Temple Winter Festival [Radio 3 Live In Concert]

Live from the Temple Church, London

Presented by Sara Mohr-Pietsch

Launching a week of concerts from one of London's most historic and atmospheric churches, this Temple Winter Festival opens with a programme of chamber music for the season.

William Alwyn: Winter Poems

Stravinsky: 3 Pieces for Clarinet Solo

Arensky: String Quartet no 2 in A minor, op 35, slow movement

Suk: Meditation on an old Czech hymn 'St Wenceslas', op.35a

8.15 Interval: the Reverend Robin Griffith-Jones, Master of The Temple, talks to Sara Mohr-Pietsch about the origins and extraordinary history of the Temple Church, consecrated 800 years ago.

1: The Knights Templar and the Temple Church.

8.35

Mozart: Quintet in A for Clarinet and Strings K. 581

Mark Simpson (clarinet)

Heath Quartet

A week's concerts from the beautiful surroundings of London's Temple Church opens with a the Heath Quartet's selection of chamber music for the winter season. Three rarely-heard string quartet miniatures by William Alwyn are companion pieces to a set of variations by Anton Arensky on a well-known Christmas song by Tchaikovsky. Josef Suk's soulful meditation is based on a tune celebrating a saint who - today - is indelibly associated with Christmas festivities, but here is heard in his guise as a patriotic emblem of Czech nationalism. Joining the Heath Quartet, rising young clarinettist Mark Simpson plays three dazzling miniatures by Stravinsky, and - after the interval - one of the acknowledged jewels of the whole chamber music repertoire: Mozart's timeless Clarinet Quintet

The Temple Winter Festival series of concerts is promoted by BBC Radio 3 in association with the Temple Church and Hazard Chase Ltd.

Mark Simpson (clarinet) and Heath Quartet in Alwyn, Stravinsky, Arensky, Suk and Mozart.

Presenting exciting live musical events from all over the world

The amazing vocal ensemble Vox Luminis serves up a feast of late Renaissance and early Baroque music celebrating the birth of Christ. Directed by Lionel Meunier, this ensemble's inspiring music making is capturing the attention of audiences throughout the world.

Vox Luminis (choir)

Lionel Meunier (director)

Presented by Sara Mohr-Piersch

Scheidt: Das alte Jahr vergangen ist

J.M. Bach: Sei, lieber Tag, wilkommen

Schütz: Deutsches Magnificat

Schein: Nun komm der Heiden Heiland

Schütz: O lieber Herre Gott

J.M. Bach: Fürchtet euch nicht

Schein: Von Himmel hoch

M Praetorius: Wie Sch怀n leuchtet der Morgenstern

8.10: Interval music - organ music for the season of Advent and Christmas by J S Bach

8.30

Scheidt: Puer natus in Bethleem

Schütz: Hodie Christus natus est

Scheidt: Jauchzet Gott alle Land

Schütz: Ein Kind ist uns geboren

Pachelbel: Singet dem Herrn

M Praetorius: Angelus ad pastores ait

H. Praetorius: In dulci jubilo

Schein: Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ

Scheidt: Ach mein herzliebes Jesulein

Scheidt: O Jesulein süss, O Jesulein mild.

Vox Luminis in late Renaissance and early Baroque music celebrating the birth of Christ.

Presenting exciting live musical events from all over the world

Polyphony was formed by Stephen Layton in 1986 for a concert in King's College Chapel, Cambridge. Since then the choir has performed and recorded regularly to great critical acclaim throughout the world. This evening they will present a festive programme of 20th Century English music, featuring works by the likes of Sir John Tavener and Herbert Howells.

Polyphony (choir)

Stephen Layton (conductor)

Greg Morris (organ)

Presented by Sara Mohr-Pietsch

Byrt: All and some (Nowell sing we)

Howells: Carol-Anthem No.1 - Here is the little door; Long, long ago; Carol-Anthem No.3 - Sing lullaby

Warlock: As dew in Aprylle; Bethlehem Down (When he is King we will give him the King's gifts); I saw a fair maiden

Leighton: Fantasy on Veni Emmanuel

Warlock/Carter: Lullaby my Jesus

Warlock: A Cornish Christmas carol; Benedicamus Domino

MUSIC INTERVAL

Tavener: Today the Virgin; The lamb; A hymn to the Mother of God

Whitlock: Carol (no.1 of Four Extemporisations)

Leighton: Of a rose is all my song; A Hymn of the Nativity; Three Carols, Op.25 (The Star-song; Lully, lulla, thou little tiny child; Ode on the birth of Our Saviour)

Murill: Carillon

Rathbone: Oxen

Wishart: Carol Op.17 No.3 - Alleluya, a new Work is come on Hand.

Polyphony perform festive 20th-century music including Tavener, Howells and Warlock.

Presenting exciting live musical events from all over the world

Live from the Temple Church, London

Presented by Sara Mohr-Pietsch

For the second concert in this week of music-making from London's Temple Church, the award-winning Tallis Scholars present a programme of choral music for the season of Advent and Christmas.

