In a musical world where reputations tend to be acquired slowly and patiently, the City of Glasgow Chorus has gained an established renown in a remarkably short period of time. Those who know it from its popular performances throughout the UK and overseas, its accomplished recordings, or its wide and diverse repertoire, may be surprised to learn that the City of Glasgow Chorus is only just celebrating its 24th birthday and, remarkably, is still under the baton of its founder.
The choir was founded in 1983 by Graham Taylor, who is still its Director of Music. Since then, it has established its position as the biggest independent choral group in the west of Scotland and a significant player in Scotland’s arts environment. It has achieved this in spite of, or perhaps because of, a policy of performing less familiar pieces in the mainstream choral repertoire. The Chorus presents a series of self-promoted concerts each season, which have included in recent years performances of a string of lesser-known works by very well-known composers, for example, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Requiem, Verdi’s Four Sacred Pieces, Holst’s Choral Symphony, Puccini’s Messa di Gloria, Arnold’s The Return of Odysseus, Vaughan William’s A Sea Symphony, and Mahler’s Symphony no. 8 (The Symphony of a Thousand).
No less important for building the Chorus’ reputation has been a string of collaborations with leading orchestras and performers. Some particular highlights include a joint performance of Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis with the Philharmonia Chorus, and participation in a large-scale performance of Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana for the BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall. Other past collaborations include performances with the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland, the Orchestra of the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, the Paragon Ensemble, the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, the Orchestra of Scottish Opera, and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. Individual singers who have graced Chorus performances include Lesley Garrett, Sarah Brightman, Willard White, Maria Ewing and José Carreras. A list of some past performance highlights can be found here.
The City of Glasgow Chorus has also gained popularity with overseas audiences. Notable performances include concerts in Notre Dame Cathedral in Chartres, and a tour of the Czech Republic in 1996, where the Chorus performed the Prague premiere of William Walton’s Belshazzar’s Feast with the Karlovy Vary Symphony Orchestra.
In the studio, the Chorus has recorded the CD albums Flower of Scotland with the City of Glasgow Philharmonic Orchestra (conducted by Iain Sutherland) and The Pilgrim, a Celtic Suite by Shaun Davey. It has also recorded two highly successful collections of Choral Classics, directed by Graham Taylor and featuring John Langdon on organ. In October 2005 the Chorus, together with the Orchestra of Scottish Opera, made the world première recording of Sir Malcolm Arnold's humorous dramatic cantata The Return of Odysseus. The CD also features a performance of Vaughan William's choral work Toward the Unknown Region and Milhaud's Suite Française. Click here to buy copies.
The City of Glasgow Chorus Trust is a Company limited by guarantee, with charitable status. It is registered in Scotland (113563), and its Registered Charity number is SCO 04791.
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