COMPOSER Piers Kennedy has composed new works for Sarum Tenebrae: A Service of Shadows in Salisbury Cathedral on Wednesday 1st April at 7.30pm.

This service with candles which are gradually extinguished, finishing in total darkness, is traditionally held during Holy Week.

This year the service features a commission of nine compositions by Piers Kennedy, sung by the boy choristers and Lay Vicars. Traditionally, the Tenebrae service includes readings, with choral music which is reflective of Christ’s betrayal, crucifixion, death and the sealing of his tomb. The three Nocturnes composed by Piers Kennedy journey from the anxiety of Maundy Thursday, through the suffering of Good Friday, to the quiet hope of the Easter Vigil.

Piers Kennedy says: “It was a thrill writing this commission – not only is this a choir with a long history of music-making, and Salisbury Cathedral such a glorious space, but also writing for Holy Week comes with a special brand of brooding, rippling drama.”

All are welcome – no booking required.

The Holy Week programme of music and special services begins on Saturday 28th March with a performance of Stainer’s Crucifixion, sung by the St John Songs, directed by Stephen Abbott, with organist Andrew Post, tenor Morley Beswick and bass Hugh Hetherington. No booking is required, and the performance begins at 5.30pm.

The Good Friday devotion begins at noon. Through prayer, music, silence and a series of addresses, the clergy and congregation reflect on the suffering and death of Jesus and what it means for us. This year’s Devotion explores the meaning of the cross through the music of female composers through the ages. The Liturgy of Good Friday begins at 1.30pm.

On Easter Sunday, there is the Eucharist at 5.30am and the Eucharist with the Blessing of the Easter garden at 10.30am.

Further ahead, there will be a special Easter carol service on Sunday 26th at 5pm, Alleluia! Christ is Risen. And on Saturday 9th May, Salisbury Cathedral Choir, conducted by David Halls, with period instrument ensemble Florilegium, will perform Bach’s Easter Oratorio and Ascension Oratorio.

Looking skywards to the tower – rather than the heavens – the cathedral has welcomed the return of the peregrine falcons to their lofty roost, where they will once again (hopefully) raise a brood. There are records of peregrines nesting at the cathedral since 1864. For nearly 90 years they returned every year, until the combination of pesticides and persecution nearly drove these magnificent birds to extinction.

In 2014, a mated pair of peregrines nested and fledged four chicks in a nest box build by the cathedral works yard team. Since then peregrines have nested, hatched and fledged from the tower every year except 2018 when a territorial battle between two female prevented laying. There is a YouTube livestream of the peregrines nesting.

For other news and events at the cathedral visit https://www.salisburycathedral.org.uk