CONTENT COURTESY ENSEMBLE GOMBERT
Ensemble Gombert is Melbourne’s outstanding chamber choir, renowned for its pure intonation and historical approach to choral sound and style. Named after Nicolas Gombert, the ensemble specialises in a cappella performance of Franco-Flemish music of the High Renaissance.
A Human Requiem
A Human Requiem was composed from 2015-19 by long-time choir member Vaughan McAlley. Taking its words from those selected from the Bible by Brahms for his monumental A German Requiem, A Human Requiem is a large-scale piece for a cappella choir that addresses human themes of sorrow, renewal, fragility, fear, futility, consolation, anxiety, triumph, peace, hope, and joy.
It is accompanied by two of the pieces (both Ensemble Gombert favourites) to which A Human Requiem pays tribute.
Program
Josquin Desprez: Praeter rerum seriem
Heinrich Schütz: Selig sind die Toten
Vaughan McAlley: A Human Requiem
A Human Requiem takes place at 3pm October 16, Our Lady of Victories, Camberwell.
Tallis & Byrd
Works from undisputed masters of Late Renaissance music in England.
Thomas Tallis and his pupil William Byrd are the undisputed masters of Late Renaissance music in England. Though Masters of the Chapel Royal, both remained devout Roman Catholics throughout their lives.
This program culminates in the most famous English choral work of the 16th Century, Tallis’ 40-voice setting of Spem in alium nunquam habui. While the date and occasion of the motet’s composition remain a mystery, dates from 1556 to 1573 have been conjectured, along with possible connections with the Duke of Norfolk or the Earl of Arundel.
The technical mastery and architectural brilliance it exhibits have never been in doubt. This is one of music’s most dazzling masterpieces.
Ensemble Gombert is joined by friends and former members to present this work as it was originally intended.
Program
Thomas Tallis (c.1505–1585):
Te lucis ante terminum (2 settings)
In jejunio et fletu
Derelinquat impius
Loquebantur variis linguis
William Byrd (c.1540–1623):
Attollite portas
Ne irascaris
Nunc scio vere
Tu es Petrus
Quomodo cantabimus
Thomas Tallis (c.1505–1585):
Spem in alium nunquam habui
Tallis & Byrd takes place at 7.30 November 7, Elisabeth Murdoch Hall. Learn more about Ensemble Gombert through the choir website.
Images supplied.
