Details
Southwell Minster
Church Street
Southwell
Nottinghamshire
NG25 0HD
England
Programme
William Byrd – Ne irascaris / Civitas sancti tui
James MacMillan – O Bone Jesu
James MacMillan – The Gallant Weaver
Performers
Kit Downes – organ
Marcus Farnsworth – Conductor
Southwell Festival Voices
Other concerts in this Series (+)
Programme Note
The powerful and affecting choral music of William Byrd and James MacMillan – the leading Catholic composers of the reigns of Elizabeths I and II – provide the dual focus for this atmospheric late night concert by the Southwell Music Festival’s elite professional choir. The evening’s third creative spirit will be the award-winning composer and organist Kit Downes, whose improvised organ interludes will reflect on and link the choral items. Byrd’s powerful double motet Ne irascaris Domine/Civitas sancti tui is one of his most powerful laments for the fate of the Catholic church in England. MacMillan, who this year celebrates his 60th birthday, will be represented by a Strathclyde motet, The Gallant Weaver, and O Bone Jesu – one of his most important choral works which was inspired by his fruitful association with the Festival’s Patron Harry Christophers and The Sixteen.