The Sixteen - Choral Pilgrimage 2022

The Sixteen’s Choral Pilgrimage is a powerful and emotional programme of English choral music. Centred around Hubert Parry's heartfelt Songs of Farewell, the tour also explores music by Campion, Howells, and award-winning composer Cecilia McDowall.

Hubert Parry’s Songs of Farewell must surely rank among some of the finest choral works ever written. Deeply affected by the First World War, Parry sought poetry that would reflect not only peace and unity and the search for a better world, but also an escape from the horrors of war.

The poems Parry chose to set are sublime, be they metaphysical poetry by John Donne and Henry Vaughan or the aching beauty of Thomas Campion’s verse. Perfectly complementing the rich sonority of Parry’s Songs are three short pieces by Campion, a selection of medieval carols and a new work by Cecilia McDowall.

 

Programme

Parry Songs of Farewell

mediaeval carol Deo gracias, Anglia

mediaeval carol Saint Thomas honour we

mediaeval carol O blessed Lord

mediaeval carol Benedicite Deo

Cecilia McDowall An Unexpected Shore

Campion Never, weather-beaten sail

Campion Author of light

Campion Tune thy music to thy heart

Howells Take him, earth for cherishing

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