Saturday December 7th, 2024, 1.00 pm
Unitarian Chapel, St Saviourgate, York YO1 8NQ
Presented by York Late Music
In Winter’s House
A journey from Joanna Marsh’s acclaimed In Winter’s House, through wintry landscapes evoked by Poulenc’s Un Soir de Neige, and Chilcott’s Rose in the Middle of Winter, leading to a to a foretaste of Christmas with Tallis, Praetorius, Bruckner and more. Yuletide cheer provided by Holst and Vaughan Williams.
We were also delighted to give the first performance of A Little Snow, a new setting of words by Emily Dickinson, written for the Micklegate Singers by local composer James Else.
Videte miraculum: Thomas Tallis
Virga Jesse floruit: Anton Bruckner
Wassail Song: Ralph Vaughan Williams
Bring us In Good Ale: Gustav Holst
In Winter’s House: Joanna Marsh
The Waiting Sky: Oliver Tarney
A Little Snow: James Else
Venite Gaudete: Adrian Peacock
Un Soir de Neige: Francis Poulenc
Resonet in laudibus: Michael Praetorius
The Rose in the middle of Winter: Bob Chilcott
Mrs Beeton’s Christmas Plum Pudding (Average Cost 3s & 6d): John Harle
God and the Universe: Charles Stanford
The Apotheosis of Apollo: Melissa Dunphy
Underneath the stars: Kate Rusby, arr. Jim Clements
Sicut Lilium: John Barber
Sicut Lilium inter Spinas: Antoine Brumel
With a Lily in your Hand: Eric Whitacre
En une seule fleur: Morten Lauridsen
Grandmother Moon: Eleanor Daley
Blue Moon: Richard Rogers arr. Blackwell
Stargazer: Alec Roth
Sing to the Moon: Laura Mvula
Mate Saule (Mother Sun): Petris Vasks
June 8th 2024, 1.00pm, at The Mount School, York
A Quaker Trilogy: from concept to completion
York Festival of Ideas Event
A Quaker Trilogy grew from a concept to inspire young composers at the beginning of their careers by offering funds for the commission of three pieces for the Micklegate Singers. The brief was simple: the composers could choose whichever words they felt they wanted to work with from a passage written by William Penn that is often read at Quaker memorial meetings. The fruits of their labours have proved to be a challenge for the choir, but the pieces are all remarkable, and each has been loved by the choir in rehearsal and by the audiences at their respective first performances.
The three composers (David McGregor, Joe Bates, and Frederick Viner) were given an opportunity to tell us what the appeal of the text was, how they selected which words to set, and what musical thoughts and construction techniques lay behind their compositions.
The three pieces comprising A Quaker Trilogy, now published by University of York Music Press, were performed by the Micklegate Singers, under their Musical Director, Nicholas Carter.
March 23rd 2024, 7.30pm, at St Lawrence’s Church, Lawrence Street , York
Beyond the World
Manuel Cardoso: Et Egressus Est A Filia Sion
Ivo Antognini: Lux Aeterna
James Whitbourn: He carried me away in the Spirit
James MacMillan: Who shall separate us?
Matthew Martin: Mass of St Dominic
Ben Parry: Lighten our Darkness
Herbert Howells: Haec Dies
William Byrd: Haec Dies
A Quaker Trilogy:
Frederick Viner: The truest end
David McGregor: They that love
Joe Bates: Absence
December 2nd 2023, 1pm Unitarian Chapel, St Saviourgate, York, YO1 8NQ.
AFTER BYRD
Thomas Weelkes: Gloria in excelsis Deo
Anna Thorvaldsdottir: Heyr þú oss himnum á
Sergei Rachmaninov: Izhe kheruvimy (The Cherubic Hymn)
Chris Sketchley: Tristitia vestra (First performance)
Roxanna Panufnik: Kyrie after Byrd
Thomas Weelkes: Hosanna to the son of David
Roderick Williams: Byrd’s Ave Verum Corpus re-imagined
Sergei Rachmaninov: Bogoroditsye Dyevo
William Byrd: Lullaby, my sweet little baby
Michael Praetorius: Wachet auf
Kerensa Briggs: A tender shoot
Sally Beamish: In the Stillness
William Byrd: Laudibus in sanctis
July 1st 2023, 7.30 St Columba’s Church Priory Street , York
GRASS ROOTS
Richard Allain: Didn't my Lord deliver Daniel
Moses Hogan: The Battle Of Jericho
Bob Chilcott: Steal Away
Gustav Holst: 6 Choral Folksongs
Jonathan Dove: Who Killed Cock Robin?
