Concert - Hymn to the Virgin
Sat, 7 Dec 2024
“Oh, by that joy which Gabriel brought to thee,
Thou Virgin first and last, let us thy mercy see.”
So concludes Edward Caswall’s translation of the Marian hymn “Alma Redemptoris Mater”, and thus began the first concert of Reading Bach Choir’s season.
Inspired by the season of Advent and the magnificent architecture and acoustics of Douai Abbey, “Hymn to the Virgin” brought together music from two distinct periods in veneration of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The programme alternated between William Byrd’s Propers for Advent from his first book of Gradualia with Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina’s Missa Alma Redemptoris Mater.
Nestled among the Renaissance treasures were beloved works for the season by Benjamin Britten and Herbert Howells plus music by living composers Gabriel Jackson, Kerensa Briggs and Judith Weir.
"Loved it loved it loved it! "
"The singing was awesome, pitch perfect throughout. Liked the Palestrina best, but the modern pieces were good too, all new to me. Well done. A great concert in a wonderful setting."
