Tenebrae Choir - Engelsmusik

The world-renowned Tenebrae Choir from London at Münster Bern

On February 28, 2026, an extraordinary choral concert will premiere at Münster Bern, combining contemporary Swiss compositions with international masterpieces of choral literature. At the center are two world premieres, composed especially for the renowned British choir Tenebrae under the direction of Nigel Short.

The work “Dum Aurora” (2025) by Ticino composer Ivo Antognini opens the program. Antognini, recipient of the Swiss Music Prize, combines emotional depth with the highest sonic refinement in his work. His new double-choir composition continues this line consistently and was created especially for Tenebrae’s expressive sound.

The second world premiere comes from Jessica Ulusoy-Horsley, a Swiss-British composer whose dual perspective is reflected in a musical language that is both rooted and cosmopolitan. Her work “in between” (2025) powerfully reflects on the theme of transcendence and the connection between sound and existence.

The program is complemented by classics of sacred choral music, including Felix Mendelssohn’s “Denn er hat seinen Engeln befohlen” and William Byrd’s “Ave verum Corpus”, which is contrasted with a striking composition by Roderick Williams (2020). In his Ave verum re-imagined, the choir splits into three groups and envelops the audience in sound. Frank Martin’s Mass for Double Choir (1922–1926), a monumental testament to Swiss vocal tradition, forms the centerpiece of the concert. Before that, Samuel Barber’s “Agnus Dei” – a work of simple grandeur – will be performed.

Concert Information

Saturday, February 28, 2026
8:00 p.m.
Bern Minster

Tenebrae Choir
Nigel Short, Conductor

Program

Ivo Antognini

Dum Aurora (2025)
World Premiere

Felix Mendelssohn

Denn er hat seinen Engeln befohlen (1844)

Jessica Ulusoy-Horsley

colours of light’s sound (2024/25)
in between (Music of Angels No. 2) (2025) Swiss Premiere

William Byrd

Ave verum Corpus (1605)

Roderick Williams

Ave verum Re-imagined (2016)

Samuel Barber

Agnus Dei (1967)

Frank Martin

Messe pour double chœur (1922–1926)

Prices
1st category: CHF 75
2nd category: CHF 55
3rd category: CHF 45
4th category: CHF 25 (restricted view of the main stage)

During the concert, the choir moves around the space, so the performance is also an experience from the more affordable seats.