Choral Concert

Basingstoke Choral Society returns to The Anvil this November with a stirring evening of music by Johannes Brahms, one of the great masters of the Romantic era. Under the direction of Conductor Jordan Theis, the Society will be joined by the acclaimed Docklands Sinfonia, soprano Sofia Ticciati, and baritone Ross Cummings for a performance of two of Brahms’ most powerful and moving choral works: A German Requiem and Song of Destiny (Schicksalslied).
The concert begins at 7:30 pm on Saturday 22nd November 2025, with a pre-concert talk at 6:30 pm offering audiences insight into the music, the composer, and the evening’s programme.
Brahms’ German Requiem stands as one of the most profound and human of all choral works. Composed following the death of the composer’s mother, it offers comfort to the living rather than focusing on the judgement of the dead — a deeply personal reflection on loss, compassion, and hope. Its luminous fourth movement, “How Lovely Are Thy Dwellings”, remains one of the most cherished and frequently performed pieces in the choral repertoire.
Also featured in the programme is Schicksalslied (Song of Destiny), a radiant and dramatic setting of a poem by Friedrich Hölderlin. Though shorter in length, the work is no less powerful - contrasting the serene world of the gods with the turbulent struggles of humanity, and showcasing Brahms’ gift for marrying text and music with emotional depth and beauty.
“Both works reveal the very best of Brahms — his humanity, his sensitivity, and his ability to express the full range of emotion through music,” said Jordan Theis, Musical Director of Basingstoke Choral Society. “This concert will be a celebration of life, loss, and the power of choral music to move and inspire.”