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… The programme was a masterly compilation by conductor Keith Bennett ... they were on really good form, particularly in capturing the irresistible momentum, the surging phrases and rich texture of this expressive writing Bath Chronicle, 26 March 2012.

… The results were a triumph of playing and singing in a combination of chorus and soloists, the programme cleverly designed to illustrate the contrast between the use of plainchant, polyphony in the words of the Latin Magnificat, and the bounding excitement of the dance rhythms Bath Chronicle, 19 December 2011.

… The choir brought warmth and barely contained passion to it, evoking the beauty of the text exactly as it requires. Bath Chronicle, 10/2009

… Music to be remembered and treasured, performed by these gifted singers with style and artistry. Bath Chronicle

… a quite magnificent performance of Bach’s Mass in B Minor.

… well nigh perfect … seamlessly, beautifully balanced and poised.

… a remarkable tour de force.

… The singers … slipped effortlessly between the centuries. Bath Chronicle

2011 Season

• Saturday 24^th March St Alphege Church, Oldfield Lane, Bath • 7.30pm

  Monteverdi Mass 1610

  Monteverdi Mass 1610 In illo tempore
  Gombert In illo tempore
  Macmillan Dominus dabit
  Gombert Lugebat David Absalon
  MacMillan Videns Dominus
  Clemens non Papa/Crequillon Pater peccavi
  MacMillan Mitte manum tuam

• Saturday 19^th May St Swithin's Church, Walcot, Bath • 7.30pm

  Alessandro Striggio’s Mass in 40/60 parts

  

  Paragon Singers are delighted to be combining with the Thomas-Selle-Vokalensemble, an outstanding chamber choir from Berlin, to give the first performance in the area of one of the most exciting musical discoveries of recent years. Striggio’s mass is written in 40 separate parts – expanding to 60 in the Agnus Dei! Striggio was principal composer at the Medici court in Florence in the 1560s, and the mass (or the motet to which it is closely related) is thought to have inspired Tallis to write Spem in alium in competition. The 40/60 voices create a glorious, oscillating web of sound which has to be experienced live to get the full effect – and this is your chance, in an all-vocal performance quite different from I Fagiolini’s recent recording.

  Also in the programme are Striggio’s own 40-part motet, a 36-part motet by Ockeghem, a 24-part motet by Josquin Desprez and a 19-part motet by Robert Carver. A glorious feast of sound awaits! 

  Tickets

  Tickets £12.00 (£5.00 students, under 12s free) from Bath Festivals Box Office (01225 463362), or send a cheque (made out to Paragon Singers) + stamped addressed envelope to Paragon Singers, 37 Winsley, Bradford on Avon, BA15 2LT.

  Full programme

  Alessandro Striggio - motet Ecce beatam lucem (40-part)
  Thomas-Selle-Vokalensemble - motets by Thomas Selle
  Robert Carver - motet O bone Jesu (19-part)
  Alessandro Striggio - mass Ecco si beato giorno/Kyrie & Gloria (40-part)

  Alessandro Striggio - mass Ecco si beato giorno/Credo (40-part)
  Josquin Desprez  - canon-motet Qui habitat (24-part)
  Johannes Ockeghem - canon-motet Deo gratias (36-part)
  Paragon Singers - motets by Tallis, Byrd and Weelkes
  Alessandro Striggio - mass Ecco si beato giorno/Sanctus & Agnus Dei (40/60-part)