©Izzy Romily
©Izzy Romily
(Fri 13 Oct 2023 8.00pm Little Missenden Church)
8 voices of Corvus Consort with Freddie Crowley conductor
Programme Notes (also available free at concert)
The Latin texts used in this wonderfully varied choral programme have been a bottomless source of inspiration to composers for hundreds of years. Among them, those concerning the Virgin Mary have always held a particular interest – examples here are Mouton’s awed testimony to the Virgin in the 16th century (Nesciens Mater) and the far more recent call for Mary’s assistance to help all sinners in Cecilia MacDowall’s Alma redemptoris Mater.
General praise for the Creator and the Creation is another longstanding theme, and in this programme we span the centuries from Victoria’s O quam gloriosum to James MacMillan’s Dominus dabit benignitatem. Some non-Latin texts also figure in the mix: Alec Roth’s Men & Angels, composed less than 10 years ago, is based on a George Herbert poem; a Navajo prayer is the basis for In beauty may I walk by Jonathan Dove; while the Old Irish St Patrick’s Breastplate lies behind Arvo Pärt’s The Deer’s Cry.
Tomás Luis de Victoria O quam gloriosum
Raffaella Aleotti Surge, propera amica mea
Jonathan Dove In beauty may I walk
James MacMillan Dominus dabit benignitatem
William Byrd Diliges Dominum
Judith Weir Ave Regina coelorum
Anna Semple Ad te, Domine
Arvo Pärt The Deer’s Cry
Thomas Tallis Sancte Deus
Alec Roth Men & Angels
Jean Mouton Nesciens Mater
Diogo Dias Melgás Salve Regina
Sulpitia Cesis Stabat Mater
Hilary Campbell Ave Maria
Cecilia MacDowall Alma redemptoris Mater
Pierre de la Rue O salutaris hostia
Founded and directed by Freddie Crowley, Corvus Consort’s singers are drawn from a pool of the country’s most talented young professionals in the early stages of their singing careers. They perform in a wide variety of genres and styles, ranging from Renaissance polyphony and Baroque motets right through to 20th- century and contemporary choral works.
Described as “one of the most innovative and adventurous vocal ensembles presently performing”, Corvus’s refreshing combination of musical excellence, passionate performance and unstuffy presentation makes them hugely popular with audiences up and down the country.
Online booking is managed by TicketSource. This event may be booked from the Tickets link on this page but, when booking for multiple events, it may be more convenient to use our Little Missenden Festival page on TicketSource.
Fri 13 Oct 2023 8.00pm
Little Missenden Church
Online booking is managed by TicketSource. This event may be booked from the Tickets link on this page but, when booking for multiple events, it may be more convenient to use our Little Missenden Festival page on TicketSource.