29TH ANNUAL Christmas Festival St John’s Smith Square 11 - 23 December 2014 European Union Orchestra The of King’s College London The Choir of Clare College, Cambridge Oxford Baroque Christ Church Cathedral Choir, Oxford Tenebrae Consort Ensemble Plus Ultra National Youth Music Theatre The Choir of Trinity College Cambridge Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment

Welcome to the 29th Annual Christmas Festival at St John’s Smith Square

Howard Goodall introduces Christ Church Cathedral Choir, Oxford, and an English Feast is served up by The Tallis Scholars with music by Byrd, Turges and Tavener. This year we extend a warm welcome Welcome to three groups new to the Festival: Tenebrae Consort in a concert of carols and Christmas favourites, Spanish music specialists Ensemble Plus Ultra in a programme marking the anniversary of El Greco’s death, and the National Youth Music Theatre with ‘A Winter Wonderland’. The European Union Baroque Orchestra At the end of a year of reflection and opens the festival with one of the most commemoration of the start of World electrifying moments in the entire Baroque War I, our annual Christmas Festival repertoire, a representation of chaos in a celebrates themes of rebirth and creation programme culminating in La Création in music which gives us all, whatever our du Monde, a suite from three of Rameau’s beliefs, faith in an enduring humanity. The operas. Festival continues to thrive in the unique atmosphere of this great venue, attracting As we celebrate the 300th anniversary of the very finest artists, in particular those SJSS, a glorious masterpiece of English from the great British choral tradition. Baroque architecture, 2014 also marks Choral music is now more popular than another anniversary; 20 years since the ever, with people recognising its power first performance ofMessiah here with to move, and we invite you to share that Polyphony, now an annual tradition. extraordinary gift with us. We are delighted to be working with OAE and some wonderful soloists for this and This year, The Choir of King’s College also Bach’s B minor Mass with The Choir of London present Renaissance masterpieces Trinity College Cambridge. including Thomas Tallis’ iconic . Equally extraordinary, is With best wishes for a peaceful Christmas Schoenberg’s 1907 piece Friede auf Erden and New Year. (Peace on Earth) which is performed by The Choir of Clare College, Cambridge. Oxford Baroque return with a festive French programme and Ex Cathedra bring a candlelit sequence of Christmas music old and new, with a special tribute to those Stephen Layton involved in the conflict of World War I.

European Union Baroque Orchestra Oxford Baroque Director: Lars Ulrik Mortensen Director: Jeremy Summerly

LA CRÉATION DU MONDE The concert starts with the suite from Rameau’s operas Zaïs, most shocking moment in the Les Boréades and Platée. entire baroque repertoire: Rebel’s Programme includes: representation of chaos, which Les Elémens Rebel opens his suite Les Elémens. The darkness before creation is Concerto Grosso XII Muffat depicted by sounding all the notes Les Caractères de la Danse Rebel of the scale simultaneously, in Suite ‘La Création du Monde’ Rameau absolute discord: the individual elements earth, wind, water and “Live-wire performances, technically fire have not yet emerged and excellent and propelled with exactly

there is utter chaos. As the suite the right degree of driving energy by Thursday 11 December 7.30pm continues, gradually order and Lars Ulrik Mortensen.” structure are imposed on the Gramophone world. “There’s only one way of describing European Union Baroque EUBO: simply superb.” Orchestra’s programme with The Times Director Lars Ulrik Mortensen continues to paint “La Création du Monde” with more elemental of astonishing force and intensity, including a

Tickets: £25, £20, £15, £10 Box Office:020 7222 1061 10% discount for concessions www.sjss.org.uk

The Choir of King’s College London Director: David Trendell

SPEM IN ALIUM Spanish, English and Italian music to critical acclaim and has recently The Choir of King’s College given concerts in the USA, , London return to St John’s Smith and St Petersburg. Square with a rich programme Programme includes: featuring one of the masterpieces Mass for double choir Martin of the Renaissance, Tallis’ 40-part motet Spem in alium, Hymne à la vierge Villette together with one of Lassus’ Missa Bel’ amfitrit’ altera Lassus most famous masses, the joyous Alma redemptoris mater Lassus 8-part Missa Bel’ amfitrit’ altera, Spem in alium Tallis

