33rd Christmas Festival

ST JOHN’S SMITH SQUARE

33 rd CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL 8–23 December 2018

Artistic Director Stephen Layton

Patron HRH The Duchess of Cornwall

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Welcome to the 33rd Christmas Festival at St John’s Smith Square ——

Stephen Layton © Keith Saunders

33rd CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL ——

Now in its 33rd season, the Christmas Festival has flourished into a series of 15 concerts.

Our Festival opens with the City of London Choir’s Carols by Candlelight with plenty of heart-warming festive tunes and audience participation, making it a perfect occasion for adults and children alike.

The great British choral tradition continues to influence the programming of our Christmas Festival. This season we welcome back a number of our favourite choirs: The Choir of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford; the Choir of Clare College, Cambridge exploring the depths of winter; The Tallis Scholars with two grand Magnificats; and Ex Cathedra for another atmospheric candle-lit concert.

We look forward to the excitement that comes hand-in-hand with the National Youth Music Theatre’s annual Christmas celebration, and we hope to welcome children and families to Bampton Classical Opera’s Amahl and the Night Visitors in their Festival debut.

New to St John’s Smith Square this year with a feast of Baroque Christmas repertoire are Ensemble Les Surprises, a dynamic group of singers and instrumentalists specialising in the performance of 17th and 18th century music, under the expert direction of Louis-Noël Bestion de Camboulas. We are also delighted to welcome back the renowned Brabant Ensemble, bringing to the Festival a focus on Jesus’ Mother; and The English Concert give their Christmas Festival debut with seasonal works by Gabrieli, Gallus and Bach.

We extend a warm welcome to the internationally renowned Choir of New College Oxford, who present an eclectic programme journeying through Advent; the London Choral Sinfonia whose festive programme features the best of the British Isles; and previous St John’s Smith Square Young Artists, The Gesualdo Six, with a diverse programme across many centuries exploring the mystery and joy of the Christmas story.

Handel’s Messiah with Polyphony has become part of a much-anticipated annual tradition. The Choir of Trinity College Cambridge also return with Bach’s Christmas Oratorio. We are delighted too that the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment will join us again for both performances, alongside a wonderful cast of soloists.

I hope to welcome you this festive season!

Stephen Layton Artistic Director

JOIN THE CONVERSATION! #SJSSChristmas @StJohnsSmithSq /StJohnsSmithSquare /StJohnsSmithSquare /StJohnsSmithSquare /StJohnsSmithSquare Book online sjss.org.uk

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33rd CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL ——

City of London Choir © Filskifoto

CHOIR OF CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL, OXFORD The Choir of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford Makoto James piano/organ Steven Grahl conductor

Please note the early start time of 6.30pm.

Trad. arr. Carter I wonder as I wander Palestrina Canite tuba • Magnificat primi toni Jonathan Rathbone There is no rose of such virtue Bach Herr Christ, der ein’ge Gottes-Sohn BWV601 • Der Tag, der ist so freudenreich BWV605 • Vom Himmel hoch, da komm’ ich her BWV606 • In dulci jubilo BWV608 • Jesu, meine Freude BWV610 Howells A spotless Rose Bach John Rutter There is a flower Parsons Ave Maria Giles Swayne Magnificat Poulenc O magnum mysterium • Quem vidistis • Videntes stellam • Hodie, Christus natus est Head The little road to Bethlehem Anderson arr. Thomas Trotter Sleigh Ride Francis Grier Alleluia, I bring you news of great joy Trad. arr. John Rutter The Twelve Days of Christmas

cityoflondonchoir.org

chchchoir.org

Promoted by City of London Choir

Promoted by Choir of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford

Sat 8 December 6.30pm £32, £27, £22, £15 (20% off ) Children under 16 50% off

Mon 10 December 7.30pm £25, £20, £15, £10

CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT City of London Choir Royal Philharmonic Brass Hilary Davan Wetton conductor Carols and seasonal music by Vaughan Williams, Tavener, Cecilia MacDowell, Willcocks, John Rutter and many more Don’t miss this “carol concert with bells on” (in the words of the Guardian), featuring classic carols, new favourites and plenty of audience participation; this is an annual highlight of the year for adults and children alike (recommended minimum age 6 years).

