Jonathan Byrd to perform Exaltation of the Holy Cross at Farm Street Church

The classical guitarist and composerJonathan Byrd will be be performing at Farm Street Church in Mayfair this Saturday, 13 September. Jonathan is also providing music for the preceding Vigil Mass at 6pm.

Jonathan Byrd is known for his sacred works for guitar. His works have been featured in many churches both as part of liturgical services and as stand-alone recitals. He calls them 'Sacred Recitals' They can be used as an aid to prayer or simply enjoyed as musical performance.

Also referring to them musical prayers, articulated by the guitar, Jonathan references the traditions of the true home of the guitar - Spain - to achieve a suitable voice.

For Holy Week this year, at The Rosary Shrine in Hampstead, Jonathan presented The Passion For Guitar - an ambitious and successful translation of Bach's entire St John Passion into one solitary guitar.

Also in Holy Week he performed his own Stabat Mater at Farm St Church. This was well received and he was offered another date. Being highly inspired by the power and symbolism of the Cross, he chose The Exaltation of the Holy Cross, and named it Exaltatio Crucis.

The guitar is an intimate instrument and the quietest in the classical world "So how can we use it for exaltation?" Jonathan asks. "Again, we have to refer to Spain where the guitar, in the right hands, cries out in prayer!"