The Sixteen
Harry Christophers conductor
Gardner When Christ was born of Mary free
Palestrina Excerpts from Missa O magnum mysterium
Holst In the bleak midwinter
Palestrina A solis ortu cardine
Trad. arr. Vaughan Williams O little town of Bethlehem
Victoria O magnum mysterium
Warlock Bethlehem Down
Morten Lauridsen O magnum mysterium
Trad. arr. Jacques Angels from the realms of glory
Ireland The Holy Boy
Ives A Christmas Carol
Will Todd My Lord has Come
Byrd O magnum mysterium
Palestrina O magnum mysterium
Davies O little town of Bethlehem
Palestrina Magnificat quarti toni
World-renowned choir The Sixteen returns to Spitalfields with a programme of old and new music for the Christmas season.
They explore how composers have used the words from the traditional Christian chant O magnum mysterium, often recited at Mass on Christmas morning, to create sumptuous harmonies, from Palestrina’s energetic six-voice polyphony, to Morten Lauridsen’s deeply spiritual interpretation of the text, described by the composer as “a quiet song of profound inner joy.”
Alongside are favourite and less familiar works by British composers. These include John Ireland’s wistful carol The Holy Boy and Peter Warlock’s rich Bethlehem Down and much loved arrangements of traditional English Christmas carols.
“… ecstatic radiance… a perfect evening”
Telegraph on The Sixteen at Spitalfields Music Summer Festival 2013
Running time: 1hr 45min, including a 20min interval
Leila’s Shop bar will be providing refreshments before the performance and during the interval. You can pre-order drinks and light bites with your tickets. View the menu