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CHOIR OF CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL, OXFORD ——

“This is singing of the richest splendour…”

—— Early Music Today

Choir of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford

Book online sjss.org.uk

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33rd CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL

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THE BRABANT ENSEMBLE Mater Inviolata: European Music for the Christ-Child and His Mother Stephen Rice director Lassus Alma redemptoris mater a 6 Josquin Ave Maria...virgo serena A. de Févin Missa Ave Maria: Kyrie & Gloria Crecquillon Verbum caro factum est Vaet Pastores, quidnam vidistis? • Reges terrae la Rue Magnificat sexti toni • Missa Nuncqua fue pena mayor: Sanctus • Missa Inviolata: Agnus Dei Clemens non Papa Angelus Domini ad pastores a 5 • Ab oriente venerunt magi Mouton Nesciens mater The Brabant Ensemble presents a programme in celebration of the Christmas season and focussing on the figure of Mary, Jesus’s Mother. The programme offers a variety of works by Franco-Flemish masters from Josquin Desprez to Orlandus Lassus, and features Josquin’s great contemporary Pierre de la Rue in the quincentenary year of his death. The ensemble also performs Christmas motets by the great figures of the mid-century, Clemens non Papa and Crecquillon, and the programme ends with Jean Mouton’s famous eight-voice Nesciens mater.

THE ENGLISH CONCERT Il Santissimo Natale Choir of The English Concert Cecilia Osmond soprano Rebecca Outram soprano Helen Charlston alto Nick Pritchard tenor Marcus Farnsworth baritone Laurence Cummings director Scarlatti Missa per il Santíssimo Natale Gabrieli O magnum mysterium Gallus Omnes Saba Bach Cantata ‘Selig ist der Mann’ BWV57 • Cantata ‘Ich feue mich in dir’ BWV133 Famed for his operatic writing, Alessandro Scarlatti’s liturgical music has been shamefully overlooked. His skilful crafting of the Messa per il Santíssimo Natale, with double choirs and such variety of colour and texture, is enough to leave us searching the archives for even more treasures.

brabantensemble.com

englishconcert.co.uk

Promoted by Brabant Ensemble

Promoted by The English Concert

Tue 11 December 7.30pm £30, £24, £18, £10

Wed 12 December 7.30pm £35, £28, £22, £14

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THE GESUALDO SIX There is no rose Owain Park director

Ex Cathedra © Roger Cable

EX CATHEDRA Christmas Music by Candlelight Rupert Jeffcoat organ Jeffrey Skidmore conductor Sung by candlelight, Ex Cathedra’s atmospheric Christmas concerts are aimed at the heart of the season and have become a very popular festival tradition. A seamless stream of music from best-loved favourites to hidden gems and stunning new works are complemented by a selection of readings, which together capture the meaning – and humour – of Christmas.

“Atmosphere, imagination, anticipation, soft candlelight plus inspired music ... the true magic of Christmas” – Birmingham Post

Trad. arr. Lawson Veni, veni, Emmanuel Anon. (Plainchant) Rorate Caeli • Laetentur caeli Praetorius Nun Komm, der Heiden Heiland à 6 Harvey The Annunciation Trad. German harm. Praetorius Es Ist ein’ Ros’ Entsprungen Owain Park On the Infancy of our Saviour Tallis Videte Miraculum Cheryl Frances-Hoad The Promised Light of Life Byrd Vigilate Trad. arr. Brian Kay Gaudete Taverner Audivi vocem de caelo Arvo Pärt Morning Star Anon. There is no rose Trad. Coventry Carol Handl Canite tuba Gabrieli Hodie Christus natus est Praetorius arr. Bach In dulci jubilo Jonathan Rathbone The Oxen Composers have long been inspired by the time of Advent, with its wonder, reflection, and deep quiet. On their return to the Christmas Festival, The Gesualdo Six and Owain Park present a diverse selection of music, reaching across the ages. Centuriesold carols and the eternal beauty of the Tudor church combine with atmospheric contemporary works, each piece carefully chosen to evoke a sense of mystery and joy: the true meaning of Christmas.

excathedra.co.uk

thegesualdosix.co.uk

Promoted by Ex Cathedra

Co-promoted by The Gesualdo Six & St John’s Smith Square

Thu 13 December 7.30pm £35, £28, £22, £14

Fri 14 December 7.30pm £25, £20, £15, £10, YF

Book online sjss.org.uk

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NATIONAL YOUTH MUSIC THEATRE ——

“It is difficult to imagine that the National Youth Music Theatre has ever been on better form.”