Friday 12 December 7.30pm and two seasonal motets. These are contrasted with one of the “David Trendell’s fine choir glows with twentieth century’s finest settings warmth and commitment.” of the Mass, by Frank Martin, and The Observer motets by the French composer Pierre Villette. “A choir as passionate as it is disciplined.” The Choir of King’s College BBC Music Magazine London is one of the finest mixed-voice in England. In addition to singing weekly services in the College Chapel, the choir has made a number of recordings of sixteenth-century

Tickets: £25, £20, £15, £10 Box Office:020 7222 1061 10% discount for concessions www.sjss.org.uk The Choir of Clare College, Cambridge and The Dmitri Ensemble Director: Graham Ross

Music for Christmas: the latest recording in The Choir of Clare College’s much-celebrated series of works for the church year. Since the founding of a mixed voice choir in 1971, The Choir of Clare College has gained an international reputation as one of the leading university choral groups in the world. In addition to its primary function of leading services three times a week in the College chapel, the Choir keeps an active schedule recording, broadcasting, and performing throughout the UK and the world. Programme includes: The Shepherd’s Farewell Berlioz Riù, Riù, Chiù Traditional LUX DE CAELO: Es ist ein Ros entsprungen M Praetorius MUSIC FOR CHRISTMAS Personent hodie John Rutter A babe is born Mathias Graham Ross and The Choir A ceremony of carols Britten of Clare College, Cambridge Saturday 13 December 7.30pm return to St John’s Smith Square alongside The Dmitri Ensemble to “Graham Ross knows exactly how to get perform much-loved Christmas the best out of his singers. I find it hard repertoire from around Europe. to imagine that the music has ever been The performance includes two better sung than this.” major Christmas works of the MusicWeb International 20th century: Arnold Schoenberg’s extraordinary Friede auf Erden and “The singing and, above all, direction, Britten’s ever-popular A ceremony are of such consummate musicianship.” of carols. The concert marks the Gramophone official launch ofLux de caelo:

Tickets: £30, £25, £20, £10 Box Office:020 7222 1061 www.sjss.org.uk Monday 15 December 7.30pm Director: Jeremy Summerly Oxford Baroque Tickets: one ofthemostexciting early Rapidly gainingattentionas composer. and continuo,asintendedbythe les instruments together bythestylish Christmas story. Theseare drawn of theshepherds and angelsofthe brings tolifethewonderandjoy nativitatem Dominicanticum evocative oratorio-motet ‘noëls’, alongsidethebeautifully with itsjoyousdancingChristmas favourite, the includes thefamiliarCharpentier programme. Theperformance a suitablyfestiveFrench baroque for athird successiveyear, with Baroque return totheFestival Charpentier’s sacred music,Oxford debut recording ofMarc-Antoine Following thesuccessoftheir IN NATIVITATEM DOMINICANTICUM £25, £20, £15,£10 forflutes,strings Messe deminuit Noëls sur In , which ,

characteristically vibrantsound.Set Oxford Baroque hasmarkedouta music ensemblesactivetoday, Bachtrack watch closely.” … Oxford Baroque isoneensembleto professional earlymusicspecialists … anexcitingset-upofyoung, theperformance enthusiasm permeated whose scholarship,musicianshipand “Ably directed byJeremy Summerly, Noëls surlesinstruments In nativitatemDominicanticum Messe deminuitpourNoël Charpentier Programme includes: get youintheChristmasspirit. this istheperfect introduction to to beanespeciallymagicalconcert, Box Office: www.sjss.org.uk

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Director: Ex Cathedra Ex Cathedra Director: Jeffrey Skidmore

Ex Cathedra believes in the power of singing to change lives. We aim to explore, research and commission the finest choral music, nurture talent, and set the highest standards of excellence in performance and training.

