Spem in Alium by Candlelight

The Choir of St Martin-in-the-Fields is joined by the choirs of All Saints, Fulham and St Luke's Chelsea for a performance of some of the finest choral music. Alongside works by Byrd, Parry, Howells and Pärt, the singers will join forces to sing two motets for 40 voices; a new composition by David Bednall and Tallis's epic Spem in Alium.

Written in around 1570 for eight choirs of five voice parts, some of the earliest manuscripts for Spem in Alium date from the investiture of Henry Frederick, son of James I, as the Prince of Wales in 1610. An astonishing feat of musical writing, it is considered by many to be the greatest piece of English early music.

Holst – Nunc Dimittis
Byrd – Sing joyfully
Eleanor Daley – Upon your heart
Parry – My soul there is country
Howells – Long, long ago
Parsons – Ave Maria
Byrd – Laudibus in sanctis
Tallis – Spem in alium
Nystedt – Immortal Bach
Sandström – Es ist ein ros Entsprungen
Pärt – The Deer’s Cry
Trad. arr. Dawson – There is a balm in Gilead
Finzi – My spirit sang all day
Trad. arr. Rice – O Waly Waly
Trad. arr. Summerly – Three British Folk Songs
Elizabeth Coxhead – My eyes for beauty pine
David Bednall – Lux orta

Performers

Choir of St Martin-in-the-Fields
Choir of All Saints’, Fulham
Choir of St Luke’s Chelsea

Tom Williams Conductor
Jonathan Wikeley Conductor
Jeremy Summerly Conductor