MUSIC DIRECTOR MATTHEW OWENS
Season 2024
...to the musical groves and the cool shady fountain...
A warm welcome to the Ulster Consort’s 2024 season Please scan here to join our Friends
Patron Dame Fionnuala Jay-O’Boyle DBE DStJ Lord Lieutenant of the County Borough of Belfast Vice Patron Bob Chilcott It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to the Ulster Consort’s second full season of concerts and recitals. Following the success of Season 2023, we have created another diverse and exciting programme of choral, solo vocal, chamber, and instrumental music for you to enjoy. We journey from the glories of Renaissance polyphony to the drama of Baroque oratorio (with period instruments), and from the sensuous sounds of the Romantic era right through to cutting edge contemporary music from some of Europe’s finest living composers. Anniversaries provide a focus in 2024: we celebrate some important composer birthdays (Bruckner at 200, Holst at 150, and John Rutter in his eightieth year). We also commemorate the 100th anniversary of the death of two composers, Stanford and Fauré. Lastly, on March 16, we celebrate the 300th anniversary of the first performance of Bach’s St John Passion. Northern Ireland audiences will have the opportunity to hear this glorious and important work with small forces and the unique sound of historical instruments.
The Ulster Consort is a flexible group that can range from just a few performers to a group of 40 or more musicians. There will almost always be a choral element to our programmes, but the Consort is not a ‘choir’ in the traditional sense of the word, so you will often see new faces and performers depending on the forces required for the music that we are presenting. We are delighted to be performing this season in Armagh, Ballymena, Enniskillen, Holywood, and Londonderry/Derry for the first time, as well as in our home city of Belfast. We are also looking forward to returning to Newcastle. Most of the concerts are part of our ’60 minutes at 6’ initiative, which allows attendees to both come to a concert and go out for dinner afterwards, which has proved to be an attractive proposition for many. The Ulster Consort and I are greatly looking forward to sharing these performances with you and hope that you will be inspired to join us on our musical journey.
Matthew Owens, Music Director
Photo by Jonny Clyde
O great mystery
Thursday 18 January, 6pm – 7pm St Bernadette’s Parish Church, Rosetta, Belfast BT6 0LU Friday 19 January, 7pm – 8pm St Columb’s Cathedral, Londonderry/Derry, BT48 6RQ
MUSIC FOR CHRISTMAS AND EPIPHANY 4’
Victoria
O magnum mysterium
Victoria
Missa ‘O magnum mysterium’ 22’
Eric Whitacre
Lux aurumque
4’
Tavener
The Lamb
4’
Matthew Owens
Videntes stellam (world première)
3’
T.S. Eliot
Journey of the Magi (poem)
3’
Howard Skempton It was a star
3’
Warlock
Bethlehem Down
6’
Morten Lauridsen
O magnum mysterium
7’
THE ULSTER CONSORT MATTHEW OWENS conductor
Please note the starting time of the concert on Friday 19
Tickets: £15 (under 18s free) available in advance via eventbrite.co.uk, and on the evening at the door
A programme of contrasts taking us from post-Christmas into the season of Epiphany when the Magi visited the new-born King. The music of leading Spanish Renaissance composer, Tomás Luis de Victoria, illustrates this ‘great mystery’ through his motet O magnum mysterium and the mass on which it is based. These works are interspersed with more recent reflections on this special time by twentieth century and contemporary British and American composers. At the centre of the programme is a reading of T.S. Eliot’s Journey of the Magi. Photo: istockphoto.com
The touches of sweet harmony
Thursday 22 February, 7.30pm – 9.15pm Ardhowen Theatre, Enniskillen BT74 6FZ Tickets: £15 (£5 for under 25s) available in advance via ardhowen.com (or by telephoning 028 66325440) and on the evening at the door
SONGS, MADRIGALS, AND A SERENADE Vaughan Williams Serenade to Music
14’
Simon Beattie
New work (world première)
4’
Stanford
The Bluebird
3’
John Rutter
Birthday Madrigals
16’
John Rutter
Five Childhood Lyrics
10’
Bob Chilcott
An Irish Blessing
3’
Charles Wood
Music, when soft voices die
3’
Vaughan Williams Five Mystical Songs
THE ULSTER CONSORT MALACHY FRAME baritone TRISTAN RUSSCHER piano
20’
For the Ulster Consort’s first visit to County Fermanagh, the group presents a programme of Irish and British music from the end of the nineteenth century through to the present day. Works by Simon Beattie, John Rutter, and Stanford are framed by two of Vaughan Williams’s finest choral works: the sublime Serenade to Music and the Five Mystical Songs. The former sets words of William Shakespeare, and the latter uses texts by the Welsh-born metaphysical poet, George Herbert. The Consort is also delighted to perform a work by its new Vice Patron, the much-loved composer, Bob Chilcott.