Programme includes: Xicochi conetzintle Fernandes Matais de Incêndios C17 Brazil Padre nosso Lobo de Mesquita Stille Nacht Gruber Twelfth Night Barber CHRISTMAS MUSIC Pastorcito Santo Rodrigo BY CANDLELIGHT The Call Panufnik In the stillness Beamish Alexander Mason organ And lo, the angel MacMillan Lynda Sayce guitar of the Lord Child of Son Roth This concert is aimed at the heart of Christmas. With a sequence “Brilliantly virtuosic and committed.” of music both old and new, and The Telegraph 16 December 7.30pm Tuesday readings to make you smile – and reflect – our popular Christmas “A phenomenal feat of musicianship.” concerts have become an SJSS The New Yorker tradition, and a uniquely magical Ex Cathedra is supported by way to begin your festive season. This year there is an international flavour and a special tribute to those involved in the conflict of World War I. This concert is sponsored by

Tickets: £35, £28, £22, £14 Box Office:020 7222 1061 10% discount for concessions www.sjss.org.uk Wednesday 17 December 7.30pm Director: StephenDarlington Christ Church Cathedral Choir, Oxford Tickets: £25,£20, £15,£10 A CELEBRATION OFCHRISTMAS programme ofsome ofthemost- the festivespiritthanwiththis What betterwaytogetinto Brit Award. for EMI,whichwonaClassical Goodall’s orchestras, recently recording collaborates withanumberof cathedral. Additionally, theChoir as wellsingingdailyinthe a prodigious recording schedule tours worldwideandundertakes versatility ofitssinging,theChoir right fortheexcellenceand Now worldfamousinitsown Thomas Wolsey VIII. andHenry just under500yearsagoby Cathedral, Oxford, wasfounded The ChoirofChristChurch Introduced byHowardGoodall music everwritten, performed by loved andbeautiful Christmas Eternal Light:ARequiem Eternal

the world.Theconcert ispresented one ofthegreatest cathedralchoirsin International RecordInternational Review and disciplineddirector.” “Superb tourdeforce underitsinsightful The SundayTimes rich, expressive performances.” “Hugely appealing…natural,spacious, Twelve daysofChristmas Little starofBethlehem Bethlehem Down In thebleakmidwinter A spotlessrose In dulcijubilo Once inRoyalDavid’s City Programme includes: and entertaining festiveform. by Howard Goodallininformative Box Office: www.sjss.org.uk 020 7222 1061

Bob Chilcott Ives Warlock Darke Howells Pearsall

Tenebrae Consort Director: Nigel Short

Tenebrae Consort is an outstanding group of musicians, with singers hand-picked from the award- winning chamber choir Tenebrae. Known for their instinctive ensemble skills, the singers are directed by Nigel Short who leads the group to attain music making of the highest quality. Tenebrae Consort aims to shed new interpretative light on works through the combination of both passion and precision, creating an intimate and unique concert experience. Programme includes: WHAT SWEETER Alleluya Wishart MUSIC Lullaby Byrd The Wassail Song Vaughan Williams The repertoire for this programme What sweeter music John Rutter falls into three categories: The Bethlehem star Bob Chilcott traditional carol arrangements, Away in a manger arr. Nigel Short original pieces composed for Christmas and some lighter Thursday 18 December 7.30pm close-harmony arrangements “Devastatingly beautiful” of Christmas favourites. From Gramophone the scene-setting simplicity of “Tenebrae are special … these were the Plainsong O come, O come exemplary performances, lucid, and Emmanuel to the stark beauty of so commanding it seemed as if singing Poulenc’s Quatre motets pour Noël, perfectly in tune was the most natural this selection of music captures the thing in the world.” true spirit of Christmas in all its various guises.

