Tuesday 26 November 2013 7.30pm Symphony Hall The Choir of King’s College, Cambridge return to Symphony Hall after last season’s sold out performance of Messiah. Holding a treasured place in the English choral tradition, under their long-serving music director Stephen Cleobury, they’re the ideal interpreters of Britten’s choral music. As the festive season draws close, Britten’s cantata Saint Nicolas is a life-affirming complement to traditional Yuletide music, and the joyous Ceremony of Carols never fails to enchant. A vibrant conclusion to our Britten centenary year. Oliver Condy, Editor of BBC Music Magazine explains why he has recommended tonight’s concert: “Britten was able to turn his composing hand brilliantly to just about any genre and he delighted in writing for communities and amateur musicians. Never more was this true than with Saint Nicolas. You may be called upon to join in, but fear not. It’s what Britten wanted!”
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Ex Cathedra. Photo by Paul Arthur.
Choir of King’s College, Cambridge. Photo by Benjamin Ealovega.
Christmas Celebration from King’s College, Cambridge
An Elizabethan Christmas Sunday 8 December 2013 4pm Town Hall
Choir of King’s College, Cambridge Britten Sinfonia Stephen Cleobury conductor Andrew Kennedy tenor Lucy Wakeford harp Britten A Ceremony of Carols 23’ Arvo Pärt Cantus in Memory of Benjamin Britten 8’ Britten Saint Nicolas 50’ £9.50– £40 SH Standard Orchestral Plan Choir not available.
Yuletide in the Elizabethan era was a time of profound spirituality as well as celebration – and composers such as Byrd, Gibbons and Tallis composed some of the most timeless sacred music ever created in these islands. This revelatory programme from Birmingham’s acclaimed chamber choir explores the grandeur, the emotion and the deep beauty that lay at the heart of Christmas festivities at the court of Elizabeth I. Ex Cathedra Consort Fretwork viol consort Jeffrey Skidmore director
Programme includes: Byrd Mass for Four Voices 22’ The Great Service (Magnificat and Nunc dimittis) 15’ Gibbons This is the record of John 5’ See, see the Word is incarnate 7’ Tallis Videte miraculum 11’ £9.50 – £35 TH Classical Plan Choir Benches not available. Ex Cathedra is a Town Hall Associate Artist. This concert has a running time of c 2 hours. Please note this concert also forms part of Ex Cathedra’s season, and can be booked under each organisation’s concert packages. Other discounts may vary; please check when booking.
Part of A Boy Was Born, celebrating the Britten Anniversary in Birmingham. EDITOR’S CHOICE
Box office 0121 345 0601 or visit www.thsh.co.uk/bics-2013-14
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