Hymn to the Queen of Heaven – Glorious Advent music from Russia to South America

Collegium Singers

In this Advent programme we shall explore musical ideas from different times and places, all praising Mary, the Mother of Christ.

The Eastern Orthodox church’s attachment to ikons, symbolising the incontrovertible faith of its subjects, inspires music from composers such as Rachmaninov and Pärt which is unswerving at its core yet fluid in its harmonies.    Travel West and into the more familiar traditions of C20th Britain, where MacMillan and Britten demonstrate how faith can be described in God’s creation of the natural world while also acknowledging Mary’s purity of character and demeanour.

Move back in time and a little further south to Mediterranean climes and here Victoria writes in classic Renaissance terms, with gloriously interwoven arcs of harmony.  Just a decade or two later, across the Atlantic in Spain and Portugal’s newly acquired dominions in South America, the Catholic Church rapidly establishes itself, opening the door to admit the rhythmic vitality of traditional native music. 

Advent here is celebrated with every sign of sheer exuberance and colour!

Come and hear all of these different musical ideas in anticipation of your own very Happy Christmas

Tickets through choir web site and :- 

Taunton Visitor Centre, Market House, Fore Street, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 1JD Tel: 01823-340470

Wellington Tourist Information Centre, 30 Fore Street, Wellington, Somerset, TA21 8AQ Tel: 01823-663379

Programme

Hanacpachup cussicuinin (Ritual 1631) – Traditional

The Theotokos, ever-vigilant in prayer – Sergey Rachmaninov

O magnum mysterium – Tomás Luis de Victoria

Dulce Jesus Mio - Anonymous

A Hymn to the Virgin – Benjamin Britten

Sieben Magnificat – Antiphonen, 7 Magnificat Antiphons - Arvo Pärt

Vespers, ‘All-night vigil’ Op 37 – Sergey Rachmaninov

Ave Regina caelorum - Juan Gutiérrez de Padilla

Convidando está la noche - Juan García de Zéspedes