MEDIA RELEASE

A Winter Solstice Celebration … 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 22 at HPA Davies Memorial Chapel

This concert will be, as usual with the Consort, an opportunity to explore a cappella music from the 15th century to contemporary compositions. Rather than being presented chronologically, it will start with “April is in my mistress’ face” by Morley, an occasion to move through months up to December, followed by songs about Autumn by Brahms and contemporary composer Huub de Lange, setting the stage for a performance devoted to the passing from Autumn to Winter and celebrating light, as from the Winter solstice on days are starting to get longer and nights shorter.

Winter is cold, but two composers from the 16th century will remind us that the thought of warmer days ahead can help us endure the bitternes of the season: Eccard in “Der Winter kalt”, and Weelkes who will give advice on how “To Shorten Winter’s Sadness.”

Let’s forget the cold and sing about light! Tallis will come first with “O Nata Lux”, followed by a stunning 8-part composition by Schumann, “Ungewisses Licht”, where light is seen at the end of a difficult journey, though it is hard to know what to make of it… “Lead, kindly Light” by Sir Arthur Sullivan will lead us to the light from the stars in “Constellation” by contemporary composer Ticheli.

A few rounds and a couple of surprises will punctuate the program, which will conclude with a caroling session in which the audience will be invited to join the Consort and celebrate the season!