'The waiting is long...': The Sixteen provide welcome Music for Reflection in difficult times

The Sixteen

Harry Christophers (conductor)

Antonia Christophers (narrator)

Live from London, VOCES8

7pm, Saturday 19 September 2020

(reviewed from online stream)

Kings Place, London

★★★★

Felice Anerio (c.1560-1614): Litaniae Beatissimae Virginis Mariae

Argo Pärt (b.1935): The Deer’s Cry

T S Eliot (1888-1965): Here let us stand, from Murder in the Cathedral

Josquin des Prez (c.1450/1455-152): O Virgo prudentissima

Arvo Pärt (b.1935): Da pacem Domine

T S Eliot (1888-1965): Does the bird sing in the south?, from Murder in the Cathedral

John Sheppard (c.1515-1558): Libera nos I

Josquin des Prez (c.1450/1455-1521): Pater noster, Ave Maria

Argo Pärt (b.1935): Morning Star

T S Eliot (1888-1965): We praise thee, O God, from Murder in the Cathedral

Tomás Luis de Victoria (c.1548-1611): Litaniae Beatae Mariae

Encore: 

William Byrd (1543-1623): Mass for Four Voices, Agnus Dei 

Pärt:

'Christophers judged the pace of Pärt’s pieces well ... and the rich lower voices provided firm grounding throughout'.

Shepard:

'The emotional highpoint, with its low bass cantus firmus underpinning the glorious soaring and falling sopranos'.

Byrd:

'Beautifully performed here by a solo quartet, this was a perfect, intimate and reflective conclusion'.

Read my full review on Bachtrack here.