Orlandus Lassus: Omnes de Saba

Hans-Leo Hassler: Missa Octava

Heinrich Schütz: Deutsches Magnificat

8.15 Interval: the Reverend Robin Griffith-Jones, Master of The Temple, uncovers more of the history of this extraordinary church, in conversation with Sara Mohr-Pietsch.

2: Magna Carta, London's Temple and the Road to the Rule of Law

8.35

Arvo P䀀rt: Magnificat Antiphons

Hieronymous Praetorius: Magnificat V

Peter Phillips (director)

Lying at the heart of this typically creative Tallis Scholars programme is the Magnificat - the words uttered by the Virgin Mary upon being told by the Angel Gabriel that she is to bear the Son of God. Magnificat settings by the contemporary composer Arvo P䀀rt, whose serene and contemplative music has brought him many admirers, are paired with 17th-century German settings by the early baroque masters Heinrich Schütz and Hieronymous Praetorius - whose festive Christmas Magnificat incorporates the traditional German carols 'Joseph Lieber' and 'In dulci jubilo'.

Completing the programme, a lavish double-choir mass setting by Hassler, and a striking motet telling of the coming of the Three Kings by Orlandus Lassus.

The Temple Winter Festival series of concerts is promoted by BBC Radio 3 in association with the Temple Church and Hazard Chase Ltd.

Tallis Scholars perform choral music for Advent and Christmas at the Temple Church, London

Presenting exciting live musical events from all over the world

Sarah Mohr-Pietsch presents this concert live from the Temple Church in London, featuring two of the grandest masses of the sixteenth century. Both masses were composed upon a Christmas theme: the 'Missa Puer natus est nobis' of Thomas Tallis, was probably written for a grand celebration of the visit of Phillip II of Spain to England in the 1550s. Cipriano de Rore's 'Missa Praeter rerum seriem', is based on a famous Christmas motet by Josquin des Prez. They are performed by one of Britain's leading vocal ensembles.

Verdelot: Beata es Virgo

Josquin des Prez: Praeter rerum seriem

De Rore: Kyrie from Missa Praeter rerum seriem

Anon: Puer natus est nobis

Tallis: Gloria from Missa Puer natus est nobis

MUSIC INTERVAL including Warlock's Capriol Suite - based on a set of Renaissance dances.

Lassus: Magnificat Praeter rerum seriem

Tallis: Sanctus and Benedictus from Missa Puer natus est nobis

De Rore: Agnus I from Missa Praeter rerum seriem

Tallis: Agnus II from Missa Puer natus est nobis.

Gallicantus performs masses by Tallis and Rore at the Temple Church in London.

Presenting exciting live musical events from all over the world

Live from the Temple Church, London

Presented by Sara Mohr-Pietsch

Continuing a week of concerts from one of London's most historic and atmospheric churches, tenor James Gilchrist and pianist Anna Tilbrook perform their acclaimed interpretation of Schubert's song cycle 'Winterreise'.

Schubert: Winterreise

James Gilchrist (tenor)

Anna Tilbrook (piano)

Schubert's Winterreise, depicting a poet's winter's journey, perfectly captures the cold and darkness of this time of year. The cycle of 24 songs based on poems by Schubert's favourite song-poet Wilhelm Muller, shocked the composer's friends at the time with its bleak sentiments and sounds - yet Schubert insisted that Winterreise was as good as anything he'd written, and time has proved him right. James Gilchrist trained as a doctor before turning to music, and he is celebrated for his individual approach and imaginative programming. His recording of Winterreise with Anna Tilbrook was CD of the Month in BBC Music Magazine, Editor's Choice in Classical Music Magazine and Album of the Week in the Independent.

Following the concert, the Reverend Robin Griffith-Jones, Master of The Temple, tells more of the story of the Temple Church, in conversation with Sara Mohr-Pietsch.

3: The 17th century Temple, Cradle of Democracy

The Temple Winter Festival series of concerts is promoted by BBC Radio 3 in association with the Temple Church and Hazard Chase.

James Gilchrist and pianist Anna Tilbrook perform Schubert's song cycle Winterreise.

Presenting exciting live musical events from all over the world

Live from the Temple Church, London

Presented by Sara Mohr-Pietsch

Continuing a week of concerts from one of London's most historic and atmospheric churches, the Temple's own choir is joined by the Temple Players for a Christmas-themed programme of Vivaldi's Gloria plus sacred pieces from medieval times to the Baroque.

Plainchant: Creator of the stars

Bach: Chorale Prelude 'Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland', BWV 661

Weelkes: Hosanna to the son of David

Gibbons: This is the record of John

Bach: Chorale Prelude 'Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland', BWV 659

Byrd: Vigilate

Bach: Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland (Advent Cantata), BWV 62

8.15 Interval: Sara Mohr-Pietsch talks to the Reverend Robin Griffith-Jones, Master of The Temple, about the Temple Church and its history.

