's Prayer
The Apostles' Creed Magnificat
Lesson
Thanksgivings and Intercessions
Hymn No. 605, E. H., 'Once in Royal David's City'
Address by the Rev. Canon Oscar HARDMAN, D.D.
Hymn, 'Praise, my Soul, the King of Heaven' (E. H., 470)
Blessing
Today is Mothering Sunday, a day specially honoured by the Mothers' Union as a rallying-point for its continuous efforts in the cause for which it was founded in 1876-' to uphold the sanctity of marriage, to give to mothers the strength that comes of fellowship in prayer, and to help them to train their families in holiness and purity of life.' The Union now has more than half-a-million members, including single women who are enrolled as associates, and a fitting centre for its activities in Mary Sumner House, named after the founder of the Union, in Tufton Street, Westminster, opened in 1925.

THE WIRELESS MILITARY BAND, conducted by B. WALTON O'DONNELL
NORAH DAHL (Soprano) ; REX PALMER
(Baritone)