Mixing iconic choral works with music by some of today’s most exciting composers, this varied programme is centred around themes of rest. Joel Thompson’s virtuosic new work is a particular highlight: written for 15 vocal parts, A Prayer for Deliverance (2021) perfectly showcases Tenebrae’s core values of passion and precision. The second half features Herbert Howells’ Requiem – surely one of the most moving works in the English choral repertoire.

Programme:

Gustav Holst – The Evening-watch

Cecilia McDowall – Standing as I do before God

Francis Pott – The Souls of the Righteous

Caroline Shaw – And the Swallow

Richard Rodney Bennett – A Good-Night

Ralph Vaughan Williams – Rest

Joel Thompson – A Prayer for Deliverance

INTERVAL

John Tavener – Song for Athene

Ralph Vaughan Williams – Valiant-for-Truth

Robert Pearsall – Lay a garland

Arthur Sullivan – The long day closes

Herbert Howells – Requiem

1. Salvator mundi

2. Psalm 23

3. Requiem aeternam I

4. Psalm 121

5. Requiem aeternam II

6. I heard a voice from Heaven

William Harris – Bring us, O Lord

Photo credit Kathleen Holman