18th December – AN ENGLISH CHRISTMAS
with St Martin's Singers conducted by Fergus Black
The centrepiece of the St Martin's Singers' programme was the cycle of six carols by Karl Jenkins (of Adiemus fame) with traditional carol words (Silent Night, In Dulci Jubilo etc) but with new music by Jenkins for women's choir, recorder and piano.
Other works by Britten (the fabulous Corpus Christi Carol), Vaughan Williams and Holst, together with solos from various members of the group made this a very special event.
8th November – CONCERT FOR REMEMBRANCE
Durufle's Requiem, conducted by Fergus Black, was the focus of a very moving concert at St Martins Church, Stamford, on Saturday 8th November. Music at St Martin's brought together three excellent choirs - Burghley Voices, the Hurstingstone Singers and The Moonlighters with soloists Anna Belson soprano, Caroline Lytle mezzo soprano, David Yeandle baritone, Robert Saunders reader and Paul Parsons organ.
The beautiful acoustic of St Martin's suited the Durufle Requiem composed after WWII in 1947, and the concert was given further poignancy on the eve of Remembrance Sunday by a touching performance of Alan Gray's "1914" - a setting, alternating with readings, of War Sonnets by Rupert Brooke.
The concert opened with the very beautiful Miserere (c.1638) by Allegri - a work once reserved exclusively for the Sistine Chapel - in which the combined choirs were conducted by Paul Parsons. The Three Motets Op.38 by Charles Villiers Stanford, published in 1905 and dedicated to Alan Gray, completed the programme.
SUE CLEMENTS, 9th November 2008
11th October – ZULEIKA and JFQ JAZZ
A lively concert with JFK Jazz fronted by Alex Moor followed by acoustic trio Zuleika.
Zuleika's music is New Age folk, crossing boundaries with Eastern, Celtic and Medieval using modern sampling techniques to produce an evocative blend of timbres and textures. The group, - Claire on flute and recorder, Mark on guitar and mandolin and Wil on bass - have a reputation for engaging and entrancing performances, and seem equally at home in folk clubs and churches.
July and August - SUMMER LUNCHTIME CONCERTS
Wednesdays, 23rd July to 20th August 2008
23rd July: Kenneth Court - organ recital
30th July: Concert from the Stamford International Chamber Music Festival.
6th August: Concert from the Stamford International Chamber Music Festival
13th August: St Martin's and St Mary's benefice choir
5th August – 4 GIRLS 4 HARPS
Four concert harps played by four International award-winning harpists, including Stamford's very own Eleanor Turner.
An engaging programme of well-known music by Ravel, Handel, Saint-Saëns, Lecuona, Karl Jenkins and Gershwin was enhanced by two original compositions by the group's composers, Eleanor Turner and Harriet Adie.
This was a popular and thoroughly delightful concert.
19th July – MUSIC FROM BURGHLEY
Saturday 19th July 2008 Music from Burghley
A truly notable concert by St Martin's Singers and Ensemble (on original instruments) with soloists Briget Howarth, Soprano, Sally van der Sterren, alto Paul Parsons, organ and conducted by Fergus Black.
The concert featured the first modern performance of Dies Irae by Salvador Pazzaglia , a remarkable find in the Burghley House Music Library that was transcribed especially for this concert.
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Comment from members of the audience
It was delightful; a rare treat, one of those concerts that make you glad still to be around.
We look forward to hearing about any future St Martin's concerts.
Stuart and Monika Rising
A truly notable concert by St Martin's Singers and Ensemble (on original instruments) with soloists Briget Howarth, Soprano, Sally van der Sterren, alto Paul Parsons, organ and conducted by Fergus Black.
The concert featured the first modern performance of Dies Irae by Salvador Pazzaglia , a remarkable find in the Burghley House Music Library that was transcribed especially for this concert.
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Comment from members of the audience
It was delightful; a rare treat, one of those concerts that make you glad still to be around.
We look forward to hearing about any future St Martin's concerts.
Stuart and Monika Rising
24th May – THE CECILIAN SINGERS
A floral concert conducted by Jeremy Jackman
A super concert directed by former King's Singer, Jeremy
Jackman. The floral theme was an association with the St Martin's Flower Festival which took place over the same weekend.
Jeremy Jackman has an international reputation as one of Britain's finest choral directors. As a singer, he was a member of the Tallis Scholars and the Kings Singers, and has made countless broadcasts and recordings. The choir regularly gives celebrity concerts with international stars such as Emma Kirkby and Peter Skellern; they have broadcast on BBC Radio 4 and have made successful European concert tours.
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26th April – VIVALDI COME-AND-SING
Vivaldi Come and Sing
Workshop and concert directed by Fergus Black
A "Come And Sing" workshop and concert of Vivaldi's famous Gloria, and his not-so-famous but equally wonderful Magnificat. The programme also included arias with obbligato Viola d'Amore and two concertos.
Vivaldi Magnificat RV 611
Vivaldi Opera Arias
Vivaldi Laudate Dominum
Vivaldi Concerto for viola d'amore
Bach Organ Concerto after Vivaldi
Vivaldi Gloria RV589
The concert included instrumentalists, the St Martin's and St Mary's benefice choir and soloists:
Briget Howarth, soprano
Grace Wain, soprano
Sally van der Sterren, alto
Leon King, viola d'amore
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9th February – CANTIONES RENOVATAE
Cantiones Renovatae -
Stamford Charter Celebration Concert
"Old songs refurbished, broken consorts mended, interrupted cadences completed, no job too small etc"
Cantiones Renovatae presented a delightful and varied programme of early music with an array of instruments including viol, lute, recorders, organ and harpsichord as well as Richard Lindsay's brilliant countertenor voice.
In short - a most enjoyable concert
Richard Lindsay (countertenor and recorders)
Margaret Westlake (viols and recorders)
Stewart McCoy (lutes and viols)
Kathleen Berg (organ and harpsichord)
