Eternal Light: Choral Tributes and Elegies

Performed by Siglo de Oro on July 18th

This collection of early and contemporary choral works is united by the theme of paying tribute to departed friends, musicians and royalty. The renaissance works range from Robert Ramsey’s When David heard, written in response to the tragic death of Henry, Prince of Wales, to Josquin’s Nymphes des bois, a moving tribute to Johannes Ockheghem, composed in the style of the late master. The modern pieces include James MacMillan’s A child’s prayer, dedicated to the memory of the victims of the Dunblane Massacre, John Taverner’s elegaic Song for Athene, and Gabriel Jackson’s In memoriam, a poignant work commissioned by a choir in memory of one of its members.

The concert concludes with Howells' Requiem, part of which you can hear the choir singing here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KPURDivv6o.

Siglo de Oro (director, Patrick Allies)

Formed by a group of London students, Siglo de Oro has become one of the leading young professional choirs of its generation, known for exciting interpretations of both renaissance and contemporary repertoire. In 2014 the group sang live on BBC Radio 3’s In Tune and made its debut at the Spitalfields Music Winter Festival, of which The Financial Times said: ‘Siglo de Oro, under the assured direction of Patrick Allies, performed with vivacity and poise.’

Siglo de Oro regularly commissions music, and this year has collaborated with saxophonist Sam Corkin in a project that has seen new works written by Thomas Hewitt-Jones, Ed Rex and Will Todd. The choir will give these pieces their premiere at the Victoria International Festival in Gozo, Malta, in July. This summer will also see the choir performing for the first time at the City of London Festival, Sounds Sublime Festival (in association with The Sixteen) and for Music on the Quantocks.

(Tickets £10 on the door)

July 28, 2015