York Early Music Christmas Festival 2014

2014 5 - 14 December

Box Office 01904 658338 www.ncem.co.uk/xmas

Friday 5 December

Event 01 Venue Tickets

7.30pm Sir Jack Lyons Concert Hall, University of York Reserved seating: £24.00 (concessions £22.00, students £5.00)

Weekend Saver Ticket

Promoted in association with

La Serenissima Colin Scobie, Kathryn Parry, Guy Button, Camilla Scarlett, Oakki Lau, Christiane Eidsten Dahl violins Elitsa Bogdanova, Jim O’Toole violas Gareth Deats, Vladimir Waltham cellos Carina Cosgrave double bass Lynda Sayce theorbo James Johnstone organ

Adrian Chandler violin and director Mhairi Lawson soprano

Vivaldi: The Red Priest Weekend SAVER TICKET £64.00 (concessions £58.00)

Concerto for strings & continuo in D, RV 123 Concerto per il Santissimo Natale for violin, strings & continuo in E, RV 270 Motet In turbato mare irato for soprano, strings & continuo, RV 627 Concerto Madrigalesco for strings & continuo in d, RV 129 Motet Sum in medio tempestatum for soprano, strings & continuo, RV 632 Concerto for violin, strings & continuo in G, RV 307 ‘These are musicians who quite simply love their Vivaldi and their spirit is contagious.’

BBC Music Magazine www.laserenissima.co.uk Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England

WEEKEND SAVER TICKET

Buy a ticket for events 1,2,3 and 5 save up to 20% Please note that all concerts must be booked at the same time and the offer is subject to availability.

Friday 5 December 5.30pm – 6.30pm

Festival Artist in Residence Exhibition Private View Join us at the NCEM as visual artist Alfred Huckett reveals his exhibition of work inspired by the 2014 summer Festival.

Organised in association with Kentmere House Gallery

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Saturday 6 December Weekend Saver Ticket Event 02 3.00pm – c.4.00pm Venue St Olave’s Church, Marygate Tickets £12.00 (concessions £10.00, students £5.00)

University of Huddersfield Chamber Choir & Early Music Ensemble John Bryan director

Ave maris stella Renaissance music in praise of the Virgin Mary, including excerpts from Josquin’s Missa Ave maris stella, and settings of Ave Regina caelorum by Lassus, Palestrina and Andrea Gabrieli, interspersed with instrumental pieces based on Ave maris stella by Stoltzer and Festa and elegant Italian dance music.

Performed by the youthful voices of the Huddersfield Chamber Choir, and an array of renaissance instruments including viols, sackbuts and recorders.

Presented in association with www.hud.ac.uk

Weekend Saver Ticket Event 03 7.00pm Venue St Michael le Belfrey Church, High Petergate Tickets £24.00 (concessions £22.00, £5.00 student stand by)

Yorkshire Bach Choir Yorkshire Baroque Soloists Mhairi Lawson soprano Sally Bruce-Payne alto Matthew Long tenor Peter Harvey bass Peter Seymour conductor

Handel: Messiah Handel’s Messiah is essential listening for the Christmas season. Yorkshire Bach Choir’s ever popular and highly-regarded performance, with their always outstanding team of soloists and regular partners Yorkshire Baroque Soloists, is certainly not to be missed.

‘YBC is a top notch choir, tempos bright & pacy!’

BBC Radio 3 ‘YBS - technically immaculate, bringing vitality and vivacity to the score.’ Yorkshire Post www.yorkshirebachchoir.org.uk

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Sunday 7 December Event 04 10.30am – 3.00pm Venue NCEM, St Margaret’s Church, Walmgate Tickets £20.00 (students and observers £15.00) including music and light refreshments

Weekend Saver Ticket Event 05 7.30pm Venue NCEM, St Margaret’s Church Tickets £20.00 (concessions £18.00, students £5.00) CHRISTMAS BY CANDLELIGHT

A Workshop for Recorder Players

Theatre of the Ayre

led by Pamela Thorby A rare opportunity to explore some of the music written in 18th-century England for recorders led by one of the finest 21st-century players in the business! Participants will work in groups of three or four on Purcell pieces selected from Ayres for the Theatre and (optionally) on the Schickhardt concertos for four trebles.

