Concert at St Mary Magdalen
On Saturday 12 July 7.30pm, one of north Bedfordshire's oldest churches, St Mary Magdalen, in the pretty village of Melchbourne, is the venue for a delightful evening of organ playing by prolific local composer Paul Edwards and singing by Liz Budek and Yvette Howley. The programme of short pieces covers music from several centuries up to the present day. Why not relax at the end of a busy week listening to this newly restored 18th century organ, followed by a glass of wine overlooking tranquil countryside.
Paul will also be playing some of his own compositions. He says of his composing:
"Composition of music is, for me, first and last an expression of emotion. It does not matter particularly if the emotions felt by the listener (or the performer) are not the same as those which gave rise to the music’s creation : the main thing which matters is that the music moves those who hear and those who sing or play, and expresses feelings which cannot be expressed otherwise. I believe that music without human or spiritual feeling has no point whatsoever.
I mean and feel the music I compose with every fibre of myself, and if it says something to the listener and performer then the labours of composition will not have been in vain."
The concert is a joint fundraiser for the church and the Bedfordshire branch of Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE). Tickets @ £10 from 01234 353331/ 708728 or at the door. Melchbourne's celebratory weekend continues the following day with its Feast Day, unbroken since the middle ages.
Further details 01234 35333/ 07989 837819
Notes:
The church dates back to the 12th century but was largely rebuilt, except for the tower, in the 1770s.
Paul Edwards was born in Turvey; a chorister at St Paul's church, Bedford, he was educated at Bedford Modern School. Paul's life has always been imbued with his love and great knowledge of music. He is a prolific composer, especially of church music of which his exquisite christmas carol 'No small wonder' has become nationally recognized; it is sung by many choirs including Kings College, Cambridge. Paul's compositions are often inspired by the Bedfordshire countryside .
Paul is organist and Director of Music at St James's Church, Biddenham and All Saints Church, Kempston Rural. He teaches the piano and also earns a living as a coach driver. His encyclopedic knowledge includes a fascinating with the history of buses.
Liz Budek, soprano, is a school teacher and is married to local bookseller Peter, of The Eagle Bookshop. They have two young children. Liz has singing lessons with Ann Rose. Yvette Howley, alto, was a choral scholar at St Paul’s, Bedford and sings with the Concord Singers as does Paul.
CPRE Bedfordshire was formed in 1987 to promote and protect Bedfordshire's countryside for present and future generations. It advocates positive solutions for the long-term future of the countryside. It is a branch of the national charity founded in 1926. It has 60,000 supporters with HM Queen as its patron and Bill Bryson as National President