Early Vaughan Williams work to be performed for first time (UK)

"The score of what is now being called A Cambridge Mass was written by Vaughan Williams for his doctoral examination and has never been heard. It had been in the safe-keeping of Cambridge University Library for more than 100 years, but was only identified as an unperformed example of the famous composer's early work when it was put on display to the public as part of a wider exhibition. A Cambridge Mass - written for soloists, double chorus and orchestra - will be performed in full for the first time at Fairfield Hall, Croydon, on 3 March 2011. The concert will be conducted by Alan Tongue, who has been responsible for bringing the early Vaughan Williams work into the limelight. The original score for the work, which Vaughan Williams wrote when he was 26, was deposited in the Library's Manuscripts Room. It was written by the composer in 1899 for his Doctor of Music examination at Cambridge University and has pencil markings made by the examiners. The work lasts about 45 minutes, and is for concert hall performance rather than liturgical use"