See www.ncem.co.uk/pamelathorbyworkshop for full details and links to the music.

Please book by 21 November.

SUNDAY SAVER: Book for both events 4 and 5 at the same time and save £5.00.

Pamela Thorby, Catherine Latham, Merlin Harrison recorders Elizabeth Kenny guitar, theorbo

Purcell: The Lost Recordings Suites from Dioclesian, King Arthur, The Fairy Queen and The Indian Queen.

For half a century (1680-1730, give or take) sets of recorders provided many English musicians with their main means of access to modern orchestral compositions and to ultra-fashionable opera. Parts labelled tenor or bass recorder are extremely rare but the instruments themselves survive in surprising numbers. Theatre of the Ayre brings this hidden consort repertoire back to life alongside a seasonal splash of colour including Corelli’s Christmas Concerto in a recorder transcription published by John Walsh around 1725, and a selection of Noëls by MarcAntoine Charpentier. ‘a crack-squad of top instrumentalists.’ Gramophone

Offer subject to availability. www.elizabethkenny.co.uk/ theatre-of-the-ayre

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Monday 8 December Event 06 7.30pm Venue NCEM, St Margaret’s Church Tickets £20.00 (concessions £18.00, students £5.00) including mince pies and mulled wine.

CHRISTMAS BY CANDLELIGHT

Joglaresa Belinda Sykes voice, bagpipes, percussion, director Sianed Jones, May Robertson voice, fidel Angela Hicks voice, harp Louise Morgan, Zands Duggan percussion, voice

Merriment & Misrule Turn your Christmas upside down with the lords and ladies of misrule - sparring fidels, duelling percussion and soaring voices.

The rebellious Joglaresa bring their sparkling subversion to Yuletide – amongst Medieval, Tudor and folk carols they perform medieval parodies celebrating wine and ale – Vinum bonum and Bring Us in Good Ale; songs from the 16th century Piae Cantiones – Angelus emittitur and Personent hodie, and their very own version of The Bore’s Heed in Hande bear I. ‘Get in festive mood with these brilliant musicians, whose infectious enthusiasm and peerless skill will leave you wanting to dance and sing all the way home!’ Spitalfields Festival www.joglaresa.com/merriment Supported by Middlethorpe Hall Hotel and Spa www.middlethorpe.com One of the three Historic House Hotels of the National Trust

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Tuesday 9 December

Wednesday 10 December

Event 07 7.30pm Venue NCEM, St Margaret’s Church Tickets £20.00 (concessions £18.00) including mince pies and mulled wine.

CHRISTMAS BY CANDLELIGHT

The Mellstock Band Dave Townsend violin, concertina, voice, director Caroline Butler violin, voice Tim Hill clarinets, voice Philip Humphries serpent, voice

The Christmas Hearth: A Costumed Show with Early Instruments, Song and Spoken Word For over twenty years The Mellstock Band has been entertaining audiences across the country. This winter they celebrate all things comfortable by inviting you to their Christmas fireside to enjoy a seasonal mix of jovial songs, stirring dance music and haunting carols linked together by carefully selected readings which tell the story of Christmas celebrations in a 19th-century English village. Better than a bowl of hot punch! ‘the refreshing earthy sounds of The Mellstock Band – honest, unpretentious.’ ‘don’t delay, pick up a phone and book to see them.’

Boston Symphony Orchestra www.melstockband.com

Event 08 7.30pm Venue All Saints’ Church, North Street Tickets £12.00 (concessions £10.00, students £5.00) CHRISTMAS BY CANDLELIGHT

Renaissance Ben Rowarth director

A Hymn of the Nativity Christmas music by the Tudor Greats, William Byrd and Thomas Tallis, set alongside earlier carols of the medieval period and festive works of the 20th and 21st centuries, inspired by these 16th- century gems and woven together with the Advent Antiphons of the Salisbury Rite.

'Renaissance is one of the most exciting young a cappella groups to have set out its stall in recent years.