Tickets: £25, £20, £15, £10 Box Office:020 7222 1061 www.sjss.org.uk Friday 19 December 7.30pm Director: PeterPhillips The Tallis Scholars Tickets: £35,£28, £22,£14 Magnificat Ave verum Ave deipatrisfilia Mass forfivevoices Magnificat a5 Programme includes: It isthespectacularendofanera. in thismusiccouldgonofurther. buildings,thedecoration century Like thefanvaultinginlate15th- astonishing the wholeperiodcanrival However nothingwrittenin his though thesimplebeautyof of hismostintensecompositions, Byrd’s giant settingsoftheMagnificat, 16th century. Encasedbytwo music writteninEnglandthe the greatest (andmostdifficult) Our programme includessomeof AN ENGLISHRENAISSANCEFEAST Ave verum Mass forFiveVoices Magnificat Taverner is justasfamous.

by Turges. Turges Byrd Taverner Byrd isone

The NewYork Times vocal music.” “The rock starsofRenaissance The Telegraph humanly possible.” Scholars almostsurpassedthe “The soundcomingfrom TheTallis Box Office: sixteenth century gems. sixteenth century first centuries,inspired bythese works ofthetwentiethandtwenty of themedievalperiodandfestive Tallis, setalongsideearliercarols Greats, William Byrd andThomas of ChristmasmusicbytheTudor John’s SmithSquare. Aprogramme Choir Competition2014heldatSt A Cappella London International Renaissance polyphonyatthe out fortheirperformancesof Ben Rowarth)whowere singled the ensembleRenaissance(director minute concert-opentoallby Preceded at6.00pmbyafree 45 www.sjss.org.uk 020 7222 1061

Ensemble Plus Ultra

FROM TO ETERNITY The award winning Ensemble Plus box set of music by Tomás Luis Ultra make their St John’s Smith de Victoria won the Gramophone Square debut with a programme of Award for . music from the “Siglo de Oro”. With works from their new album Programme includes: on Deutsche Grammophon, Missa prudentes virgines Lobo marking the 400th anniversary Rex autem Tejeda of El Greco’s death, they perform O magnum mysterium Morales music from the Primatial Cathedral in Toledo. These were composed “The sound of quiet wonder and during the years El Greco lived and

authentic mystery.” Saturday 20 December 7.30pm worked in that city, by Cristóbal de The Boston Globe Morales, Alonso Lobo and Alonso de Tejeda. “A crack squad of the finest British early music singers.” Ensemble Plus Ultra was formed in Early Music Today 2001 and has become one of the world’s leading exponents of the “They embrace the performances music of Renaissance Spain. They with the enthusiastic sense of have toured widely in Europe and anything being possible.” North America, and their 10-disc Gramophone

Tickets: £25, £20, £15, £10 Box Office:020 7222 1061 10% discount for concessions www.sjss.org.uk Sunday 21 December 7.30pm National Youth MusicTheatre 10% discount forconcessions Tickets: £25,£20, £15,£10 the Great War centenary. Benjamin Till tocommemorate NYMT commissioned support ofArts Council England, Stilgoe. Thisyear, withthe andRichardDougal Irvine Ayckbourn, Howard Goodall, and composerssuchasAlan and performed from writers 40 newworkscommissioned to newwritinghasseenover and awards. Acommitment winning numerous accolades throughout theUKandabroad, productions havebeenseen National Youth MusicTheatre’s James Taylor, OBE,the Established in1976byJeremy A WINTERWONDERLAND Brass by by British Theatre Guide better form.” Youth MusicTheatre haseverbeenon is difficulttoimaginethattheNational “In itsillustrious37-yearhistory…it The NYMTOrchestra The NYMT2014Company&Alumni by: extracts performed Seasonal readings, musicandstaged Programme includes: in theworld”. “the finestyouthmusictheatre Andrew LloydWebber todubit through musicaltheatre, leading best inworkwithyoungpeople The NYMTrepresents thevery Box Office:

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The Choir of Trinity College Cambridge and OAE Conductor: Stephen Layton

B MINOR MASS The Choir of Trinity College Katherine Watson soprano Cambridge has established itself Iestyn Davies countertenor as one of the leading mixed-voice Gwilym Bowen tenor choirs in the world. In addition Neal Davies bass to singing the liturgy in the College Chapel, the Choir enjoys “Virtuoso is the right word. I for a programme of high-profile one can’t immediately think of performances and recordings, any more appropriate way of international tours and regular Monday 22 December 7.30pm describing singing of such staggering broadcasts. accomplishment.” After the sell-out success of its BBC Music Magazine recent Festival performances, “Spectacular … Stephen Layton the Choir again joins forces has inspired his singers to heights of with the Orchestra of the Age of magnificence.” Enlightenment, this time for the International Record Review B Minor Mass, one of Bach’s greatest choral works. Stephen Layton “A heavenly experience.” conducts and they are joined by The New York Times four outstanding soloists.

