The Sixteen's Choral Pilgrimage 2013: The Queen of Heaven

World-renowned choir The Sixteen presents its most far-reaching Choral Pilgrimage tour yet, encompassing thirty-four concerts around the UK. The 2013 tour, entitled The Queen of Heaven, will see Harry Christophers CBE and his choir perform glorious music in churches and cathedrals for which it was written. On this year’s tour the group will take you through the musical evolution of the Allegri’s legendary and much-requested Miserere.

The programme also features stunning music by Palestrina, as well another brilliant yet contrasting setting of the Miserere by James Macmillan. The group’s founder and conductor Harry Christophers introduces the tour: 

"I have decided to look at the music of three composers who, although separated by centuries, are unique in their devotion to the church. Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina is often billed as ‘The Prince of Music’ and by some ‘The Saviour of Church Music’; of course there are many great composers of the Renaissance, but Palestrina shines out for his immaculate craftsmanship and his sheer output.

Today’s ‘Saviour of Church Music’ is undoubtedly James MacMillan. His setting of the Miserere is quite an astounding work, one which I guarantee will have you on the edge of your seat. I could not resist the opportunity to contrast MacMillan’s powerfully emotional setting with that of Gregorio Allegri. Allegri’s Miserere is the single most famous piece of sacred music ever written. However, mythology surrounds it and, in our Choral Pilgrimage, we aim to portray its evolution.

We really do have a wealth of simply glorious music for you which I have no doubt will enrich all our lives. Once again let our Pilgrimage bring this great music back to the buildings for which it was written".