Henry VIII (arr. Swingle) Pastime With Good Company
Philip Wilby: Marianne
Philip Wilby: Byker Hill
Ralph Vaughan Williams: Ca' The Yowes
Moses Hogan: Elijah Rock
April 1 2023, 7.30pm. St Lawrence Church, Lawrence St. York
OF LOVE AND LOSS
Ronald Corp: Forever Child
Ralph Vaughan Williams: Rest
Thomas Tomkins: When David heard
Tomas Luis de Victoria: Versa est in luctum
Frederick Viner: The Truest End (Micklegate Singers commission – first performance)
James MacMillan: So Deep
Pierre Passereau: Il est bel et bon
Howard Goodall: The Star of the County Down (arr.)
Ward Swingle: It Was A Lover And His Lass
Eric Whitacre: A Boy and a Girl
Billy Joel (arr: Bob Chilcott): And So It Goes
Josef Rheinberger: Abendlied
Richard Rodney Bennett: A Good-Night
Saturday December 3rd 2022 1pm. York Unitarian Chapel presented by York Late Music
AND THERE WERE SHEPHERDS……
Rorate cœli desuper: Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina
BC: AD - This was the moment: David Bednall
Quem vidistis, pastores? : Orlande de Lassus
This have I done for my true love: Gustav Holst
The Road of Evening (composed for the Micklegate Singers; first performance): James Else
Wellcome, all Wonders in one Sight: Jonathan Dove
Quem vidistis, pastores? : Richard Dering
Absence (commissioned for the Micklegate Singers; first performance): Joe Bates
Quem vidistis pastores dicite: Francis Poulenc
The Shepherd’s Carol: Bob Chilcott
A Hymn of the Nativity: Kenneth Leighton
Epiphany Carol: Alexander L’Estrange
Gloria, Gloria: Richard Rodney Bennett
Now may we singen: Cecilia McDowall
Saturday 2nd July 2022. 7.30pm, St Michael le Belfry, York
ELEMENTAL FORCES
Three Spiritual Nocturnes: Peter Klatzow
SANCTUS: London: Ola Gjeilo
The Hills: John Ireland
O Wild West Wind: Edward Elgar
The Dove Descending: Peter Moger Composed for the Micklegate Singers - first performance
The Shadows: Herbert Howells
Weary Wind of the West: Edward Elgar
Yver, vous n’estes qu’un villain: Claude Debussy
Spring, the Sweet Spring: EJ Moeran
The Spring Time of the Year: Ralph Vaughan Williams
The World on Fire: Phillip A Cooke
Pure River of Life: James Whitbourn
Deux Chœurs, Op 68: Camille Saint-Saëns
Autumn: Jussi Chydenius
Autumn Leaves: Joseph Kosma arr. Andrew Carter
Over Hill, Over Dale: Ralph Vaughan Williams
Saturday April 2nd, 2022. 7.30pm at the National Centre for Early Music, Walmgate, York
STAR OF THE SEA
Missa Sancta Maria: Duarte Lobo
Splendid Jewel: Stephen Paulus
Ave Maris Stella: Tomás Luis de Victoria
Ave Maris Stella: Edvard Grieg
They that love beyond the World: David McGregor Commissioned for the Micklegate Singers (First performance)
Save Regina: Pierre Villette
Hortus Conclusus: Rodrigo de Ceballos
Ave Regina: Cecilia McDowell
Ave Regina Caelorum: Alonso Lobo
Ave Regina Caelorum: Peter Philips
Regina Caeli: Cecilia McDowell
Saturday Nov 30th, 2019. 7.30 in the Unitarian Chapel, St Saviourgate, York
IMMORTAL FIRE
Cantantibus Organis: Luca Marenzio
Hymn to Saint Cecilia: Benjamin Britten
St Cecilia Missa Brevis: Nicholas Carter
Verses on St Cecilia’s Day: Richard Rodney Bennet
Cecilia Virgo: Gabriel Jackson
Cantantibus Organis: Peter Philips