Not only do they have all the now-normal attributes of good blend and tuning, they sing with unusual musicianship and understanding. An ensemble to watch.' Peter Phillips, The Tallis Scholars www.benrowarthandrenaissance.com Supported by The Queens Hotel www.queenshotel-york.com

Diary Date

Wednesday 3 December, 7.00pm Sir Jack Lyons Concert Hall

University of York Chamber Choir & Baroque Ensemble JS Bach

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Christmas Oratorio

Tel: 01904 322439 www.YorkConcerts.co.uk

Friday 12 December Event 09 8.30pm – c.9.30pm Venue NCEM, St Margaret’s Church Tickets £10.00 (concessions £8.00, students £5.00)

Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment Chamber Music for a Winter’s Evening Join us for a festive evening of baroque chamber music including music by one of England’s most feted composers, Henry Purcell. The concert will be presented from the stage by the musicians of the OAE.

Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment

Saturday 13 December

Event 10 Event 11 Venue Tickets

TOTS ONE 10.30am – 11.15am TOTS TWO 12 noon – 12.45pm NCEM, St Margaret’s Church £6.00 (tots £2.00) Family Ticket £12.00 (2 adults and 2 tots)

Pitter Patter Rain Drops A concert by the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment for children aged 2 – 5 and their families These lively and interactive concerts for the very youngest of music lovers come to York for the first time. A fantastic opportunity to introduce young people to the wonderful world of classical music.

‘Fabulous for the 4-5 year olds, a perfect balance of story and songs for their age.’ Audience member

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Dates for your diary

Sunday 14 December Wednesday 20 - Sunday 24 May 2015

& East Riding Early Music Festival

Guests will include The Tallis Scholars directed by Peter Phillips with highlights including the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment working with Beverley Grammar, Beverley Girls’ High Schools and the University of York.

Tickets will be on sale from December www.ncem.co.uk/bemf Friday 3 – Saturday 11 July 2015

Guests will include The Taverner Consort directed by Andrew Parrott, the Huelgas Ensemble with Paul van Neval and the Early Opera Company directed by Christian Curnyn.

Highlights include the York Early Music International Young Artists Competition.

Event 12 10.30am - 3.00pm Venue NCEM, St Margaret’s Church, Walmgate Tickets £15.00 (students and observers £10.00) including music and light refreshments.

‘Pastores Quidnam Vidistis’ A Workshop for Singers led by Stile Antico

Flemish and German Music for Christmas As a preliminary to their evening concert, members of Stile Antico join us to direct a workshop for singers (all voices, tenors particularly welcome) featuring the rich repertoire of music for Christmas from the Flemish and German traditions. Music for the day will be provided and repertoire will include Clemens non Papa's Missa Pastores quidnam vidistis and a selection of old-German Christmas carols.

Participants should have reasonable sight reading skills and online practice material will be available via the NCEM website from October. The workshop will conclude with an informal public performance at 3.00pm – no tickets required.

See www.ncem.co.uk/saworkshop for full details and links to the music. Please book by 21 November.

Tickets will be on sale March 2015 www.ncem.co.uk/yemf

Gift Vouchers

Buy your Christmas presents now!

Available in amounts of £5.00 and £10.00.

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Sunday 14 December Event 13 6.30pm Venue Sir Jack Lyons Concert Hall, University of York Tickets Reserved seating: £24.00 (concessions £22.00, students £5.00)

Supported by Novotel www.accor.com

Stile Antico A Wondrous Mystery Stile Antico’s new Christmas programme is a delightful mixture of the formal and the informal, of sophisticated polyphony and folk-like dances. Alongside a glorious, richlyscored Christmas mass by the Flemish composer Clemens non Papa, Stile Antico performs traditional old-German carols and motets, many of them still familiar today.

Amongst the highlights are Eccard’s infectiously joyful Übers Gebirg Maria geht and Praetorius’ double-choir Magnificat, which includes the carols In dulci jubilo and Josef lieber, Josef mein. Based on the same Josef lieber melody, and neatly joining the two strands of the programme, is Resonet in laudibus by the Flemish-born, Germanresident master Orlandus Lassus. An irresistibly festive performance!

SUNDAY SAVER: Book for both events 12 and 13 at the same time and save £5.00.

Offer subject to availability.

