“O how glorious” - a concert of masses, madrigals and motets

A concert of masses, madrigals and motets

For the Spring 2019 concert, the South West London Choral Society will present a selection of some of the most haunting, soothing, uplifting and plaintive motets and madrigals from the Renaissance Era.

Drawing on works from a variety of composers from across the breadth of Europe, both celebrated names such as Palestrina, Byrd and Lassus, together with those (unjustly) relatively unknown, such as Jacobus Vaet and Luca Marenzio, we present several settings of the texts O quam gloriosum and Justorum animae. In spite of the uniformity of the text, the diversity of musical styles and ideas offered allows us to present a programme full of contrasts: the conservative and the radical, the celebratory and the reflective, the strong and the gentle.

 We will also be performing two glorious madrigals that also touch on a wide range of emotions: Thomas Weelkes’ rambunctiously joyful As Vesta was from Latmos hill descending (written in tribute to Queen Elizabeth I) and John Bennet’s devastatingly sorrowful Weep O mine eyes (arguably one of the most hauntingly beautiful of all the English madrigals). Rounding off the programme we unearth a rare treat: Hast thou not known? by a student of Vaughan-Williams, John Sykes.

 The concert takes place in the appropriately glorious setting of St. Anne’s Church, Wandsworth. All are welcome to attend, particularly younger fans of classical music, as under-15s are admitted free of charge. Tickets for adults are priced at £13.