CLACTON Choral is crossing the Channel for Easter, with a wonderful variety of choral, solo and instrumental pieces by French composers Gounod and Fauré.

The music, which will also include pieces from Belgian composter Franck, has a serene and simple beauty, perfect for Easter. There are moments of pure radiance, with their guest instrumentalists being used to the full, accompanying both choir and soloists, to evoke a range of emotions.

Musical director Gilli Dulieu has chosen an enticing mix of familiar pieces and new delights Franck’s Psalm 150 opens with a gentle and slow control, then the choir adds some quietly excited Hallelujahs, as the piece grows to a triumphant finish.

Franck’s Panis Angelicus is next, in a wonderful arrangement by Wolfgang Hochstein. Gounod’s 1855 St Cecilia Mass, should rank as one of the great accomplishments of Western music for its lyrical beauty, and his Ave Maria, and O Divine Redeemer will whet the appetite for his Mass in the second half of the concert. This concert also features gems by Fauré, including Cantique de Jean Racine, arranged for choir, harp and cello by local musician, Peter Kenvyn Jones. Fauré’s beautiful duet, Maria Mater Gratie, and the much-loved instrumental piece Sicilienne is followed by the famous Pie Jesu and Libera Me solos from his Requiem.

Soloists will be Meriel Barclay (harp), Melanie Woodcock (cello), Stephen Smith (organ), Laura Pooley (soprano), Daniel Joy (tenor) and Peter Grevatt (baritone).

The concert is on Saturday, April 13, in St James’ Church, Tower Road, Clacton, at 7.30pm.

Tickets are £10 from 01255 221511.