The Choral Pilgrimage 2026: Southwell

A programme exploring majestic music from the Spanish Renaissance alongside spellbinding works from James MacMillan and Kerensa Briggs.

Spain’s Siglo de Oro, the Age of Gold, gave rise to some of the greatest sacred choral music of the Renaissance. We devote our latest Choral Pilgrimage to pieces by two outstanding Spanish composers, exploring majestic works by Cristóbal de Morales, famed throughout Europe and in the New World, and the exquisite polyphony of Sebastián de Vivánco, whose intricately crafted counterpoint adorned services at the cathedrals of Ávila and Salamanca during the late 1500s.

Our programme also features spellbinding settings of words by Saint John Henry Newman: Sir James MacMillan’s Nothing in Vain for soloists and double choir and the world premiere of Kerensa Briggs’ Lead, Kindly Light, specially commissioned for the Choral Pilgrimage.

Vivanco Christus factus est pro nobis
Morales Emendemus in Melius
Vivanco Assumpta est Maria
Morales Gaude et laetare Ferrariensis civitas
Kerensa Briggs Lead, Kindly Light (new commission)
Vivanco Magnificat Octavi toni
Morales Jubilate Deo omnis terra
Vivanco O quam suavis est, Domine
Morales Exaltata est sancta Dei Genitrix
Morales Lamentabatur Jacob
Vivanco Caritas Pater est
James MacMillan Nothing in Vain (2021, Genesis Foundation commission)

The Sixteen
Harry Christophers conductor