WORCESTER Festival Choral Society is celebrating 100 years since the birth of composer Gerald Finzi with a concert at Worcester Cathedral.

Finzi, along with contemporaries Elgar, Vaughan Williams and Parry, was part of a golden period of English music and, like them, was a regular supporter of the Three Choirs Festival, his Dies Natalis beginning his association at Hereford in 1946.

In an appreciation, printed following Finzi's death ten years later, the late Dr Herbert Sumsion, Three Choirs stalwart and organist at Gloucester Cathedral for almost 40 years, said: "To sing his music was to experience the inspiration of both poet and musician."

Dr Sumsion also recalled Finzi's comment that his heart was in the Severn Vale and, especially, the countryside around May Hill, where his ashes were scattered.

WFCS have included two of his works, For St Cecilia and Dies Natalis in the concert on Saturday, March 24, at 7.30pm. Completing the programme is Vaughan Williams's Dona Nobis Pacem.

The choir and Cathedral Choristers will be joined by the English Chamber Orchestra. The conductor is Adrian Lucas and soloists Alastair Thompson and James Mustard. Tickets range from £16.50 to £3.50, accompanied children free, from Worcester Cathedral gift shop, Worcester TIC at the Guildhall or 01905 640845.