We begin with Stars by Ēriks Ešenvalds, a work that gazes skyward in awe. Its shimmering textures, created with tuned glasses and floating vocal lines, set the tone for a programme that explores mystery, reverence, and transcendence.
From this cosmic perspective, we move to the sacred intimacy of Ave Verum by William Byrd — a Renaissance expression of quiet devotion, offering a deeply human response to the divine. Roderick Williams’ Ave Verum Corpus Reimagined then reinterprets this same ancient text through modern harmony, layering tradition with fresh emotional resonance.
The programme then shifts eastward, into the rich choral traditions of Russian Orthodox music. Tchaikovsky’s Cherubic Hymn and Rachmaninoff’s All Night Vigil explore the depth and grandeur of liturgical sound, where music becomes prayer — expansive, immersive, and deeply spiritual.
Finally, we return to where we began: under the stars. Kate Rusby’s Underneath the Stars, though drawn from the world of folk, closes the evening with a sense of personal reflection — grounding the vastness of the sacred in something tender and familiar. It reminds us that awe isn’t only found in the heavens or cathedrals, but also in the quiet moments of human connection.
Together, these works form a journey: from the stars, to the soul, and back again — a choral meditation on beauty, belief, and the search for meaning.
