The choir is incredible, world class
Juliet Stevenson CBE (Truly Madly Deeply, Bend it like Beckham, Wolf)
The official start of the Christmas season is, as everyone knows, not the release of the John Lewis Xmas ad, but the Fourth Choir’s Winter Concert!
During the dark days of December, the world can seem a cruel and difficult place and, as human beings have done since the dawn of time, this is the time when we are drawn to congregate together in places of light, warmth and companionship, to refresh the spirit and seek comfort from the sound of voices raised in harmony.
In this year’s Music for a Winter’s Night, Jamie Powe, our Music Director, has carefully selected a wide variety of Xmas music that can be enjoyed by people of every religion and none. We’ve included pieces by some of our favourite composers such as Cecilia McDowall, Nathaniel Dett and Michael Pretorius. We’ve got pieces that are well-known - In the Stillness by Sally Beamish and an exquisite choral arrangement of Away in a Manger. And there are Renaissance rarities - by the Portuguese Vicente Lusitano, believed to be the first published black composer, and the Italian nun, Isabella Leonarda, who, despite living in a convent from the age of 16 until her death at the age of 83, was one of the most prolific women composers of her time. All this and more...
So, come into the warm and wallow in music celebrating loving mothers, newborn babies peacefully sleeping, angels filling the night skies with light and song, new beginnings and nature renewing herself.
Mulled cider (alcoholic or soft, included with ticket) will be served in the interval.
Programme
A Tender Shoot Kerensa Briggs
Ave Regina Caelorum Isabella Leonarda
Ave Maria Robert Nathaniel Dett
Regina Caeli Vicente Lusitano
Regina Caeli Cecilia McDowall
Away in a Manger arr. Reginald Jacques
Lully lulla Kenneth Leighton
A Simple Gloria Libby Larsen
Gloria, Gloria Richard Rodney Bennett
Summer is Gone Samuel Coleridge-Taylor
In the Stillness Sally Beamish
Unexpected Early Hour Reena Esmail
Behind the Clouds Abbie Betinis
The Night Toby Young
Venite, Gaudete Adrian Peacock
Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas arr. Peter Gritton
Please note: St Clement Danes is a historical venue with one gender neutral toilet on the ground floor. To accommodate this, we will provide several natural breaks during the concert so people can leave to use the toilet rather than queue during the interval. We will also have a longer interval, and ask people to use the toilets at nearby pubs if they are able to do so.