O Sapientia: Robert Ramsey
O Radix Jesse: Rihards Dubra
O Oriens: Cecilia McDowall
O Emmanuel: Eriks Ešenvalds
O Adonai: Paweł Łukaszewski
Cantantibus Organis: Philippe Rogier
Saturday July 13th, 2019. 7.30 in the church of St Michael le Belfrey, York
A LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS
Mass in G: Francis Poulenc
Christe qui lux es et dies (III): Robert White
Christe qui lux es et dies: William Byrd
Christe qui lux es et dies (IV): Robert White
O nata lux de lumine: Thomas Tallis
O Light of Light: Harry Escott
Night Prayer: Alec Roth
I will lift up my eyes unto the hills: David Briggs
I’ll Make Music: Karl Jenkins
Simple Pictures of Tomorrow: Robert Chilcott
Psalme 150: Kerry Andrew
Saturday March 30th, 2019. 7.30pm at St Olave’s Church, Marygate, York
IN THE BEGINNING
I am the day: Jonathan Dove
The First World: Geoffrey Burgon
In the Beginning: Aaron Copland
Which was the Son Of: Arvo Pärt
Motet for Passion Sunday: Frank Ferko
Deus, Deus Meus (Westminster Mass): Roxanna Panufnik
Attollite Portas: William Byrd
Alpha and Omega: James MacMillan
Saturday Dec. 1st, 2018. 7.30 at the Citadel, Gillygate, York
LIGHTS OUT
Three Songs of Remembrance: David Bednall
Trois Chansons de Guerre: Frank Ferko
Laboravi in Gemitu Meo: Thomas Weelkes
Heu mihi, Domine: Francisco Guerrero
Laboravi in Gemitu Meo: Philippe Rogier
My Soul, There is a Country (Songs of Farewell): Hubert Parry
Bring us, O Lord God: William H Harris
Bring us, O Lord God: James MacMillan
Companions of the Lord: Philip Wilby
Valiant for Truth: Ralph Vaughan Williams
Rest: Ken Burton
Saturday 7th March 2018. 1.00pm in the Unitarian Chapel, St Saviourgate, York
YORK CONNECTIONS
O Praise God in his Holiness: Andrew Carter
Let all mortal flesh keep silence: Edward Bairstow
A Hymn to God the Father: Francis Jackson
Laudate Deum omnes Angeli: John Scott Whiteley
Evening Prayers of Dietrich Bonhoeffer: Philip Moore
Time is: James Else
Henry Purcell: Hannah Loach
Sweet and Low: Thomas Tertius Noble
Lullaby for the Witching Hour: Kerry Andrew
Sings her blessings: Emily Crossland
A Drop Fell (commissioned for the Micklegate Singers - first performance): Rose Miranda Hall
Ode to a Pill: Francis Jackson
Two for the Price of One: Andrew Carter
Saturday November 25th, 2017. 7.30pm in St Olave’s Church, Marygate, York
MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE
Psalm 150: Ippolito Baccusi
Pater Noster: Giovanni da Palestrina
Pater Noster: Giuseppe Verdi
Otche Nash (Our Father): Sergei Rachmaninov
Pater Noster: Igor Stravinsky
Otche Nash (Our Father): Nicolay Kedrov
Unicornis Captivatur: Ola Gjeilo
Jauchzet dem Herrn, alle Welt: Heinrich Schütz
Pater Noster: Jacob Handl
Notre Père: Maurice Duruflé
Notre Père d’Aix: Pierre Villette
Pseume 150: Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck
Song of the Crib: Bob Chilcott
Bulalulow: Francis Pott
The King of Blis: John Rutter
Saturday July 1st, 2017. 7.30pm in St Wilfrid’s Church, Duncombe Place, York
GREAT WORKS OF GOD
Missa Rigensis: Uğis Prauliņš
Prelude: Ola Gjeilo
Loquebantur variis linguis: Peter Philips
Loquebantur variis linguis: Thomas Tallis
