During the Renaissance musical composition flourished, but it was a time of great change, fuelled by religious division. This programme traces music written by some of the English Renaissance masters over a period of 200 years, encompassing florid medieval-sounding pieces by Pygott and Cornysh, intricately woven polyphonic works by Tallis and Byrd, and the beautiful simplicity of Mundy and Tomkins.

EPSG:4326

The Gesualdo Six

Wigmore Hall

The richly sensual choral music of Renaissance master Orlande de Lassus provides a stunning centrepiece. Music that speaks of love earthly and divine, his motets, masses and madrigals were written over 300 years ago. But they still have the immediacy and intricacy to resonate with us today, especially when heard in the lofty surrounds of stunning chapels, churches and cathedrals.

Daringly designed and stitched in fine detail, they are in fact tailored from scraps of other music, whether Lassus’ own, the music of his revered predecessor Josquin or the monochrome beauty of plainchant.

Masters of Imitation: Stockholm

Tyska kyrkan, Stockholm

The theme behind this seasonal programme is the Virgin Mary, whether celebrating her own divinity (in the Votive Mass written by Byrd), or in the context of the birth of Christ (in Tallis’ epic Missa Puer natus).

Mother and Child

Smith Square Hall

Under the guidance of singer and practical scholar Sally Dunkley, and Sixteen alto Daniel Collins, the workshop will include advice on vocal technique (breathing technique, invigorating warm-ups, voice production) as well as performance interpretation and historical context.

2025 Choral Workshop: Tewkesbury

Tewkesbury Abbey

In an age of resurgent conflict and frenetic demands on our attention, our 2025 Choral Pilgrimage: Angel of Peace offers a slice of tranquillity in many forms courtesy of luminous, purifying music traversing six centuries. From the enraptured songs of the medieval abbess Hildegard of Bingen to the magical realm of a brand new work by the contemporary composer Anna Clyne, nine pieces of music from across the centuries speak of peace and acceptance and the ecstatic joy their reassurance can bring.

The Choral Pilgrimage 2025

Chichester Cathedral

Exeter Cathedral

Greyfriars Kirk

Southwell Minster

St George's Church

St James' Church, Egerton

Truro Cathedral

Wells Cathedral

Derby Cathedral

National Concert Hall

Hereford Cathedral

Hexham Abbey

St Martin-in-the-Fields Church, London

Peterborough Cathedral

The ORA singers present a concert themed around ‘the passing of the Year’, centred around Jonathan Dove’s song-cycle of the same name for double choir and piano, alongside Renaissance songs celebrating sacred feast days, poetry for each season and new work from Manchester-based composer Emily Pedersen, and BBC Philharmonic composer-in-residence Tom Coult.

ORA Singers

The Stoller Hall

Charting the progress from twilight to sunrise, this programme concentrates on Renaissance composers but includes a recent work by Nico Muhly specially written to form part of the nocturnal trajectory.

Stile Antico

Be inspired, transported and uplifted in this, a journey through no less than 600 years of music celebrating Christmas. From Pachelbel’s beloved Canon, heard afresh on our period instruments, through to the rich, melting harmonies of Tchaikovsky and John Taverner’s spare, haunting, The Lamb, plus a brand new piece by Roderick Williams, written especially for the occasion. Music that will resonate with you for long after the concert, and a perfect start to the Holiday season.

Six Centuries Of Christmas

First Congregational Church

First Congregational Church of Berkeley

War Memorial and Performing Arts Center

Stanford University

Loved VOCES8? Then you will love this British vocal ensemble featuring some of the UK’s finest consort singers, directed by Owain Park.

John Taverner

Events

Upcoming events

Feb 7, 2027

The Gesualdo Six · The Royal Conservatory of Music

Past events

Sep 9, 2026

The Gesualdo Six · Wigmore Hall

Jun 4, 2026

Masters of Imitation: Stockholm · The Sixteen

About

John Taverner hasn't added a bio