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A TRE
SACRED MUSIC FOR 3 VOICES
THE FIFTEENB CONSORT | ||||
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FifteenB are celebrating their 10th anniversary season by presenting a programme of French and English sacred music for 2 and 3 voices.
William Byrd's substantial motets Ave Maris Stella and Regina Coeli come from the Gradualia of 1605; his mammoth project to support the recusant Roman Catholics in England by writing a complete set of propers for the church's whole year. In addition we will be singing two of Byrd's sacred madrigals, settings of metrical versions of the Psalms written for domestic use.
The Missa Simplex by artistic director, Robert Hugill, was written for church use and was intended for occasions when the choir is reduced in numbers. Written for unaccompanied choir in just 3 parts, the middle part is written so that it can be sung by either altos or tenors. Robert's Salve Regina is a 5-part setting and was written specifically for the FifteenB consort to perform at these concerts. A complete change of style is provided by a group of motets for voices and organ written by 19th century French composers. Exploring a variety of combinations of 2 and 3 voices, these charming works were written for practical use in Parisian churches. Of the 3 composers represented in the programme, Fauré, Saint-Saens, Delibes, only Fauré is commonly associated with sacred music today, Delibes is most well known for his ballet Coppelia and his opera Lakme. But all three held posts as organists at distinguished Parisian churches. The programme will be completed with organ solos by organist Julian Lockwood, who will be playing a pair of 19th century French Romantic pieces. The choir FifteenB, from whose members the FifteenB consort is drawn, were founded by Robert Hugill in 1994 to perform contemporary music alongside more familiar repertoire. Since then the choir have given the premieres of a number of Robert’s works as well as promoting concerts by other performers. The choir have made 3 appearances at the Chelsea Festival. |