The Tallis Scholars return to Chamberfest in a spectacular festive concert in the glorious acoustic of Christ Church Cathedral. In addition to seasonal favourites, they’ll share selections by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, just ahead of the monumental composer’s 500th anniversary in 2025.

“The most traditional way to celebrate Christmas is to turn to Gregorian chant. We do this tonight in three different styles: the interpretation of it by the 12th century abbess Hildegard of Bingen (these are her own compositions); the living Gregorian tradition as shown in settings of the Salve Regina, Ut queant laxis, Magnificat and Nunc dimittis; and as adapted in the medieval popular song In dulci jubilo; and Arvo Pärt’s reimagining of this tradition, partly in the Orthodox view. In particular there is his Da pacem, where the alto voice quotes a whole chant melody, running from start to finish of the piece. For a thousand years, chant represented all there was of ‘classical’ music. And it remains second to none in evoking the atmosphere of the great feast days.”

— Peter Phillips

• The Tallis Scholarsvocal ensemble
• Peter Phillips​conductor

Programme

Anonymous
In dulci jubilo v.1

Hieronymus Praetorius (1560–1629)
In dulci jubilo vv. 2 and 4

Hildegard von Bingen (1098–1179)
In principio omnes

Jacob Obrecht (1457–1505)
Salve Regina

Hildegard von Bingen
O virtus sapientiae

Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (1525–1594)
Ut queant laxis

Arvo Pärt (b. 1935)
Magnificat

Intermission

Hildegard von Bingen
O ignis spiritus

A. Pärt
Da pacem

Plainchant
Salve Regina

Hernando Franco (1532–1585)
Salve Regina

G. P. da Palestrina
Salve Regina

Tomás Luis de Victoria (1548–1611)
Magnificat

Robert Lucas Pearsall (1795–1856)
In dulci jubilo

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This concert, part of Chamberfest’s Early Music Now series, is presented with the generous support of Nicole Presentey.