MATTHEW OWENS conductor This concert is promoted by Music in Fermanagh, supported by Fermanagh & Omagh District Council Photo: istockphoto.com
Bach St John Passion
Saturday 16 March, 7.30pm – 9.45pm Holywood Parish Church, Holywood BT18 9BX
CELEBRATING THE 300TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIRST PERFORMANCE
Bach’s first passion setting, the St John, was first performed in Leipzig on Good Friday in 1724. The Ulster Consort celebrates this significant anniversary with an historically informed performance and small forces. The work is led by the Evangelist and Christus, with step out solos from the Consort, and a four-part choir. They are accompanied by a band of some of the leading period instrumentalists in Europe, consisting of baroque strings, flutes, oboes (doubling on oboe da caccia), viola d’amore, viola da gamba, harpsichord, and organ. This rich vocal and orchestral palette is put to full use in a fusion of Lutheran liturgy, theatrical choruses, operatic arias, and meditative hymns (or chorales) in one of the most powerful, dramatic, and moving creations of the early 18th century.
J.S. Bach
St John Passion, BWV 245
115’
THE ULSTER CONSORT AND PLAYERS (on period instruments) JEREMY BUDD evangelist WILLIAM GAUNT christus MATTHEW OWENS conductor
This concert is presented in partnership with the Creative Holywood Festival
Tickets: £10 (under 18s), £20, £30, £40, available in advance via eventbrite.co.uk, and on the evening at the door
Photo: istockphoto.com
Sing a song of sixpence
Friday 19 April, 6pm – 7pm Fisherwick Presbyterian Church, Belfast BT9 5DJ Tickets: £15 (under 18s free) available in advance via eventbrite.co.uk, and on the evening at the door
THE MUSIC OF JOHN RUTTER Give me wings
4’
Five Childhood Lyrics
10’
Suite Antique
18’
A flower remembered
4’
Birthday Madrigals
16’
THE ULSTER CONSORT JENNIFER STURGEON flute TRISTAN RUSSCHER piano MATTHEW OWENS conductor
A programme to celebrate the music of much-loved composer, John Rutter, ahead of his 80th birthday next year. Rutter is best known for his Christmas carols and other sacred music but there is an abundance of other gems, including the playful Five Childhood Lyrics and the Birthday Madrigals. The latter was written in 1995 to celebrate the 75th birthday of the great jazz pianist George Shearing, a personal friend of the composer. The texts of the poems are from the era of the Elizabethan madrigal, including two by Shakespeare. The music itself is influenced by jazz but is fundamentally derived from the tradition of the English madrigal and its descendant, the part-song. The concert includes a performance of Rutter’s Suite Antique with renowned flautist, Jennifer Sturgeon.
Photo: istockphoto.com
Thursday 9 May, 6pm – 7pm St Peter’s Cathedral, Belfast BT12 4BU
Ascension
Tickets: £15 (under 18s free) available in advance via eventbrite.co.uk, and on the evening at the door
FROM EARTH TO HEAVEN 25’
Messiaen
L’Ascension
Messiaen
Monodie
3’
Messiaen
Apparition de l’église éternelle
10’
Simon Beattie
Missa Sanctae Annae
9’
Simon Beattie
Credo (world première)
3’
Simon Beattie
O sacrum convivium (world première)
3’
THE ULSTER CONSORT ALI DARRAGH narrator MATTHEW OWENS solo organ/conductor
Ascension Day falls 40 days after Easter and is regarded as one of the key feasts of the church’s year. As such, there is a plethora of wonderful music associated with it, not least Olivier Messiaen’s monumental L’Ascension – a suite of four symphonic meditations for organ, written in 1933 (originally for orchestra). The work reflects the composer’s explorations of bird song, Hindu rhythms, and plainsong. Also featured in this concert are two works by the contemporary composer, Simon Beattie, including the world premieres of his Credo (within the Missa Sanctae Annae) and his motet, O sacrum convivium.
