Early music - The Sixteen - The Choral Pilgrimage

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The Sixteen is recognised as one of the world’s greatest ensembles. Comprising both choir and period-instrument orchestra, The Sixteen’s total commitment to the music it performs is its greatest distinction. A special reputation for performing early English polyphony and masterpieces of the Renaissance, bringing fresh insights into Baroque and early Classical music and a diversity of 20th- and 21st-century music, is drawn from the passions of Founder and Conductor Harry Christophers CBE.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mHi_Jvuf2g

Performers

The Sixteen
Harry Christophers conductor

Programme

Poulenc: Salve Regina
Palestrina: ‘Surge amica mea’ and ‘Surgam et circuibo civitatem’ from Song of Songs
Palestrina: Parce mihi, Domine
Poulenc: Quatre motets pour un temps de penitence
Palestrina: Peccantem me quotidie
Palestrina: ‘Kyrie’, ‘Gloria’ and ‘Credo’ from Missa L’Homme Arme
Poulenc: Un Soir de neige
Palestrina: Salve Regina
Poulenc: ‘Agnus Dei’ from Mass in G

Our 17th Choral Pilgrimage tour contrasts the music of the ‘Prince of polyphony’ Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina with the great 20th-century melodist Francis Poulenc.

‘For the Choral Pilgrimage 2017, I will be exploring the legacy of two composers, whose work, for me, represents the very pinnacle of sacred music – Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina and Francis Poulenc. Both honest composers, they never try to appear other than they are. Palestrina is the master craftsman whose work composers from all ages have attempted to emulate, while Poulenc’s music always bears a human face and he himself felt he put his best and most authentic side into his choral writing.’ Harry Christophers

Based around the themes of conflict and atonement, Palestrina’s mass centring on the famous L’Homme Armé tune was immensely popular in the 16th century and its warlike nature serves as a timely reminder of the savagery of conflict, something which deeply affected Poulenc. Poulenc’s Un soir de neige, composed in December 1944, reflects both the inner feeling of peace generated by Christmas and the bleak solitude of another winter of occupation in France.

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Tickets costs between £10 and £25. I think the £10 tickets are not worth buying. I've bought a ticket for £15.

Tickets The Sixteen (https://tickets.ncem.co.uk/en-GB/events/the%20choral%20pilgrimage%202017-%20the%20olive%20branch/2017-9-6_19.30/st%20james)

Do join me at a nearby pub after the concert.

See you there :-)