Laudibus in sanctis: William Byrd
Omnes gentes plaudite: Christopher Tye
O Clap Your Hands: Orlando Gibbons
Ave verum corpus: William Byrd
Benedictio: Urmas Sisask
Saturday March 25th, 2017. 7.30pm at the National Centre for Early Music
WATER NIGHT
Seven Poems of Robert Bridges: Gerald Finzi
The Shower: Edward Elgar
Full Fathom Five (Three Shakespeare Songs): Ralph Vaughan Williams
To be sung on the Water: Samuel Barber
Geographical Fugue: Ernst Toch
Water Night: Eric Whitacre
Rivers of Light: Ēriks Ešenvalds
The Negro Speaks of Rivers: Craig McLeish
Saturday December 3rd, 2016. 7.30pm in St Olave’s Church, Marygate, York
O RADIANT DAWN
Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland
Mirabile mysterium: Jacob Handl (Gallus)
O Heiland, reiss die Himmel auf: Johannes Brahms
Virga Jesse: Anton Bruckner
Seven Magnificat Antiphons: Arvo Pärt
O Clavis David: Gabriel Jackson
O Oriens: Cecilia McDowall
O Radiant Dawn: James MacMillan
O Rex Gentium: Matthew Martin
Det är en ros utsprungen: Michael Praetorius/Jan Sandström
Magnificat Quinti Toni: Hieronymus Praetorius
Saturday July 2nd 2016. 7.70pm in St Olave’s Church, York
HEARTS AND FLOWERS
Four Estonian Lullabies: Veljo Tormis
The Full Heart: Peter Warlock
Yugoslav Folk-Songs: Mátyás Seiber
Jaanilaul: Veljo Tormis
Now Sleeps the Crimson Petal: Paul Mealor
Tykus Tykus: Vaclovas Augustinas
Shenandoah & Frog went a-courtin’ (from Five American Folfsongs): arr. Daryl Runswick
Saturday March 12, 2016. 7.30pm in the Unitarian Chapel, St Saviourgate, York
ALLELUIAH, HE IS RISEN
Woefully Arrayed: William Cornish
Woefully Arrayed: John McCabe
O Tod, wie bitter bist du: Max Reger
Maria Magdalena: Francisco Guerrero
Surrexit Pastor Bonus: Jehan L’Heritier
Regina Caeli a 8: Felice Anerio
Regina Caeli: Cecilia McDowall
Surgens Iesus: Peter Philips
Alleluiah: Eric Whitacre
Ego Sum Resurrectio: Hans Leo Hassler
Christus Resurgens: Peter Philips
Saturday November 28th, 2015. 7.30pm in St Wilfrid’s Church, York
SPLENDID JEWEL
Magnificat Primi Toni: Tomás Luis de Victoria
I Beheld Her, Beautiful as a Dove: Healey Willan
Fair in Face: Healey Willan
Rise Up, My Love, My Fair One: Healey Willan
Splendid Jewel: Stephen Paulus
Song to the Virgin Mary: Andrzej Panufnik
Magnificat: Giles Swayne
Ave Maria a 8: Giovanni da Palestrina
Ave Maris Stella: Lajos Bárdos
A Hymn to the Virgin: Francis Pott
Ave Regina: Cecilia McDowall
Ave Maria: Robert Parsons
Salve Regina: Tomás Luis de Victoria
Saturday July 4th, 2015. 7.30pm in the Chapel of York St John University
THE SUN AND STARS
Che fa oggi il mio sole?: Luca Marenzio
Missa “Che fa oggi il mio sole?”: Gregorio Allegri
The Spheres: Ola Gjeilo
Die Nachtigal; Ruhetal; Jagdlied (Lieder im Freien zu Singen op 59): Felix Mendelssohn
Stars: Ēriks Ešenvalds
Goe and Catche a Falling Star: Betty Roe
Songs for Double Chorus op 141: Robert Schumann
Saturday March 21st 2015. 7.30pm at the National Centre for Early Music
REFORMATION AND REVIVAL
Sancte Deus: Thomas Tallis
Mass in G minor: Ralph Vaughan Wiliams
Tunes for Archbishop Parker’s Psalter: Thomas Tallis
Iustorum Animae: Charles Villiers Stanford
Iustorum Animae: William Byrd
