2010

 

Our 2010 series marked the 400th anniversary of Monteverdi's great 1610 Vespers
publication which, by stretching the boundaries of choral writing, has come to represent a decisive turning point in its development. With Monteverdi's wonderful Vespers music at its apex, Unicorn's 2010 programme featured other key sacred pieces that mark breakthroughs in composition. Many of these choral 'hotspots' were heard in the context of the divine office for which they were intended, contrasting a variety of services and countries.

During our itinerary we eavesdropped on Palestrina in 16th century Rome, on Schütz in 17th century Dresden and Machaut in 14th century Paris, and encountered music of outstanding originality & beauty. The dazzling polyphony of Palestrina, the pioneering work of the medieval composers at Notre Dame, Tallis' sumptuous apotheosis of the English Renaissance, and the groundbreaking Bible settings of Heinrich Schütz.

A musical journey that literally breaks the sound barriers!

 

Thursday 25 March at 8pm

Evening Lady Day Service
Tallis: Gaude Gloriosa Dei Mater
St Mary's Priory Church , Abergavenny

This magnificent antiphon in praise of Mary is one of the most elaborate
and transcendent pieces of Renaissance polyphony,
a definitive statement in expressing the glories of the true faith
during the tumults of the Reformation.

free entry

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Palm Sunday Concert 28 March at 8pm

Music for Holy Week
Schütz: Musikalische Exequien
Browne: Stabat Mater
Catholic Church OLSM, Abergavenny

Amongst the pioneering work of Heinrich Schütz is his highly individual response to the Requiem,
whilst Browne's epic setting of Mary's lament at the foot of the cross
forms the summation of the lavish style found in the Eton Choir Book.

admission:  £8 at the door, full time students free

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Good Friday Service 2 April at 2pm

service included
Schütz:  St John Passion
St. Catwg's Church, Llangattock, Crickhowell

One of the first fully integrated settings of the Passion story,
whose dramatic contentor the great works of JS Bach.

free entry

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Easter Day Service 4 April at 9.30am

Medieval Mass
 St. Catwg's Church, Llangattock, Crickhowell

Some of the first Mass movements in three and four parts,
including excerpts from the Messe de Tournai and Machaut's Messe de Notre Dame.

free entry

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Saturday Concert 17 April at 7.30pm
Regret concert cancelled
 St. Donats

   ~

Sunday Service 18 April at 11am

service to include
Palestrina:  Missa Papae Marcelli
St. Mary's Priory Church , Abergavenny

Sublime music from the Michelangelo of sounds which, according to tradition,
set standards of craftsmanship that others would aspire to.

free entry

    ~

Sunday Service 2 May at 9.30am

service to include
a Plain Song Mass
St. Catwg's Church, Llangattock, Crickhowell

Plainsong setting of the Latin Mass, as has been heard across the centuries -
a cornerstone of Western music.

This service forms part of the Crickhowell May Music Festival

free entry

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Saturday Concert 26 June at 7.30pm

Sing a New Song
 St. Peter's Church, Llanwenarth Citra
Unicorn's summer concert: a lightning tour of this year's choral landmarks' project,
featuring the input of key composers - Tallis, Josquin, Palestrina and Monteverdi -
and complemented by some contrasting modern additions.

tickets, including interval buffet, £10 – please contact Mrs Pip Hassall (01873) 857392

    ~

Sunday Service 27 June at 11am

service included
Monteverdi: Missa il illo tempora (1610)
 Dore Abbey, Herefordshire HR2 0AA
The first of Monteverdi's epic 1610 publication consists of this glorious Mass setting,
in which the composer brilliantly marries the glories of polyphony with the fresh harmonic language of the Baroque.
An amazing yet rarely heard masterpiece!

free entry

  ~

Saturday Concert 25 September at 7.30pm

Monteverdi: Vespers
  sopranos:  Faye Newton & Philippa Hyde
tenors:  Charles Daniels & Nicholas Mulroy
Dore Abbey, Herefordshire HR2 0AA

This was a most special evening,
and marked the climax of this year's choral landmarks' celebrations.
We sang to a packed - and rapt - audience.

tickets: £15, restricted view £12

 ~

Sunday 12 December at 7.00pm

  Britten Ceremony of Carols
 St. Catwg's Church, Llangattock, Crickhowell
  Monteverdi Magnificat  à 6 (1610)
will also include
Jesus Christ, the Apple Tree
As Joseph was a-walking
Poulenc: Hodie Christus natus est
Whitacre: Lux Aurumque
Veni Veni

 ~

Thursday 23 December at 7.30pm

  Unicorn's annual Christmas Concert
 Llangattock Church
(near Crickhowell)
 included
 Mendelssohn: Rejoice
Cuncti simus (medieval)
Guerrero : Canite tuba
Phillips: Beata Dei genitrix
Praetorius: In natali Domini
Cristo: Es nascido
Brightest and best
Kentucky Wassail
Tavener: Sweet was the song
Leighton: Lullay, lulla
Whitacre: Lux aurumque
Poulenc: Videntes stellam
Warlock: I saw a maiden
&
FOLK CAROLS

    

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2009 schedule

2008 schedule

2007 schedule

2006 schedule

2005 schedule

 

 

Please contact Abergavenny Music (01873 853394) for further details or email us at unicorn@abergavennymusic.com