—— British Theatre Guide

National Youth Music Theatre

33rd CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL ——

NATIONAL YOUTH MUSIC THEATRE A Christmas Celebration National Youth Music Theatre Chorus, Alumni, and Orchestra A seasonal selection of readings, music and staged extracts Established in 1976, the National Youth Music Theatre’s productions – including some 50 new commissions – have been seen throughout the UK and abroad, winning numerous accolades and awards. The National Youth Music Theatre represents the very best in work with young people through musical theatre, leading Andrew Lloyd Webber to dub it “the best youth music theatre in the world”.

“It is difficult to imagine that the National Youth Music Theatre has ever been on better form.” – British Theatre Guide

AMAHL & THE NIGHT VISITORS Americana ‘18 Bampton Classical Opera Emma Stannard mezzo soprano (winner of bampton classical opera young singers’ competition 2017) Anthony Kraus conductor Jeremy Gray director Menotti Amahl and the Night Visitors Bampton Classical Opera, whose discoveries of rare 18th century opera have been a regular feature at St John’s Smith Square over many years, now brings this memorable 20th century classic to the Christmas Festival in a new semi-staged production. A crippled child; mysterious visitors; dancing shepherds; and a miracle.

nymt.org.uk

bamptonopera.org

Promoted by National Youth Music Theatre

Promoted by Bampton Classical Opera

Sat 15 December 7.30pm £30, £25, £20, £15

Sun 16 December 3.00pm £25 (£6 children under 11)

Book online sjss.org.uk

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33rd CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL ——

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Choir of New College Oxford Timothy Wakerell organ Charles Maxtone-Smith organ Robert Quinney conductor

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Plainchant Conditor alme siderum Marlow Advent Responsory Byrd Rorate caeli desuper Daquin Noël VI ‘sur les Jeux d’anches et en duo’ • Noël X ‘en Grand Jeu et en duo’ • Noël Suisse Trad. Basque Gabriel’s Message Victoria O magnum mysterium Praetorius Es Ist ein’ Ros’ Entsprungen • Quem pastores laudavere à 11 Howells A spotless rose • Sing lullaby Parsons Ave Maria Toby Young The swete roose HK Andrews Before Dawn Gardner A Gallery Carol • Tomorrow shall be my dancing day • The holly and the ivy Trad. arr. Willcocks Of the Father’s heart begotten Harm. Wood Ding dong! Merrily on high

ENSEMBLE LES SURPRISES Baroque Christmas around the world Eugénie Lefebvre soprano Laura Duthuillé oboe & flute Gabriel Ferry violin Juliette Guignard viola da gamba Etienne Galletier theorbo & guitar Louis-Noël Bestion de Camboulas organ/ harpsichord & director Noëls, Motets and Sonatas by Charpentier, Delalande, Campra, Corrette, Amiot, Pedrini, Marin, Sanz, Araujo and Torrejon y Velasco.

Join New College Choir for an inspiring journey from Advent to Christmas, featuring traditional seasonal melodies and more recent favourites. Their programme encompasses music of several centuries and traditions, including glorious Renaissance polyphony.

Join Ensemble Les Surprises on a journey around the world in the castles and churches of the baroque period, where baroque music and the musicians themselves travelled far beyond the borders of old Europe and ventured across the world in the courts of local rulers or in religious congregations.

newcollegechoir.com

les-surprises.fr

Promoted by Choir of New College Oxford

Co-promoted by Les Surprises & St John’s Smith Square

Mon 17 December 7.30pm £25, £20, £15, £10

Tue 18 December 7.30pm £25, £20, £15, £10

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London Choral Sinfonia

LONDON CHORAL SINFONIA Christmas Fantasia Michael Waldron conductor Holst Christmas Day Rowley Christmas Suite for Orchestra Elgar Three Carols Warlock Benedicamus Domino • Corpus Christi Carol • Balulalow • As I sat under a sycamore tree Fletcher arr. Owain Park Ring Out Wild Bells Jonathan Rathbone Two Carols Trad arr. West Silent Night Darke In the Bleak Midwinter Vaughan Williams Fantasia on Christmas Carols Adam arr. Pappenheim O Holy Night Juliette Guignard © C. Grelie

Let the London Choral Sinfonia entertain you with a concert of joyful music for the festive season by the best composers the British Isles have to offer. Everyone is sure to find something to enjoy!

