The Sixteen: Choral Pilgrimage 2024: Masters of Imitation

Celebrating the art of imitation, The Sixteen's 2024 Choral Pilgrimage explores music from the master of parody, Orlande de Lassus, alongside works by Josquin, Casulana and Bob Chilcott.

The richly sensual choral music of Renaissance master Orlande de Lassus provides a stunning centrepiece to our 2024 pilgrimage programme. Music that speaks of love earthly and divine, his motets, masses and madrigals were written over 300 years ago. But they still have the immediacy and intricacy to resonate with us today, especially when heard in the lofty surrounds of stunning chapels, churches and cathedrals.

Daringly designed and stitched in fine detail, they are in fact tailored from scraps of other music, whether Lassus’ own, the music of his revered predecessor Josquin or the monochrome beauty of plainchant. They will revive this imitation game by commissioning a new piece clothed in material borrowed from Lassus, and wrap it around two exquisite madrigals from Maddalena Casulana. An Italian lutenist and singer, she was the first female composer in the history of western music to have a whole book of her works printed. Something old, something new, something borrowed…

Doors Open at 19:00

Programme

Plainsong Lauda Jerusalem Dominum (Psalm 147)
Lassus Osculetur me osculo oris sui
Casulana Morir non puo il mio core
Lassus ‘Credo’ from Missa Osculetur me
Josquin Benedicta es caelorum Regina
Lassus Cantai, or piango
Lassus Lauda Jerusalem Dominum

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Chatelet Benedicta es caelorum Regina
Lassus Salve Regina a6
Casulana Vagh’ amorosi augelli
Lassus Magnificat Benedicta es caelorum Regina
Bob Chilcott Lauda Jerusalem Dominum (parody on Lassus’ Cantai, or piango)

Performers

The Sixteen

Harry Christophers conductor