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q2

presents

THE GREAT SERVICE

William Byrd

 

In a new setting for brass and vocal double ensemble

as well as other motets and instrumental works by such English Masters as:

Tallis, Morley, Gibbons and Brade


January 20 Elandstraatkerk, Elandstraat, the Hague

January 21 English Church, Bagijnhof, Amsterdam.

Price: €15 full / €10 concession.

A fresh approach to Renaissance chamber music

Q^2 is a new group formed of sackbuts, cornetti and voices. Its members perform with such ensembles as the Residentieorkest, the Netherlands Bach Society, BrassAbility, Musica Poetica and Xynix Opera.  The ensemble's core repertoire stems from the double choir tradition of the high renaissance, a tradition as rich as it is rarely performed.

The unusual (and musically glorious) combination of solo voices and solo brass, the ensemble's freshness of perspective, its technical excellence and expertise in historical performance and improvisational practice combine to make this ensemble's work unique.

The ensemble's inaugural project is centred around a transcription of William Byrd's Great Service, originally set for double choir, for Q^2's constellation of brass and voices. Each double choir movement in the transcription has one choir of brass players with a vocal soloist and one vocal choir with a brass soloist.  This use of forces has strong resonances with the italian tradition of the time. The programme will also feature motet and instrumental repertoire from such English Masters as Tallis, Morley, Gibbons and Brade.

To Helen Thomson’s website