Russian Intrada vocal ensemble will perform under the direction of one of the leading UK choral conductors, Peter Phillips, on 19 April 2019 at the Small Hall of the magnificent new magnificent Zaryadye Hall in Moscow. They will also lead two masterclasses at the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory and Kazan State Conservatory.
The programme of the concert entitled “Music for the English Kings” will consist of Russian premieres of early music works written by such prominent composers as Thomas Tallis, William Byrd, John Sheppard, Thomas Weelkes and Henry Purcell alongside works by John Tavener (1944-2013) including his famous “Song for Athene”.
PETER PHILLIPS ABOUT THE PROGRAMME
All the music in this programme was written by English composers who, with the exception of the modern John Tavener, were members of the Chapel Royal. This institution served, and still serves, the British monarchy.
The first half is entirely by renaissance composers in Latin, reflecting the style of composition in England before the Reformation. The second half is in English, with music written in the 16th, 17th and 20th centuries, all of it for the Protestant Anglican church. Since the British monarch is head of the Anglican church, it is not surprising to find composers like Thomas Weelkes singing ‘O Lord grant the King a long life’.