Tickets: £30, £25, £20, £10 Box Office:020 7222 1061 10% discount for concessions www.sjss.org.uk Tuesday 23 December 7.30pm Conductor: StephenLayton Polyphony Tickets: £55,£48, £39,£19 be anexhilaratingperformance. Enlightenment forwhatpromises to and theOrchestra of theAgeof up ofsoloistsjoinsStephenLayton interpretations. Aformidable line- to beoneofthesuperlative annual performanceisconsidered We are immenselyproud thatthis Stephen LaytonandPolyphony. at StJohn’s SmithSquare by of thefirstperformance This yearseesthe20thanniversary MESSIAH and OAE Messiah are ahighlightoftheseason.” St John’s SmithSquare performances Stephen Laytonwhoseannual great oratoriothanPolyphonyand “There are fewfinerexponentsofthis Early MusicToday of Layton’s conducting.” the sheerbrillianceofPolyphonyand “Wow! Words are inadequatetoconvey Stephen Layton.” choir Polyphonyundertheconductor Messiah bettereveryyearthanthe “No-one, butno-oneperforms basses.” “One oftheworld’s leadingHandelian Neal Davies Post the neck-hairs.” “Outstanding throughout …raised Gwilym Bowen voices intheworldtoday.” “One ofthemostgloriouscountertenor Iestyn Davies The NewYork Times phrasing totherole.” brought arosy voiceand alluring “The lovelysopranoKatherineWatson Katherine Watson Classic FMMagazine Box Office: Opera News bass www.sjss.org.uk

020 7222 1061 countertenor

Evening Standard tenor

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Booking and venue information St John’s Smith Square, London SW1P 3HA

Booking for all concerts opens to Friends of St John’s on 14 July and to the General Public on 21 July.

BOX OFFICE By telephone 020 7222 1061 Online www.sjss.org.uk Booking fees per transaction: £2.00 by telephone / £1.50 online

OPENING TIMES The Box Office is open from 10am-5pm (until 6pm on concert days) Monday to Saturday. Advance bookings cannot be made after 6pm or on Sundays/bank holidays. The Box Office will open at 6.30pm on Sunday 21 December to personal callers for that evening’s concert only.

SMITH SQUARE CAFÉ AND RESTAURANT is open for lunch Monday to Friday and on concert days from 5.30pm for dinner and licensed refreshments as well as post-concert suppers during December. Bookings: 020 7222 2779 or [email protected]

FACILITIES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

Please inform the Box Office at the time of booking if you will be using a wheelchair. All wheelchair spaces must be reserved at time of booking.

www.christmasfestivallondon.com 29TH ANNUAL Box Office Christmas Tel: 020 7222 1061 www.sjss.org.uk Festival St John’s Smith Square 11 - 23 December 2014

Thurs 11 December European Union Baroque Orchestra Fri 12 December The Choir of King’s College London Sat 13 December The Choir of Clare College, Cambridge Mon 15 December Oxford Baroque Tues 16 December Ex Cathedra Weds 17 December The Choir of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford Thurs 18 December Tenebrae Consort Fri 19 December The Tallis Scholars Sat 20 December Ensemble Plus Ultra Sun 21 December National Youth Music Theatre Mon 22 December The Choir of Trinity College Cambridge Tues 23 December Polyphony

“The No. 1 British Christmas Festival.” BBC Music Magazine “With so much festive music to choose from, the consistent quality of Stephen Layton’s choral festival is hard to beat.” Time Out

Festival Management: Nicholson Proud Ltd www.nicholsonproud.com Media and PR ElevenTenths www.eleventenths.co.uk

Director: Richard Heason Design: Aubrey Kurlansky Design www.aubreykurlansky.co.uk