To Shorten Winter's Sadness - an early English Christmas

In the darkness of winter, we look for the light. We get together for religious reflection, to share supper, to feast and have fun into the night – tomorrow will be a brighter day!

Composers throughout time have captured in their compositions these spiritual, sacred and secular occasions – and to mark the 400th anniversary of Byrd’s and Weelkes’ deaths this year, Orlando Chamber Choir focuses on the sound of an early English Christmas. Byrd’s splendid polyphony, and that of his teacher Tallis, accompany the annunciation and the birth of Christ, to which Philips adds triumphant trumpets and a choir of angels. Dering intones the shepherds' travels, and Sheppard gives glorious voices to the magi’s veneration.

Praetorius’s Lo, how a rose, set in the people’s language rather than that of the Church, leads us gently towards more secular celebrations; and Sandstöm’s contemporary setting of the same tune transports the party to the concert day – which is where you join in with the audience carols!

Our programme is framed by earthly secular works about feasts and further falala – with wine and mince pies in the interval.