The Tallis Scholars – Winter 2024 tour of North America and Canada

Concerts

5 December –  Miller Theatre, NY
6 December – Boston Early Music Festival, MA
8 December – Candlelight Concert Society, MD
9 December – St James’ Cathedral, Chicago, IL
12 December – Flato Markham Theatre, Markham ON
13 December – Ottawa Chamber Music Society, ON
14 December – Club Musical de Quebec, QC
15 December – Arte Musica, Montreal QC

Main tour programme

IN DULCI JUBILO
Solo monody (14th century): In dulci jubilo v.1
Hieronymous Praetorius: In dulci jubilo vv. 2 and 4
Plainchant by Hildegard von Bingen: In principio omnes
Obrecht: Salve regina
Plainchant by Hildegard: O virtus sapientiae
Lassus: Nunc dimittis ‘Il Magnanimo Pietro’
Pärt: Magnificat

—interval—

Plainchant by Hildegard: O ignis spiritus
Franco: Salve regina
Pärt: Da pacem
Plainchant by Hildegard: O ecclesia
Victoria: Salve regina (a 8)
Pearsall: In dulci jubilo

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 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