Celebrate the festive season with a concert showcasing Britten’s Ceremony of Carols alongside traditional and modern works. Written in the darkest of times on a wartime transatlantic voyage, Britten’s buoyant, brilliant music would pierce any midwinter gloom. For our concert, it is the endpoint of a journey through music from the medieval to the present day. Some of the names and music may not be familiar, but each composer beautifully captures the spirit of the season, whether reflective, exultant, poetic or peaceful.

Programme
Britten A Hymn to the Virgin
Anon. mediaeval (c. 1420) There is no Rose
Parry Welcome, Yule
Ballet lute book Sweet Was the Song
Laura Sheils Adam lay ybounden
Palestrina Hodie Christus natus est
Palestrina ‘Gloria’ from Missa Hodie Christus natus est
Traditional (Cornish) Sans Day Carol
Victoria Ne timeas
Anon. mediaeval Angelus ad virginem
Victoria Alma Redemptoris Mater
Francis Pott A Hymn to the Virgin
Lucy Walker There is No Rose
Cecilia McDowall Of a Rose
Anon The Salutation Carol
Britten A Ceremony of Carols

Performers
The Sixteen
Harry Christophers conductor
Joy Smith harp