Pre-Concert Recital: 6.30pm thelcs.org Promoted by London Choral Sinfonia

Wed 19 December 7.30pm £35, £25, £15, £10 Louis-Nöel Bestion de Camboulas © B. Pichène

Book online sjss.org.uk

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33rd CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL ——

WINTER’S NIGHT Choir of Clare College, Cambridge Graham Ross conductor Anon. Medieval Qui creavit celum (The Song of the Nuns of Chester) Morales O magnum mysterium Trad. English There is no rose of swych vertu Praetorius arr. Vulpius Es Ist ein’ Ros’ Entsprungen Howells A spotless rose Ned Rorem Canticle of the Lamb Trad. French Entre le boeuf et l’ane gris Jonathan Rathbone The Oxen Trad. arr. Vaughan Williams O little town of Bethlehem Trad. Basque arr. Jim Clements Gabriel’s Message Tavener Nowell! Nowell! Out of your sleep Trad. English Past 3 O’Clock Judith Weir Illuminare, Jerusalem Trad. English arr. Stuart Nicholson Ding dong! Merrily on high Anon. Medieval attrib. Alcock Nowell!

Nowell! Out of your sleep Parry Welcome Yule!

Cheryl Frances-Hoad Good Day, Sir Christemas!

John Harbison O magnum mysterium Sally Beamish In the stillness

Barber Twelfth Night John Rutter Dormi, Jesu Roxanna Panufnik Sleep, little Jesus, sleep Alexander L’Estrange Lute-book lullaby Goss arr. Willcocks See amid the winter’s snow Trad. Austrian arr. Graham Ross Still, still, still Holst arr. Ola Gjeilo In the bleak midwinter Berlin arr. Jeremy Davies White Christmas Pierpoint arr. Ben Parry Jingle Bells The Choir of Clare College, Cambridge and conductor Graham Ross return to St John’s Smith Square with a spectacular festive programme exploring the depths of winter warmed by the hope and joy of the Christmas story. Works old and new sit alongside one another; from Medieval chant and muchloved traditional carols to stunning new arrangements, this programme is guaranteed to make a perfect start to Christmas. clarecollegechoir.com Promoted by Choir of Clare College, Cambridge

Thu 20 December 7.30pm £38, £28, £15, £10

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The Choir of Clare College, Cambridge © Nick Rutter

CHOIR OF CLARE COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE ——

“Exemplary choral clarity ... starred firsts all round..”

—— The Times

THE TALLIS SCHOLARS ——

“The sound coming from The Tallis Scholars almost surpassed the humanly possible.”

—— The Telegraph

The Tallis Scholars © Nick Rutter

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33rd CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL ——

The Choir of Trinity College Cambridge © Benjamin Ealovega

CHRISTMAS ORATORIO THE TALLIS SCHOLARS Peter Phillips director H Praetorius Magnificat V Byrd Nunc dimittis • Tribue domine • Laudibus in sanctis • Laetentur caeli Arvo Pärt Virgencita John Rutter Hymn to the Creator of Light Victoria Magnificat for double choir This seasonal programme is book-ended by two grand settings of the Magnificat for double choir. The remainder of the programme takes a more mystical view of God and Creation, something which is emphasised in Rutter’s Hymn with its magical quotation of the chorale melody ‘Schmücke dich’. The three items by Byrd follow this line of thought. And we end with Victoria’s glorious 8-voice Magnificat, one of his most extrovert and engaging statements of faith.

The Choir of Trinity College Cambridge Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment Katherine Watson soprano Helen Charlston mezzo soprano Gwilym Bowen tenor Matthew Brook bass Stephen Layton conductor Bach Christmas Oratorio Parts 1, 2, 3 & 6 The Choir of Trinity College Cambridge has established itself as one of the leading mixed-voice choirs in the world. In addition to singing the liturgy in the College Chapel, the Choir enjoys a programme of high-profile performances and recordings, international tours and regular broadcasts.

After the sell-out success of its recent Christmas Festival performances, the Choir again joins forces with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment for Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, Parts 1, 2, 3, 6. Stephen Layton conducts and they are joined by four outstanding soloists.

thetallisscholars.co.uk

trinitycollegechoir.com

Promoted by Hazard Chase

Promoted by The Choir of Trinity College Cambridge

Fri 21 December 7.30pm £35, £28, £22, £14

Sat 22 December 7.30pm £39, £32, £24, £15

Book online sjss.org.uk

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33rd CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL ——

HANDEL MESSIAH Polyphony Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment Katherine Watson soprano Helen Charlston mezzo soprano Gwilym Bowen tenor Matthew Brook bass Stephen Layton conductor

Katherine Watson © Yags Murayenko

Handel Messiah Stephen Layton again returns for the “now-legendary performance” of Messiah by Polyphony and Stephen Layton at St John’s Smith Square with the “radiant young voices” of Polyphony and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment’s “zestful strings” and “keen trumpets”, with another “clutch of alluring soloists” this time including rising stars Katherine Watson and Helen Charlston alongside tenor Gwilym Bowen “a seraphic herald of good tidings: looking with golden curls like a Botticelli angel, his exquisitely gentle ‘Comfort ye’ (hanging) in the air like a beam of light” and bass Matthew Brook.