Photo: istockphoto.com
Saturday 22 June, 6pm – 7pm
Dido and Aeneas
The Great Hall, Stormont Parliament Buildings, Belfast BT4 3XX Tickets: £15 (under 18s free) available in advance via eventbrite.co.uk, and on the evening at the door
A TALE OF LOVE AND TRAGEDY Purcell
Dido and Aeneas
THE ULSTER CONSORT AND PLAYERS (on period instruments) LYNDA BARRETT dido SUSAN SHEPHERD belinda JENNY BOURKE sorceress MALACHY FRAME aeneas MATTHEW OWENS director
55’
Henry Purcell (Organist of Westminster Abbey from 1679-95), was one of Europe’s foremost composers, whose life was cut short at just 36 years of age. He was a prolific composer and left behind a very considerable body of work. In this concert performance of Purcell’s tragic opera, Nahum Tate’s libretto tells the story of Dido, Queen of Carthage, and her ill-fated encounter with Aeneas, the Trojan Prince. The drama concludes with the moving and poignant lament, sung by Dido, “When I am laid in earth”.
Following this concert there will be a drinks reception for the Friends and Benefactors of the Ulster Consort, which will take place in the Members’ Dining Room of the Parliament Buildings, affording spectacular views over the City of Belfast. To become a Friend or Benefactor of the Ulster Consort please see the end of the Season 2024 brochure. Photo: istockphoto.com
Summer Bach (I)
Saturday 20 July, 6pm – 7pm Church of the Good Shepherd, Belfast BT7 3GR
BAROQUE INVENTIONS
These charming pieces were written by J.S. Bach for his son Wilhelm Friedemann. On the autograph copy, dated 1723, Bach titled the collection: “Forthright instruction, wherewith lovers of the clavier, especially those desirous of learning, are shown in a clear way not only to learn to play two voices clearly, but also after further progress to deal correctly and well with three obbligato parts…”. The works are, in essence, Bach’s teaching manuals which have given pleasure for 300 years, and are still very much in use today.
Tickets: £15 (under 18s free) available in advance via eventbrite.co.uk, and on the evening at the door
J.S. Bach
Fifteen two-part Inventions, BWV 772-786
25’
J.S. Bach
Fifteen three-part Sinfonias [Inventions], BWV 787-801
30’
MATTHEW OWENS harpsichord
Photo: istockphoto.com
Summer Bach (II)
Thursday 8 August, 6pm – 7pm Church of the Good Shepherd, Belfast BT7 3GR Tickets: £15 (under 18s free) available in advance via eventbrite.co.uk, and on the evening at the door
BAROQUE SONATAS J.S. Bach
Sonata in C major, BWV 1033
9’
W.F. Bach
Keyboard Sonata in G major, F 7
12’
J.S. Bach
Sonata in E minor, BWV 1034
14’
C.P.E. Bach Sonata in A minor, H 30 J.S. Bach
Sonata in E major, BWV 1035
THE ULSTER CONSORT PLAYERS (on period instruments)
11’ 14’
The delicate and expressive sounds of the baroque flute, accompanied by baroque cello and harpsichord, are heard in J.S. Bach’s three sonatas for transverse flute and continuo. These are contrasted with sonatas by two of Bach’s sons, Wilhelm Friedemann and Carl Philip Emmanuel, in a lovely concert for a summer’s evening.
ELISABETH VOGEL baroque flute NORAH O’LEARY baroque cello MATTHEW OWENS harpsichord
Photo: istockphoto.com ?
To the hills and the vales, to the rocks and the mountains To the musical groves and the cool shady fountains.
