Created especially for Blythburgh Church at dusk, this flow of music spans millennia and links two of the earliest female composers with classics of the choral repertoire.

Tom Coult’s new reimagining of music by the medieval abbess, Hildegard of Bingen, and the Byzantine mystic, Kassia, are a wonderful match for The Marian Consort’s interest in marrying ancient and contemporary musical influences into a new coherent whole.

The programme honours the sacred ritual and mysticism which is so central to the works it includes; in Daniel Pioro’s words, this event will create “one of those rare moments where the often-made connection between music and the Divine is totally appropriate”.

It is specially conceived for the magical space of Blythburgh Church, a venue first used by the Aldeburgh Festival in 1956 and the location of countless memorable occasions over the years.

Programme

Hildegard of Bingen arr. Tom Coult O Ecclesia (8’)

Hildegard of Bingen arr. Tom Coult O Euchari (Britten Pears Arts commission / first performance) (8’)

Kassia arr. Tom Coult Hymns of Kassiana (Britten Pears Arts commission / first performance) (16’)

Tavener Mother of God, Here I Stand (3’)

Arvo Pärt Morning Star (4’)

Arvo Pärt Da pacem Domine (3’)

Gaspar van Weerbeke Mater digna Dei (4’)

Jean L’héritier Ave domina mea (4’)

Josquin des Prez Ave Maria (6’)

Daniel Pioro