The Cardinall's Musick: Performance Diary

The Cardinall’s Musick at the Wigmore Hall (Byrd Series)

The Wigmore Hall launches a unique series exploring the music of William Byrd next season – the largest ever celebration of the English Renaissance master’s music in London.  In three concerts in the 2011-2012 season,  The Cardinall’s Musick present a range of music by England’s first truly great composer, who found himself caught between his own beliefs and a continually changing religious landscape. Focussing on the Latin sacred music of this recusant Catholic composer, the dark intensity of this music is perfectly suited to the vivid choral colours which Andrew draws from his singers.  Concerts take place on October 7 2011, March 5 and May 17 2012.  Booking is now open for all three concerts.  Box Office 020 7935 2141, www.wigmore-hall.org.uk.

Concert: From Darkness to Light, Christmas Festival

2011 is the 400th anniversary of the death of one of the most sublime Renaissance composers – Tomas Luis de Victoria.  His stunning six-voice Requiem is perfect for the preparation season of Advent whilst there is also music for Christmas and its celebrations including the rarely heard battle-mass, the Missa Pro Victoria.

https://secure.sjss.org.uk/

Concert: The Three Kings, York Early Music Christmas Festival

A programme which celebrates the journey of the Wise Men to the infant Jesus. The music is drawn from across Renaissance Europe but features the opulent Missa Ego flos campi by Padilla, the Spaniard who spent most of his life working in Mexico. This eight-part Mass is set alongside motets by Victoria and the timeless melodies of Gregorian chant.The second half features the magnificent set of Mass Propers for the Feast of the Epiphany by William Byrd alongside three thrusting motets by Palestrina and the extraordinary chromatic motet Mirabile mysterium by Jacob Handl.

http://www.ncem.co.uk/?idno=230

Concert: Mozart’s Pilgrimage, Bath Mozartfest

A programme which looks at the influences on the child prodigy, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, whilst on his European travels with his father.  Music from the German-speaking world is represented by Schütz and Bach. From England are pieces by two contemporary composers who Mozart encountered, William Boyce and J.S. Bach’s youngest son, Johann Christian. Whilst from Italy, perhaps the greatest influence on his early life, comes music from the revered Palestrina, eyebrow-raising chromaticism from the opera composer, Antonio Lotti and the famous Miserere of Allegri. Legend has it that Mozart heard this piece in the Sistine Chapel whilst on his travels and then wrote it down from memory. 

http://www.bathmozartfest.org.uk/

Concert: Byrd: The Popish Organist, Wigmore Hall

The Cardinall’s Musick opens the Wigmore Hall Byrd series 2011-2012 with a performance featuring some of Byrd’s finest sacred music alongside settings of the same texts by his contemporaries Tallis, Philip de Monte, Parsons, Sheppard and Mundy.