On a cold January afternoon, let yourself be encircled by the warmth and beauty of choral music by some of the most intriguing contemporary composers of the British Isles and the Baltics. Meditative works by established masters Jonathan Dove, James MacMillan and Gabriel Jackson join pieces by younger composers Will Todd and Paul Mealor. A work by the Latvian Ēriks Ešenvalds leads to the centrepiece of our concert, the Magnificat by Arvo Pärt. Now in his eighty-fourth year, the Estonian pioneer of “holy minimalism” melds simplicity with expressive dissonance to lift the spirit to higher realms.
Our hour-long concert, conducted by Matthew Altham, takes place in the intimate grandeur of St George’s Bloomsbury, whose resonant acoustic will complement the works on our programme.
Admission is free, and no tickets are required.
There will be a retiring collection to help defray costs for the choir and St George’s.
Programme
Will Todd – In this place
Jonathan Dove – In beauty may I walk
Percy Grainger – Mo nighean dubh
Paul Mealor – Ubi caritas
Ola Gjeilo – Northern lights
Will Todd – Encircled
Ēriks Ešenvalds – There will come soft rains
Francis Grier – A baby asleep after pain
Arvo Pärt – Magnificat
Gabriel Jackson – Salve Regina
James MacMillan – Miserere