The Great O Anthems

Grosvenor Chapel, London
South Audley Street, London W1K 2PA
United Kingdom
http://www.grosvenorchapel.org.uk

London Concord Singers
Malcolm Cottle (conductor)

The Magnificat Antiphons for the last seven days of Advent, the Great O Anthems, have inspired composers over the centuries and London Concord Singers present a survey of the settings, each anthem set by a different composer. One anthem is sung to the original plainchant whilst another is in a setting by the 17th century English composer Robert Ramsey, the remaining settings are by contemporary composers from Estonia, Poland and the UK. Those of Arvo Pärt, Pavel Lukaszewski, Bob Chilcott and Keith Roberts are from taken from complete settings of all seven antiphons. Whilst that of Cecilia MacDowell, which was premiered earlier this year, is from a set commissioned from seven different composers by Merton College Choir. The Magnificat Antiphons will be complemented by a magnificent Magnificat by Andrea Gabrieli for three choirs.

The concert will be completed with a selection of music for Advent including the premiere of Robert Hugill’s advent motet Propre es tu.


Arvo Pärt : O Immanuel, from Sieben Magnificat-Antiphonen
Pawel Lukaszewski : O Radix Jesse, from Antiphonae (O Antiphons)
Bob Chilcott : O Adonai, from Advent Antiphons
Keith Roberts : O Clavis David, from Veni
Cecilia McDowall : O Oriens
Robert Hugill : Propre es tu