Vaughan Williams’ magnificent choral First Symphony is the main work in this commemorative concert. Soloists and choir pay tribute in the words of the poet Walt Whitman to the seafarers of ‘all seas, all ships and all nations’ – the brave captains and intrepid sailors whom the sea unites in life, or death. Both the symphony and Britten’s Sea Interludes depict the sea’s ever-changing moods with brilliant orchestral imagery. The concert will open with the hymn ‘Eternal Father, strong to save’ in a new arrangement by Hywel Davies.

The soloists in the Sea Symphony will be the prize-winning soprano Katherine Broderick and the distinguished baritone Roderick Williams.

London Concert Choir has been a significant part of the London music scene for more than 55 years, while Canticum chamber choir is in its 26th season. Both display remarkable musical versatility and expressiveness under the leadership  of Mark Forkgen. Southbank Sinfonia is internationally recognised as a leading orchestral academy for young graduate professional musicians from across the world.

The concert is promoted by London Concert Choir on behalf of Seafarers UK, a charity that helps people in the maritime community by providing vital funding to support seafarers in need and their families. It does this by giving money to organisations and projects across the Merchant Navy, Fishing Fleets, Royal Navy and Royal Marines.  

London Concert Choir and Seafarers UK are grateful to The Royal British Legion for supporting this concert.