The festival is delighted to welcome Stile Antico back to York 10 years after winning the Friends of York Early Music Festival prize at the 2005 International Young Artists Competition. What a decade it has proved to be! ‘…an ensemble of breathtaking freshness, vitality and balance.’ New York Times Promoted in association with www.stileantico.co.uk

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NCEM PATRONS Supporting innovation, excellence and creative learning

International

Young Competition

2015

4 201 ember 5-

14

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CALL FOR APPLICANTS!

If you are interested in joining us please

If you are a young early music ensemble focusing on historically informed performance practice – and you want to make your name on an international stage – the York Early Music International Young Artists Competition is a must! It takes place from 9 - 11 July 2015 as part of the prestigious York Early Music Festival.

telephone 01904 632220 or email patrons@ncem.co.uk Visit www.ncem.co.uk/patrons

The closing date for applications is Fri 23 January 2015.

Full details from www.ncem.co.uk/youngartists2015

Meet early music specialists and like-minded individuals through informal receptions, supper parties and concerts whilst supporting the long-term artistic ambitions of the York Early Music Festival and the National Centre for Early Music.

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Booking Information Booking opens to NCEM Patrons and Friends of the York Early Music Festival on Thursday 10 July and to the public from Monday 21 July.

Box Office The National Centre for Early Music St Margaret’s Church Walmgate,York YO1 9TL

www.ncem.co.uk 01904 658338 How to book

In person: The NCEM box office is open Monday – Friday 9.00am – 5.00pm.

On-line: Visit our web site at www.ncem.co.uk/xmas and use the secure on-line booking service.

By telephone: Please contact the box office on 01904 658338.

There is a non-refundable £1.00 administration charge for each transaction made on-line or by telephone.

This includes the postage of your tickets if time permits.

By post: Write to the NCEM Box Office, St Margaret’s Church, Walmgate, York YO1 9TL enclosing an SAE. Cheques should be made payable to the National Centre for Early Music.

Seating: Seats are unreserved except where indicated.

Reservations: Tickets must be paid for within three working days of reservation and at least 24 hours prior to the performance. Any remaining tickets will be sold at the venue immediately prior to the performance.

Concession prices: The price shown in brackets is the concession price for those aged 65 and over, registered disabled and a companion, and the unemployed.

Refunds: We regret that refunds can only be given if the concert is sold out and we are able to sell on the ticket. Please note that there will be a 10% administration charge.

General enquiries: Please ring 01904 632220 for general information.

Group bookings: Buy nine tickets for any one concert and receive one further ticket free! All tickets must be booked in advance and at the same time.

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Accessible facilities: The Festival offers a warm welcome to everyone.

The NCEM website www.ncem.co.uk is accessible to the partially sighted and assistance dogs are welcome at concerts. For detailed information, please ring 01904 632220. The NCEM is a Typetalk Approved business.

Please use a ‘large’ stamp if ordering 10+ tickets.

Hotel information The NCEM warmly recommends a number of York hotels, please log on to www.ncem.co.uk/hotels for details.

The York Visitor Information Centre Supported by Dean Court Hotel Duncombe Place, York www.deancourt-York.co.uk

The York Visitor Information Centre offers help with accommodation and general information about the City. Ring 01904 550099 or email info@visityork.org

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2014 5-14 December

AT A G L A N C E

Friday 5 Tuesday 9

La Serenissima The Mellstock Band Huddersfield Early Renaissance Music Ensemble Friday 12 Yorkshire Bach Choir Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment Sunday 7 Recorder Workshop Saturday 13 Theatre of the Ayre Pitter Patter Rain Drops Monday 8

Sunday 14

Joglaresa Choral Workshop Stile Antico

Box Office 01904 658338

www.ncem.co.uk/xmas

DesignRedBonsai.co.uk 01759 319471

Saturday 6 Wednesday 10

yorkearlymusic The York Early Music Christmas Festival is directed by Delma Tomlin MBE and administered by the National Centre for Early Music through the York Early Music Foundation registered charity number 1068331. All details are correct at the time of going to press but NCEM reserves the right to amend the published programme if necessary.

Front Cover Image: Jan Gossaert The Adoration of the Kings The National Gallery, London Š The National Gallery, London