Since its world première in 2000, The Armed Man has captured the imagination of music lovers everywhere, becoming one of the most frequently performed, poignant choral works of the moment. It is a work of haunting beauty, a compelling account of the descent into and terrible consequences of war, and a powerful plea for peace. The work's theme is multicultural and worldwide – affecting all humans.

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According to Rachmaninov the “love of bells is inherent in every Russian”, and his love for their sound is nowhere more evident in his musical compositions than his choral symphony, The Bells. His fascination with their differing moods took flight after reading Edgar Allan Poe’s poem of the same name, which provides the text for the work. Its four expansive movements represent the grand arch of human life, as expressed through the idea of various kinds of bells: sleigh bells, wedding bells, alarm bells, and funeral bells. This is a dramatic tour de force of vivid orchestral and choral writing, unsurprisingly one of his own favourite works.

Mahler’s vast Symphony No.2 lasts almost 90 minutes, and requires a full orchestra with extra brass, bells, a choir, two female soloists and an off-stage orchestra. It deals with death, redemption and resurrection, concluding with a wonderful choral setting of Klopstock’s Resurrection Ode. The choir begins peacefully in a very subdued mood but gradually the tempo develops more energy and leads to a magnificent climax in which choir and orchestra project Mahler’s vision of resurrection with great rapture and glory.