The Choir - 21/02/2010

WH Auden's rich contribution to classical music is justly famous. Yet - Britten's "Hymn to St Cecilia" aside - the rich array of choral music inspired by his work is relatively little-known. Tonight, Aled Jones introduces settings of Auden, including Britten's famous tribute to music's patron saint, and recent American works by Carson Cooman and Richard Wilson. Plus, we'll hear a brilliant, irreverent lumberjack song - written some thirty years before Python. Later this week, BBC Radio 3's Choral Evensong marks the 100th birthday of the great British choirmaster Stanley Vann. In advance of this special service, Aled introduces part of one of Vann's most famous recordings, Stainer's "The Crucifixion", and an exclusive extract from a new disc of Vann's own compositions. Finally, Aled reveals the results of the BBC's "Choral Ambition" scheme - an initiative helping amateur choirs nationwide to fund new projects and commission new works.