Richard Cooke conducts the Royal Choral Society and the Academy of St Martin in the Fields with two outstanding soloists: Verity Wingate, soprano, and Jerome Knox, baritone.

'Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.' With this opening line, Brahms moves away from the traditional Catholic funeral mass, using his own selected German text to bring solace to the living.

Choruses of great melodic beauty and telling splendour combine with moving solo passages for soprano and baritone. One of the greatest and most-loved works of the choral repertoire, with inspired and uplifting music that reminds us that even in the most troubled of times, there is hope, and even joy.

Mendelssohn's Hebrides Overture, an elegant portrait of Scotland's rugged beauty and Hear My Prayer, his anthem for soprano and chorus, famous for its sweetly serene melody, O for the Wings of a Dove, complete the programme.