Aaron Copland (1900-1990): In the Beginning
Samuel Barber (1910-1981): Agnus Dei
Morten Lauridsen (b.1943): Soneto de la Noche & Ave, dulcissima Maria
Eric Whitacre (b.1970): Sainte-Chapelle & i thank You God for most this amazing day
René Clausen (b.1953): Tonight eternity alone
Stephen Paulus (1949-2014): Pilgrims’ Hymn
Sir Michael Tippett (1905-1998): Five Negro Spirituals from A Child of Our Time

Aaron Copland’s extraordinary In the Beginning sets thirty-eight verses from the Book of Genesis. Using subtle musical devices and clear text painting, Copland brilliantly depicts the actions in the Creation story, building to a spectacular close.

Barber’s Agnus Dei is a reworking for a cappella choir of his much-loved Adagio for Strings. Morten Lauridsen’s Soneto de la Noche is a setting of one of Pablo Neruda’s most transcendent poems; Ave dulcissima Maria is a beguiling work scored for seven-part men’s voices.

Eric Whitacre’s distinctive harmonic language dazzles us in and i thank You God for most this amazing day –a setting of words by E.E. Cummings.

Sir Michael Tippett’s oratorio A Child of Our Time is the source of his Five Negro Spirituals, which were subsequently arranged for a cappella choir. Exquisite miniatures by René Clausen and Stephen Paulus also adorn this programme.