Beati quorum via: Charles Villiers Stanford
Beati quorum via: James Lavino
Ne Irascaris: William Byrd
Saturday November 22nd, 2014. 7.30pm in St Denys’ Church, Walmgate, York
STANDING AS I DO BEFORE GOD
Standing as I do before God: Cecilia McDowall
Lamentations of Jeremiah: Alonso Lobo
Versa est in luctum: Alonso Lobo
Songs of Farewell: Hubert Parry
Saturday 5th July, 2014. 7.30pm at the National Centre for Early Music, York
SONGS AND STORIES
Missa Ego Flos Campi: Juan Gutiérrez de Padilla
Songs of Ariel: Frank Martin
Veni, Dilecte Mi!: Wolfram Buchenburg
The Conversion of Saul: Z Randall Stroope
Song Cycle: James Else
Vidi Speciosam : Tomás Luis de Victoria
Many Stories : John Morgan
Jabberwocky : Säde Rissanen
Pseudo-Yoik : Jaako Mäntyjärvi
Saturday 29th March, 2014. 7.30pm in the Unitarian Chapel, St Saviourgate, York
THE ALABASTER BOX
A Canterbury Mass: Cecilia McDowall
Attende Domine: Pierre Villette
Crux Fidelis: formerly attributed to John IV of Portugal
Vexilla Regis Prodeunt: Anton Bruckner
A Litany: William Walton
The Woman with the Alabaster Box: Arvo Pärt
Two Lenten motets: Paweł Łukaszewski
Were You There? : arranged by Bob Chilcott
Tenebrae Responsories : Tomás Luis de Victoria
O Crux Ave : Rihards Dubra
Saturday November 23rd, 2014. 7.30pm in Holy Trinity Church, Micklegate, York
THE LIGHT PROGRAMME
Lumen: traditional plainsong
Missa Ascendens Christus in Altum: Tomás Luis de Victoria
O Nata Lux: William Matthias
O Nata Lux: Thomas Tallis
O Nata Lux: Morten Lauridsen
Hail Gladdening Light: David Bednall
A Hymn to the Virgin: Benjamin Britten
Lux Aeterna: Edwin Fissinger
Hail, Gladdening Light: Victor Kallinikov
Lux Aurumque: Eric Whitacre
Benedictio: Urmas Sisask
Saturday July 6th, 2013. 7.30pm in Holy Trinity Church, Micklegate, York
TIME TO DREAM
To Morning: Gabriel Jackson
Hosanna to the Son of David: Orlando Gibbons
Hosanna to the Son of David: Thomas Weelkes
O Sacrum Convivium: Thomas Tallis
Three New Motets: Steven Stucky
I Had No Time To Hate: Tarik O’Regan
Even Such is Time: Bob Chilcott
Te Lucis Ante Terminum (ferial): Thomas Tallis
Rorate Caeli: William Byrd
Philomela: Toby Wardman
Long Road: Ēriks Ešenvalds
The Lord Bless You and Keep You: Hannah Loach
Te Lucis Ante Terminum (festal): Thomas Tallis
Had I not Seen the Sun: Tarik O’Regan
Leonardo Dreams of his Flying Machine: Eric Whitacre
Saturday 23 March 2013. 7.30pm in the Unitarian Chapel, St Saviourgate, York
TIME IS ENDLESS
Missa Salve Regina: Tomás Luis de Victoria
The Long Day Closes: Arthur Sullivan
The Day is Done: Stephen Paulus
The Summer is Coming: Herbert Howells
Time is (written for the Micklegate Singers -first performance): James Else
Evening: Ēriks Ešenvalds
Tal Vez Tenemos Tiempo: Tarik O’Regan
Madrigāls: Pēteris Vasks
Time is endless: Vytautas Miškinis
Saturday 24 November 2012. 7.30pm in the Quire of York Minster
A TIME FOR SILENCE
Messe pour Notre-Dame: David Briggs
The Souls of the Righteous: David Bednall
Nunc Dimittis: Paweł Łukaszewski
Lament: Francis Pott
Exhortation & Kohima: John Tavener
They Are At Rest: Edward Elgar
Song of the Crib (Commisioned for the Micklegate Singers - first performance): Bob Chilcott