‘River Flows’ by Kenny McKendry
Let the triumphs of love and of beauty be shown, Go revel, ye Cupids, the day is your own. FROM NAHUM TATE’S LIBRETTO FOR PURCELL’S DIDO AND AENEAS 1689
Thursday 26 September, 6pm – 7pm St Bernadette’s Parish Church, Rosetta, Belfast BT6 0LU
Ave Maria
Friday 27 September, 6pm – 7pm Our Lady of the Assumption Church, Newcastle BT33 0SJ Tickets: £15 (under 18s free) available in advance via eventbrite.co.uk, and on the evening at the door
THE MUSIC OF BRUCKNER, HOLST, AND STANFORD Bruckner
Ave Maria
4’
Bruckner
Christus factus est
6’
Bruckner
Locus iste
3’
Bruckner
Virga Jesse floruit
5’
Bruckner
Os justi
5’
Stanford
Three Preludes on themes of Orlando Gibbons, Op. 105
10’
Stanford
Three Motets, Op. 38 Justorum animae Caelos ascendit hodie Beati quorum via
10’
Holst
Ave Maria
5’
Holst
Nunc dimittis
4’
This concert marks three important Romantic/post Romantic era composer anniversaries in 2024: the bicentenary of Anton Bruckner (born 4 September 1824), the 150th anniversary of Gustav Holst (born 21 September 1874), and the centenary of the death of Holst’s teacher, the Irish composer, Charles Villiers Stanford (died 29 March 1924). Their glorious choral works will reverberate magnificently around the sumptuous acoustics of our venues in Belfast and Newcastle; a rich, musical, sonic spectacle not to be missed.
THE ULSTER CONSORT MATTHEW OWENS solo organ/conductor
Photo: istockphoto.com
New Sounds
Friday 11 October, 6pm – 7pm St Molua’s Church, Stormont, Belfast BT4 3LR Tickets: £15 (under 18s free) available in advance via eventbrite.co.uk, and on the evening at the door
THE CRANMER ANTHEM BOOK (I) Luke Bedford
Let thy merciful ears, O Lord
Michael Berkeley CBE new work (world première) Kerensa Briggs
new work (world première)
Richard Causton
O Lord, from whom all good things do come (world première)
Deirdre Gribbin
new work (world première)
Naji Hakim
Almighty and everlasting God, give unto us the increase of faith (world première)
Nicola LeFanu
Lord, from whom all good things do come (world première)
Roxanna Panufnik
new work (world première)
Francis Pott
Grant to us, Lord, we beseech thee (world première)
Errollyn Wallen CBE
new work (world première)
This concert is the first of an annual series to feature new works for a major commissioning project, The Cranmer Anthem Book. This project will see new settings of each of the 88 Collects from the Book of Common Prayer, devised by Tudor Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Cranmer (1489-1556). These will be written by some of the world’s leading composers. At this concert each piece will be introduced by the composers (some with a video link) and/or the conductor, offering a fascinating insight to the world of contemporary composition.
THE ULSTER CONSORT TRISTAN RUSSCHER organ MATTHEW OWENS conductor Photo: istockphoto.com
Remembrance
Friday 8 November, 6pm – 7pm St Patrick’s Church, Ballymena BT43 7BT Saturday 9 November, 6pm – 7pm St Patrick’s Cathedral (Church of Ireland), Armagh BT61 7DY Tickets: £15 (under 18s free) available in advance via eventbrite.co.uk, and on the evening at the door
THE MUSIC OF GABRIEL FAURÉ Cantique de Jean Racine, Op. 11
6’
Messe Basse (1881/1906)
10’
Pavane, Op. 50
6’
Requiem, Op. 48
37’
THE ULSTER CONSORT SUSAN SHEPHERD soprano RYAN GARNHAM baritone
A concert to commemorate one of the foremost French composers, Gabriel Fauré, who died on 4 November, 1924. The programme contains some of his best-known works, including the Requiem which is offered in the season of Remembrance (covering All Souls’ Day, on 2 November, through to Remembrance Sunday, falling this year on Sunday 10 November).
TRISTAN RUSSCHER organ MATTHEW OWENS conductor
Photo: istockphoto.com
Friday 6 December, 7.30pm – 9.45pm St Macartin’s Cathedral, Enniskillen BT74 7DR
Messiah
Saturday 7 December, 7.30pm – 9.45pm Fisherwick Presbyterian Church, Belfast BT9 5DJ Tickets: £10 (under 18s), £20, £30, £40, available in advance via eventbrite.co.uk, and on the evening at the door
HANDEL’S GREAT MASTERPIECE Handel
Messiah
120’
THE ULSTER CONSORT AND PLAYERS (on period instruments) JESSICA CALE soprano FRANCES GREGORY mezzo soprano MATTHEW LONG tenor
A stellar line up of soloists joins the singers and instrumentalists of the Ulster Consort to give the annual performance of Handel’s most famous work, Messiah. The Ulster Consort uses small forces and period instruments in an historically informed and exciting way, creating a soundscape similar to that which Handel would have experienced at the first performance in Dublin, in 1742.
