The Sixteen provide welcome Music for Reflection in difficult times

By Nick Boston, 20 September 2020

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“Josquin’s O Virgo prudentissima was given welcome swing and energy”

Reviewed at Kings Place: Hall One, London on 19 September 2020

Anerio, Litaniae Beatissimae Virginis Mariae

Pärt, The Deer's Cry

des Prez, O virgo prudentissima

Pärt, Da pacem Domine

Sheppard, Libera nos

des Prez, Pater Noster

des Prez, Ave Maria

Pärt, Morning Star

Victoria, Litaniae Beatae Mariae

Byrd, Mass for 4 Voices: Agnus Dei

T.S. Eliot, Readings from 'Murder in the Cathedral'

The Sixteen

Harry Christophers, Choirmaster / chorus director

Antonia Christophers, Reader

Bach and Gluck resound in Bath Abbey with The Sixteen

Roy Westbrook, 21st February

Large ecclesiastical buildings, with their hard surfaces and long high naves, are challenging for complex music like Bach’s.

****1

Angel of Peace: The Sixteen’s annual choral pilgrimage

Leighton Jones, 4th April

Harry Christophers and The Sixteen refresh their choral pilgrimage with works old and new, that show innovative programming at its imaginative best.

*****

Heavenly sounds from The Sixteen with Harry Christophers in Dublin

Andrew Larkin, 20th June

The Sixteen offer glorious tones, smooth polyphonic lines and vivid word paintings at the National Concert Hall.

****1

Uneven Mozart and Haydn from The Sixteen at Cadogan Hall

Mark Valencia, 16th February

The Sixteen’s work is spoilt by a shortage of violins and some uneven solo contributions. Such imperfections only serve to highlight the excellence of the very best.

***11

The Sixteen and Julian Joseph: a one-sided conversation

David Karlin, 27th January

The latest instalment of Kings Place's “Sound Unwrapped” series delivers wonderful musicianship in both jazz and early music, but not the promised “continuous fusion of styles”.

***11

Exalted Messiah: The Sixteen and Harry Christophers

Roy Westbrook, 6th December

How do you conduct the same over-familiar work for the 200th time, and make it sound quite new?

*****

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Nick Boston

Nick has an MA in Music, specialising in performance and repertoire. His particular passions are choral music, chamber music and opera, with a particular interest in early music. He sings in a number of choirs in the south east of England, plays the piano and occasionally dusts off the violin. He writes about music here.

“The waiting is long...”: The Sixteen provide welcome Music for Reflection in difficult times