Concerts & Workshops

This is the events page for the previous season, 2003/4. Please bear in mind that these events are no longer valid. If you wish to check this season's calendar, please use the link for coming events below.

Current and coming events

Past seasons

2003-4

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The Thistle & The Rose

Rich, rare and uplifting music from Scotland's 'Carver Choirbook' to mark the 500th anniversary of the marriage of James IV, King of Scotland, to Princess Margaret Tudor in 1503 - the alliance of 'the Thistle and the Rose'. As well as the first complete performances in modern times of the stunningly inventive anonymous Mass "Shining pillars of sound" The Herald Deus Creator Omnium, you can hear the highly virtuoso Mass for Three Voices attributed to Robert Carver himself, the motet Anima mea liquefacta est (text from the Song of Solomon), and a truly celebratory setting of the Magnificat. This concert launches Cappella Nova's eighth CD of early Scottish music on the ASV Gaudeamus label. Come and celebrate with us!

A Scottish Ladymass

Luminous plainchant and polyphony from 13th-century Scotland is combined in this little jewel of a programme, "The virtuoso female offshoot from Cappella Nova" The Guardian loosely structured like a Mass in honour of the Virgin Mary as it might have been heard by Robert the Bruce in one of the many Lady Chapels in St Andrews. Canty, joined by medieval harpist William Taylor, presents a special short programme as a prelude to making the world premiere recording of this wonderful repertoire for a CD to be released in 2004.

Carols by Candlelight

Our evergreen Christmas concert combines the very finest festive music in a seasonal programme featuring the virtuoso voices of Cappella Nova and the wit and sparkle of regular special guests, "So what is so special about Cappella Nova's Christmas concerts? - in a word, everything!" The Herald First Brass! Old and new Christmas music, traditional carols, close-harmony favourites, carols for audience and a few surprises, including a brand-new carol written specially for the occasion by Sheena Phillips, combine in a sophisticated, celebratory blend to launch the festive season. The best seats go quickly, so don't risk disappointment by waiting to book.

A Time for Peace

Two composers join hands in spirit across 500 years. One of the greatest masters of renaissance music, Josquin de Pres, based an exquisite Mass setting on the melody of the plainsong hymn Pange lingua. "Richly textured harmonies and vivid imagery" THE SCOTSMAN (re: Robert Kyr's Into the Hour of New Life) American composer and constant campaigner for peace, Robert Kyr, uses Josquin's gorgeous polyphony as the inspiration for a new work, modelled on the form of a Mass. Kyr has selected magical and moving texts from world religions and philosophies, and has set them to powerful, lyrical music of great harmonic beauty and richness. A Time for Peace receives its world premiere performances alongside Josquin's Missa Pange lingua.

Scottish audiences and critics were captivated by our performances of Kyr's Into the Hour of New Life a couple of years ago, and it is our privilege to offer more of his music to you. "Cappella Nova comes up with clever programmes that are performed with style and imagination" THE DAILY TELEGRAPH Here's an unmissable opportunity to hear glorious sounds from the heart of an outstanding composer of today who embraces and celebrates the values of the past.

The Tears of St Peter

A musical meditation for Holy week featuring part of the deeply moving cycle of spiritual 'madrigals' by Roland de Lassus, in which secular and sacred styles blend to explore the drama of the Passion. "Cappella Nova can always be relied upon to dig up intriguing music from the past and present it with an appropriate mix of reverence and sense of context" The Scotsman Lassus takes us on a profoundly personal journey with St Peter, through his relationship to Christ and his remorse, despair and final redeeming hope after betraying the great teacher, all expressed in the most sublime part-writing and harmony.

The composer's swansong, only published after his death, the Lagrime di San Pietro will be sung in the original Italian by seven voices from Cappella Nova, and interwoven with Gregorian chant for Holy Week sung by the Aberdeen Schola (7 April), directed by Roger B Williams, and the Scottish Plainsong Choir (8, 9 & 10 April), directed by Alan Tavener.

Miracles of Medieval Spain

Miracle stories and songs of love and praise in the style of the troubadours combine in the great 13th-century anthology Cantigas di Santa Maria, collected by Alfonso X, 'El Sabio' (The Wise). "Cappella Nova not only regularly excavate great works but perform them with great sensitivity and passion" Metro This original programme ricochets lustily between earth and heaven, including an entertaining and vigorous selection of Cantigas alongside pilgrim ditties from the Llibre Vermell (bawdy songs given spiritual words!), gorgeous, exalted polyphony from the manuscript Las Huelgas, and the first performances in modern times of some unique plainchant and jaunty hymns from medieval Spain. Harpist extraordinaire Bill Taylor adds instrumental colour along with the singers doubling on portative organ, recorders, bells and percussion.

Why not come and be part of the 'singing audience' by first attending one of the workshops (details below)?

Workshops

Come on, have a go! Everyone's welcome at our workshops led by Alan and Rebecca Tavener, co-artistic directors of Cappella Nova. Venues are in city centres close to public transport and full details are supplied at the time of booking - and, yes, advance booking is essential.

1. Cappella Nova 'Discovery Days'

Here's an invitation to 'dip your toe' into our work! Led by four singers from Cappella Nova with director, Alan Tavener and composer, Tommy Fowler, you'll be doing some singing for fun; discussing what makes a good programme; trying out some medieval music; telling us what you like to sing and hear; being a 'fly on the wall' as we do a mini-rehearsal/performance; as well as helping Tommy and the quartet write and perform a new piece as the 'grand finale'. All are welcome. Bring your voice, your views and a pencil!

Funded by the Scottish Arts Council National Lottery Education Demonstration Project scheme. Aberdeen workshop in association with Aberdeen University Music.

2. Scottish Plainsong Choir

The Scottish Plainsong Choir is an 'ad hoc' group specially organised by Cappella Nova to sing chant in some of our unique programmes of early music. The choir includes singers of all levels of experience from right across Scotland, and anyone can join. Plainsong Choir sessions are free to participants who commit to the whole project. It is very important to book in advance as numbers are limited, so please act early! In the current season, the group will take part in the Tears of St Peter performances in April. Singers in the north have the opportunity to join the Aberdeen Schola. All voices, male or female, are welcome in this mixed group. Rehearsals will take place in March and April. If you would like to have more details about how to get involved, or would just like to ask a question or two, call us on 0141 552 0634.

3. Spanish Medieval Music

Have fun singing the choruses to some of the Cantigas di Santa Maria and other good stuff from 13th-century Spain. You will have the chance to enjoy some music that has never been performed in modern times, and you can prepare to join in as part of the audience in one of the performances. There will be one-off afternoon workshops in Aberdeen, Dundee, Glasgow and Edinburgh (from 2.00pm to 5.00pm) in May and June. For further details, contact us.