Words of 18th century Wigton poet to be revived in Choral Society’s tribute to Ukraine

Wigton Choral Society are preparing for the premiere of a new piece at their Christmas Concert this December.

Ian Wright, their musical director, has produced a choral arrangement of a traditional Ukrainian folk melody, which he has set to a poem by 18th century Wigton poet Ewan Clark (1734-1811).

Entitled ‘Ode for Christmas Day’, the poem begins “Hark! Celestial voices sing / This day is born the heav’nly king” and was first published in Clark’s ‘Miscellaneous Poems’ of 1779.

Ewan himself lived at Standingstone, Wigton, and kept a schoolhouse there. His father, the elder Wilfrid Clark, was Vicar of Wigton from 1763 to 1802, as was Ewan’s brother, the younger Wilfrid Clark, from 1802 to 1804. The concert will take place in St Mary’s Church, Wigton – the building where both Wilfrids ministered and which Ewan would have known well.

The Ukrainian folk tune which Mr Wright has used is called ‘Oh, What A Wonder!’ and is best known to Ukrainians in the arrangement by Vasyl Barvinsky published in 1912.

Pieces such as Jonathan Willcocks’ ‘In excelsis’, Carl Rutti’s ‘Three Carols’, and a larger-scale work – Cecilia McDowall’s Christus Natus Est’ – will also appear in the programme. Another notable feature will be the performance of ‘In Dulci Jubilo’ for double choir by 16th-century composer Michael Praetorius. The choir will be accompanied by the Throstle Brass Quintet and organist David T Shingler.

The concert will take place on Saturday 10th December at 7.30pm in St Mary’s Church, Wigton. Tickets (£13 in advance or £15 on the door) are available from Catherine Servanté: email [email protected] or call 016973 51934.