Concerts & Workshops

This is the events page for the previous season, 2004/5. Please bear in mind that these events are no longer valid.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

2004-5

For regular updates about workshops, concerts, touring, recording and news of group discounts, join our free mailing list by submitting the form on this website.

Music from the Sistine Chapel... and beyond

The musical equivalent of Michelangelo’s stunning frescos, the magnificent repertoire of the papal choir comes to Scotland, with contrasts in scale from the most refined and intimately spiritual plainchant, to the richly magnificent sound of 12-part polyphony. This glorious programme also includes lovely, more recent works from composers inspired by Gregorian Chant, including Duruflé’s gorgeous motets, and the world premiere of a brief little gem by Andrew Smith: Lux illuxit laetabunda. To top it all, hear the amazing Allegri Miserere, complete with the famous soaring embellishments added by the Papal Choir, seeming to ascend almost as far as the very heavens.

Allegri Miserere
Motets for 12 voices by Palestrina
Gregorian Chant
Duruflé Motets on Gregorian Themes

Carols by Candlelight

Not to be missed, our annual festive event returns with a Russian theme. Besides our uniquely special mix of nostalgia and novelty, traditional favourites, and carols for audience, watch out for some wonderful new repertoire, full of magic, mystery and fun: including a new carol by Peter McGarr, ancient chant from Russian monasteries, and Tchaikovsky as you’ve never heard him before!

We will share the platform in Glasgow and Edinburgh with a superb brass quintet, sparkling all the way from the land of the Tsars,... St Petersburg Baroque Brass.

In Scone Palace, we will be joined by the exquisite tones of the concert harp, played by Catriona McKay.

Flame of Ireland
Medieval Irish plainchant for St Brigit of Kildare

Marking the launch of Canty’s long-awaited new CD, our critically acclaimed medieval specialists present the world premiere in modern times of an Irish notated Office, celebrating the most mysterious and intriguing of all Celtic saints: Brigit of Kildare. In this feast of unique Irish plainchant, we hear about her many vivid legends and colourful miracles, told in music as they would have been in Ireland in the middle-ages. She turned water into strong ale, was followed just about everywhere by holy fire, and was even ordained as a bishop! If you want to know more, join us for this glimpse into the world of Celtic spirituality.

Canty (the female voices of Cappella Nova)
William Taylor (medieval wire-strung clarsach)

Light of the World
Renaissance motets from Portugal and Spain
Gregorian Chant for the liturgies of Holy Week

Our annual musical meditation returns with eight singers from Cappella Nova singing a finely crafted blend of Renaissance polyphony, plainsong, and inspirational new music. We will give the world premieres of two magical new works by Ivan Moody – a composer of today whose creativity has long roots back into the rich heritage of early music. Ivan lives in Portugal, so we have selected 16th century works from Iberia to frame our Holy Week programme.

Gregorian chant sung by: The Aberdeen Schola, directed by Roger B Williams (23 Mar only) The Scottish Plainsong Choir, directed by Alan Tavener

This programme includes the World Premieres:
Aurora radius and He who clothed himself in light by Ivan Moody

Earlier Heaven
Renaissance and Medieval motets from Scotland and Europe

The remembrance of past glories and the constancy of love are our themes for this original and exquisite programme of ancient and modern musical treasures. Two of the loveliest new works ever commissioned by Cappella Nova are featured alongside a superb selection of the medieval and renaissance music that inspired the two composers. Eight singers raise passionate voice to guide you on a musical journey from King Solomon’s garden to the fields of paradise.

Love Remains          Peter McGarr
Earlier Heaven  Joanne Metcalf

Meet the Composer: Peter McGarr will give an informal talk about his music at 7.10pm in each venue. Here’s your chance to meet a real, live composer and find out what makes him tick.

Bonjour, mon Coeur
Parisian Chansons and Scottish songs of the sixteenth century.

Celebrating the music, poetry and courtly pastimes of the Renaissance princes of Scotland and France, this sequence of songs and instrumentals explores the vastly different national characters of the two members of the ‘Auld Alliance’. The frothy, irreverent wit of the French contrasts with the dark, emotional angst of the Scots, as the various facets of ‘love’ are held up to the light and mercilessly mocked or heart-breakingly bewailed. Bewitchingly crafted miniatures, sung by a quartet of voices in various solo and ensemble combinations, interspersed with beguiling poetry.

Gillean McDougall reader
Hugh Campbell lute

Workshops

Our popular workshops are great fun and open to all. We love to share our music with you! They are held in central venues, close to public transport, and full details are sent out at the time of booking. Do give us a call for more information.

Vocal eMANcipation!

Are you a toiling tenor, bathroom baritone, battling bass or furtive falsettist? Whatever your voice, gents, this is the workshop designed just for you.

Alan Tavener and singers from Cappella Nova will lead this special session designed to get you singing more efficiently, effectively and with greater confidence.

Scottish Plainsong Choir

Our very special community choir will re-form again this season for a number of rehearsal/workshop sessions (early 2004), under the direction of Alan Tavener, to prepare for participation in our March performances. This mixed choir includes singers of all types and levels of experience, and is open to new members. Those already on the list will automatically receive information. If you have not yet put your name down and would like to hear more about the project, ask us questions or add your name to the list for future years, please contact us before the end of 2004.

Singers in the north may wish to join the Aberdeen Schola. For information, call Aberdeen University Music on 01224 272570.

Old meets New

This unique workshop explores the links between Medieval music, especially chant and troubadour song, and composers of today. Participants will sing some of each, including specially written, lyrical pieces by Sheena Phillips and Peter McGarr.

Alan and Rebecca Tavener will lead this fun, friendly session.

Extra Events...

Watch out for extra opportunities in your area!

We add more events throughout the year, so do join our mailing list to keep fully informed. For example:-

Perth Plainsong...

We are planning a one-off plainsong event in Perth, date and venue to be confirmed. If you would like to know more about this, get in touch!