Christmas remains my busiest and 2019 was no exception. There were a number of performances of There is No Rose in such contrasting settings as the huge Basilica of Immaculate Conception in Washington DC and closer to home at Canterbury Cathedral; and the work has also just been recorded by the Lux Choir in DC and the Utah State University Chamber Singers.

These complement the existing recordings by Tenebrae on A Very English Christmas, released in 2015 (Daily Telegraph’s Best Classical CD for Christmas, 2015); by Gabrieli on A Rose Magnificat (BBC Music Magazine Choral Award of the Year, 2019); and University College, Oxford on Dayspring Bright.

The prior year saw Tenebrae performing the premieres of 2 new pieces, both of much-loved texts – Bethlehem Down andO Magnum Mysterium – to a packed Kings Place. Recordings are planned for these pieces in 2020/21 and lock down has at least given me more time for composition of both sacred and profane pieces, many of which can be found in the Music Scores tab.

For Christmas 2020, sadly, all plans are currently on hold. The impact of Covid-19 on choirs – amateur and professional alike – has been catastrophic, indeed for the whole of the performing arts. But most professional singers are freelance and have had little or no income since lockdown. If you would like to support some of Tenebrae’s singers through its hardship fund, please go to: https://www.tenebrae-choir.com/support. Thank you.