This year’s Christmas concert will be festive but not strictly seasonal. As this is David Allinson’s final concert as the choir’s musical director, the choir has given him free rein to select favourite pieces from his 16 years at the helm of The Renaissance Singers.

Among the gems he has chosen are two peerless works by Josquin: his monumental Praeter rerum seriem which celebrates the mystery of the Incarnation and the almost supernaturally beautiful Agnus Dei from the Missa L’homme armé sexti toni.

Other works in this celebratory programme will recall peaks in the choir’s period under David’s artistic direction since 2010, including works by Cardoso, Verdelot … a touch of Tudor music and, of course, his favourite: Victoria! A highlight of the evening should be the massive ceremonial motet by Isaac, Angeli, Archangeli, which evokes the whole company of heaven in song.

The concert takes place at St Mary’s, Bourne Street, a church where the choir frequently performs and where Renaissance polyphony feels especially at home, marking the closing of the year, bidding David a fond farewell – and looking forward with joy to the next chapter in the choir’s history.

Programme includes:
Josquin des Prez Praeter rerum seriem
Agnus Dei, from Missa L’homme armé sexti toni
Heinrich Isaac Angeli, Archangeli

Performers:
The Renaissance Singers
David Allinson conductor