Dum Medium Silentium: Vytautas Miškinis
Saturday 7 July, 2012. 8pm in the Unitarian Chapel, St Saviourgate, York
THE MODERN MAN I SING
O nata lux; Opening prayer; Before the ending of the day (Dusk Songs): Kerry Andrew
Missa Brevis: Richard Rodney Bennett
Ave Generosa: Margaret Rizza
Lorca Suite—Einojuhani Rautavaara
We watch’d her breathing: Colin Brumby
Christus est stella: Will Todd
Three English Folksongs: Betty Roe
Ubi caritas: Paul Mealor
The Modern Man I Sing: Bob Chilcott
Saturday 31 March 2012, 8pm in the Chapter House of York Minster
LOVE AND MARRIAGE
Ubi caritas et amor: Maurice Duruflé
hope, faith, life, love: Eric Whitacre
Love on my heart from heaven fell: David Hill
Set me as a seal upon thine heart: William Walton
A Boy and a Girl: Eric Whitacre
Soldier, soldier; The Gipsy’s Wedding Day: Percy Grainger
Klangfelder Raumschwingungen Oszillationen: Wolfram Buchenberg
It was a lover and his lass; L’amour de moi: Ward Swingle
Ubi caritas: Paul Mealor
This Marriage: Eric Whitacre
Song (I gaze upon you): Gabriel Jackson
Mae ’nghariad i’n Fenws: Gustav Holst
The Lord Bless You and Keep You: Hannah Loach
Ubi caritas: John Harper
Saturday 26 November, 2011. 8pm in the Unitarian Chapel, St Saviourgate, York
AUTUMN LANDSCAPES
To Morning: Gabriel Jackson
Laetentur Coeli: William Byrd
Ego Flos Campi: Jacob Clemens non Papa
Water Night: Eric Whitacre
Threshold of Night: Tarik O’Regan
Sügismaastikud (Autumn Landscapes): Veljo Tormis
O Sapientia: Pawel Łukaszewski
O beatum et sacrosanctum diem; O nomen Jesu: Peter Philips
Salve Regina: Gabriel Jackson
Ave Maria: Javier Busto
Ave Regina Caelorum: Peter Philips
Ave Maria III: Vytautas Miškinis
Alma redemptoris mater à 8: Tomás Luis de Victoria
Saturday 2nd July 2011 at 8pm in the Salvation Army Citadel, Gillygate
SHEPHERDS AND SHANTIES
Phyllida and Corydon: Ernest Moeran
The Wee Wee Man: Vagn Holmboe
Greek Folk Songs: Arnold Bax
The Drunken Sailor: John Morgan
House Carpenter: John Morgan
Chansons Françaises: Francis Poulenc
Saturday 26 March, 8pm in the Chapter House of York Minster
NOW AND THEN
Exsultate Deo: Giovanni Perluigi da Palestrina
Jesu, Dulcis Memoria: Peter Wishart
Jesu, Dulcis Memoria: Tomás Luis de Victoria (attrib.)
Into Thy Hands: Jonathan Dove
In Manus Tuas: Richard Sheppard
Timor et Tremor: Francis Poulenc
Timor et Tremor: Orlando di Lasso
O Vos Omnes: Pablo Casals
O Vos Omnes: Carlo Gesualdo da Venosa
When David Heard: Thomas Weelkes
When David Heard: Thomas Tomkins
Absolon, my Son: Jonathan Rathbone
O Salutaris Hostia: Giacchino Rossini
O Salutaris Hostia: Thomas Tallis
Exsultate Deo: Francis Poulenc
Saturday 27 November 2010, 8pm in the Unitarian Chapel, St Saviourgate
OF A ROSE IS ALL MY SONG
O Magnum Mysterium: Tomás Luis de Victoria
Missa ‘O Magnum Mysterium’: Tomás Luis de Victoria
Ave Maria: Josquin des Prez
Ave Maria: Paweł Łukaszewski
Salve Regina: John Harper
Regina Caeli: Herbert Howells
Regina Caeli: Orlando di Lasso
Alma Redemptoris Mater: Giovanni Perluigi da Palestrina
Of a Rose: Marcus Huxley
There is no Rose: Richard Rodney Bennet
Of a Rose is all my Song: Kenneth Leighton
There is no Rose: Steve Martland