Expect “seething vitality... piquant dissonance...brilliant detail” in “this smallscale yet vivid performance” – and “each re-telling brings not only consolidation of excellence but revelatory insights.” (quotes from Melanie Eskanazi at Musicomh.com and Helen Wallace at classical-music.com).

Helen Charlston

Gwilym Bowen © Minjaš Žugić

stephenlayton.com/polyphony Promoted by Associated Musical Services Ltd

Sun 23 December 7.30pm £65, £55, £40, £25 Matthew Brook © Richard Shymansky

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POLYPHONY ——

“Layton harnesses the dramatic thrust of the Passion while also conveying its sacred, spiritual substance.”

—— The Telegraph

Polyphony © Benjamin Ealovega

BOOKING INFORMATION —— PHONE 020 7222 1061 Monday to Friday 10.00am – 5.00pm £2.75 booking fee applies ONLINE sjss.org.uk £1.75 booking fee applies IN PERSON Monday to Friday 10.00am – 5.00pm (until 6.00pm on public concert days).

The Box Office opens one hour before the start of Sunday and Bank Holiday concerts.

POST Box Office, St John’s Smith Square, London SW1P 3HA Please enclose a stamped addressed envelope. Cheques should be made payable to St John’s Smith Square.

CONCESSIONS AND REDUCTIONS Concession prices are indicated in parentheses. These tickets are available for many of our concerts to senior citizens, full-time students, registered unemployed, school children (under 16) and people who are registered disabled.

Westminster CitySave card holders are entitled to a 10% discount on a pair of tickets for any public concert.

Parties of ten or more qualify for a 10% discount.

YOUNG FRIENDS SCHEME (UNDER 30S) • £5 tickets to concerts marked ‘YF’ such as Thursday Lunchtime Concerts • Exclusive targeted discounts Sign up for FREE: sjss.org.uk/young-friends

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ACCESSIBILITY If you have access requirements, please inform our Box Office staff when booking your tickets to help us provide you with the best possible service and choice of seats.

We allocate an additional seat free of charge to disabled patrons who require a carer to accompany them.

Please Note We may need to substitute artists and to vary our concert programmes from the published information without warning.

Latecomers are admitted only at a suitable pause in the concert, as advised by the concert promoter.

Please note that tickets may not be refunded but may be exchanged up to 48 hours before the performance, which will incur a £2 administration fee per ticket.

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YOUR VISIT —— St John’s Smith Square is just off Millbank between Westminster and Lambeth Bridges, close to the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey, and a short walk from Westminster tube station.

TUBE Westminster, St James’s Park & Victoria

CAR PARKING St John’s Smith Square is within the congestion charging zone. Parking meters are in operation during the day Monday–Friday until 6.30pm. In the evenings and at weekends there are usually ample spaces locally. There is Westminster City Council car parking on Great College Street and Arneway Street.

BUS 3 and 87 to Horseferry Road C10 and 507 (limited hours) to Millbank 88 to Horseferry Road 11, 211, 148 and 24 to Westminster Abbey SANTANDER CYCLES A docking station is located in Smith Square and there are also stations on Horseferry Road, Page Street and Great College Street.

St James’s Park

RAIL Victoria, Waterloo, Vauxhall & Charing Cross

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33rd CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL ——

Now in its 33rd season, St John’s Smith Square’s Christmas Festival has flourished into a series of fifteen concerts.

Inspired by the great British choral tradition, this year’s programme features some of the UK’s most exceptional choirs, ensembles and solo musicians.

Join us for a fortnight of festive music!

PLEASE STAY IN TOUCH WITH US ONLINE #SJSSChristmas @StJohnsSmithSq /StJohnsSmithSquare /StJohnsSmithSquare /StJohnsSmithSquare /StJohnsSmithSquare

Box Office 020 7222 1061 sjss.org.uk

Registered in England Company No. 3028678 Registered Charity No. 1045390

Editor: GetStudio

St John’s Smith Square Charitable Trust Registered Office: St John’s Smith Square London SW1P 3HA