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Oxfords world class vocal ensemble founded at Blenheim
PalaceBLENHEIMSINGERS
OXFORD2017-2018 programme
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Choral music at the highest level. An impressive experience.
Augsburger Allgemeine
The Blenheim Singers is directed by Tom Hammond
Davies, one of the most versatile conductors of his
generation and working regularly with musicians
from London, Oxford and Cambridge, and top artists
from the Royal Opera House.
Tom is also Director and founder of the Oxford Bach
Soloists and sings professionally as countertenor Lay
Clerk with the multiple Gramophone Award winning
Choir of New College Oxford.
Tom Hammond Davies, Director
For festivals, concert series, arts centres and special events
in 2017-18, Blenheim Singers offers four unique programmes: three
telling the fascinating story of the music associated with some of
the great monarchs of Great Britain, and the fourth presenting
Brahms greatest choral work.
With its unique link to Blenheim Palace, the Blenheim
Singers
shares the vision of the Palaces UNESCO status by building
peace
into the minds of men and women through musical performances
of the highest level.
Now celebrating the 10th anniversary since their
groundbreaking
debut performance in the Palaces opulent Chapel, audiences
continue to be enthralled by the authentic and contemporary
musical experiences. In 2016 performances in Germany and
France
were received passionately with standing ovations.
Blenheim Palace, the seat of the Duke of Marlborough and
birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, is the majestic backdrop
for
Hollywood film productions such as Harry Potter and James
Bond
007, Spectre.
In recognition of the Palaces namesake, the Blenheim Singers
maintains links with Blindheim in Germany, and regularly
collaborates with the Bavarian Music Academy.
About the Blenheim Singers
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GlorianaA programme celebrating the composers and writers
who flourished under the patronage of Queen Elizabeth I.
The arts were central to her long and peaceful reign and
composers such as William Byrd and writer William
Shakespeare both benefited from her support.
This concert features some of the finest a cappella
singing in a celebration of the music and poetry of the
period together with some more contemporary works
inspired by the spirit of the age. A truly magical evening
of top quality music for any occasion.
Programme
Sheppard: Libera nosTallis: If ye love meTallis: O nata luxByrd:
Haec DiesByrd: Ave verum corpusGibbons: Magnificat and Nunc
dimittis 'Short'Britten: Choral Dances from Gloriana'
Vaughan Williams: Three Shakespeare SongsShearing: SpringRutter:
It was a lover and his lassRutter: When daisies pied
Encore - Bernstein: Somewhere
Specification
Running time: 2 x 50 mins
Performers: 16 singers + conductor
Cost: 4,100 (plus travel and accommodation if over 100 miles
from Oxford)
The Blenheim Singers exude an
infectious joy performing together
with a palpable intimacy that is a
pleasure to witness. Dernires Nouvelles
DAlsace
Music and poetry from the reign of Queen Elizabeth I
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RestorationP
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1660 saw the return of the Monarchy with the coronation
of King Charles II of England, Scotland, and Ireland. Under
his reign and the period that followed under James II,
William III & Mary II, the arts flourished with European
influences, bold new architecture and innovative new
writings. The baroque age was born!
This concert celebrates the Restoration with some of the
finest instrumental and vocal works of the period. Drawn
from both the secular and sacred realms, Restoration is a
vibrant and uplifting concert performance on period
instruments perfect for a special occasion or festival
opening/closing concert.
Specification
Running time: 2 x 50 mins
Performers: 16 singers, orchestra + conductor
Cost: 5,650 (plus travel and accommodation if over 100 miles
from Oxford)
The Return of the Monarchy
Exquisite and magnificent
choral attack. The Oxford Times
Programme
Henry Cooke: Put me not to rebuke, O LordPelham Humfrey: By the
waters of BabylonMatthew Locke: Descende Caelo Cincta Sororibus -
'The Oxford Ode'Purcell: Hear my prayerJohn Blow: God spake
sometimes in visionsPurcell: My heart is inditingPurcell: When I am
laid in earth + With drooping wings (Dido and Aeneas)
Purcell: Sound the trumpet (Come ye sons of art)Purcell: 'Tis
wine was made to rule the dayPurcell: O dive custosPurcell: Thou
knowest, Lord the secrets of our hearts Z58c
Encore - Purcell: Thus nature rejoices from Come ye sons of
art
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The King Shall Rejoice
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George Frideric Hndels first commission as a newly
naturalised British subject was to write the music for the
1727
coronation of George II of Great Britain and Queen Caroline.
Hndels music blossomed under his courtly patronage which
was further celebrated following the glorious victory over
the
French at the 1743 Battle of Dettingen.
A strikingly vibrant large scale programme for voices and
period instruments celebrating the world of Hndel and King
George II. Premiered in festivals in Germany and France in
2016, the Blenheim Singers is proud to offer this programme
to Festivals across the UK in 2017 as a concert to remember.
Specification
Running time: 2 x 50 mins
Performers: 18 singers, orchestra + conductor
Cost: 9,500 (plus travel and accommodation if over 100 miles
from Oxford)
Hndel and the Court of King George II
Impressively expressed by the powerful performance of the
singers and instrumentalists.
Hndels Dettingen Te Deum was performed with lavish
colours and radiant climaxes. Frankfurter Allgemeine
Programme
G. F. Hndel: Dettingen Te DeumG. F. Hndel: Organ Concerto in B
flat, Op. 4, No. 2
G. F. Hndel: Coronation AnthemsZadok the PriestLet thy Hand be
StrengthenedThe King shall RejoiceMy Heart is Inditing
Encore - G. F. Handel: Hallelujah' from Messiah
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A German RequiemP
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Brahms created the London Version of his famous
German Requiem in 1869 with piano duet (four
hands on one piano). This compact version offers a
more intimate and affordable alternative to the full
scale work and has become a firm favourite with
singers and audiences alike.
Alongside will feature Elgars evocative masterpiece
From the Bavarian Highlands and an exciting recent
work by Sebastian Bartmann, Last Letters.
For this magnificent and
moving concert, the Blenheim
Singers are joined by 1st prize
winners in Krakow, Valberg
and Oslo, Barbara and
Sebastian Bartmann - the
award winning Bavarian piano
duo imPuls.
Specification
Running time: 1 x 35 mins, 1 x 70 mins
Performers: 2 pianists (one grand piano), 16 singers +
conductor
Cost: 4,750 (plus travel and accommodation if over 100 miles
from Oxford)
Great music for two pianists and choir
The Blenheim Singers, the must of British vocal art, are made up
of voices of
rare perfection. An elegant and captivating ensemble. Pierre
Chevreau, Artistic Director
Festival International dOrgue de Masevaux, Alsace
Programme Sir Edward Elgar: Scenes from the Bavarian Highlands,
Op. 27
Sebastian Bartmann: Last Letters p.s. voices before and
beyond
Johannes Brahms: Requiem (London Version), Op. 45
http://www.duoimpuls.eu/http://www.duoimpuls.eu/
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EnquiriesBlenheim Singers are available for
performances at Festivals, Arts Centres,
Concert Series and Events. Do get in
touch if you would like to discuss any of
our programmes on offer for 2017-18.
+44 (0)7733 330913
[email protected]
www.blenheimsingers.com
/blenheimsingers
@blenheimsingers
BLENHEIMSINGERS
OXFORD
mailto:[email protected]://www.blenheimsingers.commailto:[email protected]://www.blenheimsingers.com
