I Was Glad, Classic Choral Anthems

The Hamilton Civic Choir is delighted to be performing live this September, in a concert entitled I was Glad. Indeed we are; glad to be one of a very few fortunate choirs around the world who still have this privilege. We hope that you enjoy our concert as much as we have loved practising it.

We are presenting a selection of ancient and modern church anthems – sacred choral pieces, short in length, but large and dramatic in style. We will sing works in English, Latin, French and German, including Heinrich Schültz’s glorious 16th century 2-choir anthem Jauchzet dem Herren, Brahms lyrical Geistliches Lied, Fauré’s Cantique de Jean Racine and Duruflé’s enduring Ubi Caritas, as well as some more modern works.

Our major work for this concert is an ambitious one; Thomas Tallis’s 40 part motet, Spem in Alium Nunquam Habui, written around 1570 as a statement of Roman Catholic faith at a time when this was a dangerous undertaking. The motet calls for eight choirs of five voices, which take turns to lead in a complex and ever-changing weaving of individual, group and whole choir singing. It is quite a challenge! Come along and enjoy this wonderful celebration of church music.