4: Music at the Temple: from John Stanley to Ernest Lough

8.35: part two

Vivaldi: Concerto in D minor for two oboes, RV 535 (soloists Hannah McLaughlin and Leo Duarte)

Vivaldi: Gloria in D, RV 589

The Choir of The Temple Church, London

Greg Morris (organ)

Roger Sayer (director)

The Temple Church dates from the 12th century, built as the headquarters of the Knights Templar. The church has had a full-time choir since 1842, and it became world famous for its classic 1927 recording of 'O for the Wings of a Dove'. More recently, the choir commissioned John Tavener's epic all-night music vigil 'The Veil of the Temple'. Threaded through the first half is Bach's 'Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland' (Come now, Saviour of the Heathen), heard as organ chorale preludes and a cantata, contrasted with some of the great choral pieces of renaissance England. The second half is devoted to Vivaldi, his triumphant Gloria, celebrating the season.

The Temple Winter Festival series of concerts is promoted by BBC Radio 3 in association with the Temple Church and Hazard Chase Ltd.

A performance of Vivaldi's Gloria, plus sacred works by Bach, Weelkes, Gibbons and Byrd.

Presenting exciting live musical events from all over the world

Temple Church Choir return home to perform an eclectic evening of 20th and 21st century choral music embracing popular music from England and America. The programme celebrates Christmas and the forthcoming Magna Carta celebrations, including the world premiere of the Temple Church Choir's new commission by Nico Muhly.

Britten: Te Deum and Jubilate in C

Organ and brass interlude

Gardner: Sonata Secolare, Op.117

Whitacre: Lux aurumuque; Sleep

Muhly: Our Present Charter (WP)

INTERVAL

Walton: The Twelve

Bednall: Iubilium

Rutter: Gloria.

The Temple Church Choir and Temple Brass perform 20th- and 21st-century choral music.

Presenting exciting live musical events from all over the world

Presented by Sara Mohr-Pietsch

Live from London, a seasonal favourite in new garb: Handel's 'Messiah' in a version accompanied by wind orchestra.

G F Handel: Messiah (arr. Aareskjold)

Part 1

Part 2 (first part)

8.30 Interval music: Sara Mohr-Pietsch talks to Stian Aareskjold - who made tonight's arrangement - about his fascination with the music of the Baroque, and introduces music from Handel's own organ concertos, which were often performed in the intervals of his oratorios during Handel's day.

Part 2 (conclusion)

Part 3

Fflur Wyn (soprano)

Robin Blaze (countertenor)

Samuel Boden (tenor)

David Soar (bass)

BBC Singers

Norwegian Wind Ensemble

David Hill (conductor)

The Norwegian Wind Ensemble is one of the Norway's most distinguished instrumental groups, with a its history extending back to the 18th century. Innovative and distinctive programming and a repertoire of music old and new is a notable feature of the ensemble's work. But it has also specialised in arranging 18th-century works for symphonic wind band. Anyone who heard Radio 3's live broadcast, last December, of Bach's Christmas Oratorio in the version created by the NWE will know how convincing, compelling, and virtuosic these performers can be. Tonight the NWE's players turn their attention to Handel's 'Messiah' - the well-loved choral masterpiece given new clothes here in this arrangement accompanied by wind orchestra.

Concluding this week of broadcasts from the Temple Winter Festival, David Hill directs the BBC Singers, the NWE, and an impressive team of soloists, live from the magnificent surroundings of one of London's most historic and atmospheric churches.

From the Temple Church, Handel's Messiah in a version with wind orchestra accompaniment.

Presenting exciting live musical events from all over the world

Live from the Temple Church, London

Presented by Sara Mohr-Pietsch

Concluding this week of concerts from London's Temple Church, the choral work which - for many listeners - sums up the Christmas message best of all: Handel's great oratorio 'Messiah'.

Handel: Messiah (part 1)

8.00 Interval: in a final conversation with the Reverend Robin Griffith-Jones, Master of The Temple, Sara Mohr-Pietsch finds out about the buildings and the institution in our own times.

5. The Temple and its Church Today

8.20

Handel: Messiah (parts 2 and 3)

Ruby Hughes (soprano)

David Allsopp (countertenor)

Robin Tritschler (tenor)

Neal Davies (bass)

BBC Singers

St James's Baroque

David Hill (conductor)

Composed, in a white-hot burst of creative inspiration, in just 24 days, Handel's Messiah has become, since its first performance in 1741, perhaps the best known of all sacred choral works. The piece re-tells the Biblical prophecies of Christ's coming, birth, death and resurrection, depicted with such power, passion and expressive warmth that Handel's music never fails to stir and move. 'He is the master of us all' said Josef Haydn, on first hearing the Hallelujah Chorus, and listeners since can only agree.

Tonight's performance brings together a brilliant team of soloists, a leading period-instrument orchestra and the BBC Singers for a rare complete performance of the work - uncut, and presented just as Handel wrote it.

The Temple Winter Festival series of concerts is promoted by BBC Radio 3 in association with the Temple Church and Hazard Chase Ltd.

Live from the Temple Church, London, Sara Mohr-Pietsch presents Handel's oratorio Messiah.

Presenting exciting live musical events from all over the world