DINGLE YANDELL bass MATTHEW OWENS conductor
These concerts are generously sponsored by Cathedral Eye Clinic Photo: istockphoto.com
Christmas by Candlelight CHRISTMAS WITH THE ULSTER CONSORT
THE ULSTER CONSORT TRISTAN RUSSCHER piano/organ
Friday 13 December, 7.30pm – 9pm St Mark’s Church, Dundela, Belfast BT4 2DR Tickets: £15 (£5 for under 18s) available in advance via eventbrite.co.uk, and on the evening at the door
Early booking is advised for this very popular concert when the Ulster Consort performs seasonal sacred music and lighter festive favourites, interspersed with readings, in the candlelit surroundings of C.S. Lewis’s childhood church, St Mark’s, Dundela.
MATTHEW OWENS conductor Photo: istockphoto.com
The Ulster Consort and its conductor The Ulster Consort, which made its debut with a stellar, critically acclaimed performance of Handel’s Messiah in December 2019, is Northern Ireland’s newest professional music ensemble and one of the very few professional vocal ensembles in the country. Founded by the internationally renowned and now Belfast-based conductor, Matthew Owens, the large core of the Consort’s performers consists of Northern Irish singers, and singers based in Northern Ireland. Its energies are focused on concert performances of the finest works of the Renaissance, Baroque, and Classical periods – working with period instruments and in an historically informed manner – through to the glorious smaller-scaled works of the Romantic era and the 20th century. It is also collaborating with some of Europe’s finest contemporary composers in concert and recording projects. It has recorded for the BBC and has a number of CD recording projects planned with Resonus Classics (resonusclassics.com). 2023 saw the first full season of the Consort and its first collaboration with the world-renowned Ulster Orchestra. The Ulster Consort’s ‘home’ is Belfast, but it will also perform throughout the six Ulster counties of Northern Ireland, the three Ulster counties of the Republic of Ireland, and further afield. ulsterconsort.org @ulsterconsort
Matthew Owens is Founder and Music Director of the Ulster Consort, Northern Ireland’s newest professional vocal and instrumental ensemble; Conductor of the Belfast City Chorus; Professor of Vocals at the Royal Marines School of Music; and Associate Director of the Grand Rapids Choir of Men and Boys, in Michigan, USA. Previously, he was the director of music at St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral, Edinburgh, and
Wells Cathedral. Under his leadership, Wells Cathedral Choir was named by an international jury for Gramophone as the best choir in the world with children, and the sixth greatest overall. From 2019-2022, he was Director of Music of Belfast Cathedral, where he re-established the choir as a professional adult ensemble, winning international acclaim for its work: “it could well be the finest all-adult standing choir of its kind anywhere, with near-perfect vowel harmony, blend, enunciation, nuanced awareness of phrase and an exceptional, bright and pure soprano group.” (Gramophone). He has guest conducted, among others, the London Mozart Players, Ulster Orchestra, English Symphony Orchestra, Scottish Ensemble, Nash Ensemble, and the Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra. As a conductor he has made over 30 CDs with major labels, and now records exclusively for the award-winning label, Resonus Classics. He has directed choral workshops and summer schools throughout the UK and abroad – including Australia, China, Germany, Hong Kong, Kenya, Luxembourg, New Zealand, and the USA. As an organist, Matthew has given recitals in Australia, France, Ireland, New Zealand, Spain, Switzerland, the USA, and throughout the UK. Matthew has championed new music, particularly of British composers, conducting over 200 world premieres, including works by leading composers ranging from Jools Holland to Sir James MacMillan and John Rutter to Sir Peter Maxwell Davies. As a composer himself, he has had recent commissions from NI Opera, The Queen’s College (University of Oxford), Tewkesbury Abbey, the Grand Rapids Choir of Men and Boys (Michigan), and Covenant Presbyterian Church, Nashville (Tennessee) among others. He is published by Oxford University Press, Novello, and the Royal School of Church Music. matthewowens.org.uk @MatthewOwensUK
Ulster consort
the
Friends
“The better part of one’s life consists of friendships”(Abraham Lincoln) JOIN OUR FRIENDS PROGRAMME Everyone needs friends, and for this new, exciting vocal ensemble to grow and flourish we really need your help. Our Friends Programme will help to build a new community and create opportunities, ensuring that Northern Ireland can experience performances of the highest possible standard. Becoming a Friend is the best way to hear about the Ulster Consort’s news and events. In addition to receiving benefits such as advance information about concerts, special invitations, and events, those giving at the higher levels will also have the opportunity to forge a real relationship with the Consort and its internationally renowned conductor, Matthew Owens.
