Amersham-based composer, organist and conductor Alex Flood will lead Dvorák’s Requiem next weekend, 125 years to the day since the masterpiece was composed.

The former Dr Challoner’s Grammar School pupil, who used to play the organ at St Michael’s Church, Amersham-on-the-Hill, moved back to Amersham with his young family four years ago.

He also teaches piano, organ, music theory and composition at Wycombe Abbey School.

Mr Flood said: “Requiem combines a sensitive and passionate response to the ancient words with a powerful symphonic narrative woven through the human preoccupations of fear, death, hope and transcendence.

“Anyone who knows Dvorák’s more famous compositions like the New World Symphony and the Cello Concerto, can be sure of hearing music that is heartfelt and skilfully written.

“Like me, they may wonder why such an impressive work is not better known.”

The performance, at St Albans Cathedral, Hertfordshire, takes place at 7.30pm on Saturday October 31.

Tickets, priced between £10 and £25, are available from the Cathedral box office, online www.stalbanscathedral.org/whatson/music, by telephone 01727 890290, or on the door.