Sunday, February 18th, time TBC : Vancouver Viols
The viol (rhymes with ‘mile’) is a gentle-sounding instrument that was a popular from the 15th to the 18th century. During this period music for viol consorts was generally written for groups of two to six players, and Vancouver Viols brings this music to live, complete in period clothing.
While the viol originated hundreds of years ago, it remains part of a vibrant living tradition of professional & amateur players, composers, and enthusiasts. In this distinctive programme at St James’, five local musicians come together to explore the full potential of the instrument - from the rich relentlessness of JS Bach’s “Passacaglia in C minor,” and the playfulness of Christopher Tye’s “In Nomine: Crye,” in which the instruments imitate the shouts of a street vendor, to the sheer joy of Marc-Antoine Charpentier’s “Agnus Dei,” in a new arrangement by local organist David Poon. You will experience early music on period instruments accompanied by lots of interesting stories about composers, styles, and the instruments themselves.
A concert not to be missed!
Tickets : strings.stjames.bc.ca
Wednesday, April 11th, at 7:30pm : The Choir of Royal Holloway
In a rare Vancouver appearance, respected Director of Music, Rupert Gough, will lead The Choir of Royal Holloway ( University of London ) in a mixed programme of repertoire from across the centuries.
The Choir of Royal Holloway, is one of the finest mixed-voice collegiate choirs in Britain, and their recordings have attracted top reviews from all major music publications. Their most recent album, Winter Songs, released in November 2017, was named the Album of the Week by UK’s radio station ClassicFM, commenting : ‘Ethereal yet tangible, this is music with wide appeal; music of purity and beauty; music at once restful and uplifting.’
The Choir of Royal Holloway has toured most European countries, appeared in Beijing, and has broadcast on radio and television all over the world. During 2016 the choir toured the US and Canada, including performances in the cathedrals of Toronto and Chicago, Cornell University and Grace Church, New York City.
For their performance at St James’ Anglican Church, the choir will perform works by European composers spanning four centuries, including William Byrd, Orlando Gibbons, as well as René Clausen, Stephen Paulus, and Ola Gjeilo.
“Choral singing at its most elegantly fashioned... stunningly delivered in terms of tonal quality and technical brilliance under Rupert Gough's unobtrusive direction" — The Birmingham Post
Please be sure to purchase your ticket early to avoid disappointment, as these concerts tend to sell out.
Tickets : ukchoir.stjames.bc.ca