The British vocal ensemble VOCES8, nominated for a Grammy in 2023, is the world’s most streamed classical vocal group. The a cappella ensemble tours worldwide with leading musicians, orchestras, conductors and soloists.

Barber’s compelling Adagio for Strings evokes a universal sense of sorrow, beauty and hope. In Agnus Dei, his later choral arrangement, this is further intensified. The version for choir and strings, performed by Amsterdam Sinfonietta and the British vocal ensemble VOCES8, will leave no one unmoved.

The Lark Ascending, the ethereal song of the lark, also reaches greater heights in the special arrangement for solo violin, strings and choir.
More birds make themselves heard in Biber’s playful imitations of the nightingale and the cuckoo, in Elgar’s mysterious Owls, or fall silent in Tin’s The Saddest Noise.

In this concert, where nature takes centre stage, you will hear music ranging from the medieval mystic Hildegard von Bingen to a new work by Mathilde Wantenaar in her characteristic lyrical and enchanting style.

• direction & violin Candida Thompson vocals VOCES8
• programme Golijov – K’vakarat from Dreams and Prayers of Isaac the Blind | von Bingen – Karitas: Part I | Shaw – The Beech Tree from Plan & Elevation | Shaw – Sarabande from Partita for 8 Voices | Shaw – And the Swallow | Biber – The Nightingale from Sonata Representativa | Biber – The Cuckoo from Sonata Representativa | Rameau – La poule | Tin – The Saddest Noise from The Lost Birds | The Beatles – Free As a Bird | Barber – Agnus Dei | Hasse – Fugue and Grave in G minor | Wantenaar – new work | Elgar – Owls from 4 Part Songs | Vaughan Williams – The Lark Ascending