The Company of Heaven series at Wigmore Hall

The Saints of the Church have long provided inspiration for composers, especially in the medieval, Renaissance and early Baroque periods when the Church and its ceremonies stood at the centre of daily life. This series of three performances features masses in honour of particular saints, St Peter (Palestrina), St Mary Magdalene (Guerrero) and St John the Baptist (Palestrina). Each mass is a fine example of these composers at their very best – perfect democracy in the music with each part holding equal importance and wonderful invention in their melodies and imitation. Plainsong propers for the relevant feast day help to throw the polyphony into relief. Each second half features a variety of motets, the small-scale alongside the more magnificent. A setting of the Magnificat – the words of the Blessed Virgin Mary – concludes each concert.

Thursday 27th September 2018, Wednesday 30th January 2019, Thursday 20th June 2019

Book online at wigmore-hall.org.uk
By telephone on 020 7935 2141
In person at 36 Wigmore Street, London W1U