CATEGORIES OF GIVING Bronze level (£60 pa or £5 per month) Advanced notice of events, plus acknowledgment in publicity material, and an annual Friends reception
Silver level (£120 pa or £10 per month) All the above benefits of Bronze, plus reserved seating, and a free programme at all concerts
Gold level (£240 pa or £20 per month) All the above benefits of Silver, plus an invitation to meet the conductor and attend a private rehearsal
Platinum level (£360 pa or £30 per month) All the above benefits of Gold, plus unlimited access to private rehearsals and an invitation to an annual Friends Dinner with the conductor
REGISTER TO BECOME A FRIEND BY VISITING WWW.ULSTERCONSORT.ORG
BECOME A BENEFACTOR OR CORPORATE SPONSOR If you would like to support us at a higher level, please get in touch by emailing us via hello@ulsterconsort.org – we have tailor made packages for Benefactors and Corporatre Sponsors; details are available upon request.
Our Friends, Benefactors, and Corporate Sponsors Corporate Sponsors
Silver Friends
Cathedral Eye Clinic
Miss Christine Birchall
Lanyon Group
Mr A Campbell Mr Peter and Mrs Mary Harland
Benefactors Dr Paul and Mrs Heather Darragh Mr Cameron Marshall
Platinum Friends
Dr Paul and Mrs Jenny Harron Mrs Frances Hastie Mrs Carol Hunter Mr John and Mrs Rosemary Hunter Mr Gerald and Mrs Kathy Lavery Mr Robert McNair
Dr Steve and Mrs Beth Aitken
Mrs Susanne Neill
Drs Michael and Barbara Callender
Mrs Norma Nixon
Mr John Owens
Mrs Jenny Orr Mrs Liz Paton
Gold Friends Mr Robin Adams Mrs Helen Gallagher
Mrs Valerie Prosser Mr Harold Wilkin Mr FE Woodhouse
Mr Jonathan Ireland Mr Roger Martin
Bronze Friends
Mr Tom Maxwell Mrs Joan Pepper
Mrs Briege Arthurs, in memory of Peggy Flynn
Mr Colin Skillen
Miss Ruth Bell Mrs Laura Giblin Mr Alec MacDonald Mrs Nancy McGiveron Mrs Clíona McGuckin Mr and Mrs K McKendry Mr Des McKeown Mr P McKeown
Children’s Summer School Monday 12 – Friday 16 August, 9am – 4pm daily St Mary’s Church, Chapel Lane, Belfast, BT1 1HH, with additional daily rehearsals and lunch in 19 Arthur Square (Cornmarket)
The Ulster Consort joins with The Conservatoire Belfast in presenting a summer music school for children aged between 5 and 14, with daily tuition provided by some of Northern Ireland’s leading musicians. Our Junior Summer School (ages 5–8) will be led by India Chapman Webb, who will introduce the youngest children to basic theory and music through lots of fun songs and musical games. Our Senior Summer School (ages 9–14) will be led by Matthew Owens, who will introduce children to higher levels of musicianship. They will be given the opportunity to take part in smaller vocal sectionals with expert voice tutors and perform to a high standard. At the end of the week, all course participants will perform in an informal concert for family and friends. Cost: £200
The course fee includes:
• cooked lunch each day • all music • branded t-shirt • music folders and stationery • all snacks • group tuition • group activities
To secure a place for your child on this course please register by emailing info@theconservatoirebelfast.com
Front and back cover image: ‘Moonrise over the loch’ by Kenny McKendry