Tenebrae Choir - Mother & Child

The world-renowned Tenebrae Choir from London back in Geneva for the first time in over 23 years

The award-winning Tenebrae Choir is one of the world's leading vocal ensembles, renowned for its passion and precision. Under the direction of Nigel Short, the Tenebrae Choir performs at major festivals and venues around the world and is recognised far beyond the choral scene with over 40 CD recordings.

Less well known is the fact that the Tenebrae Choir sang its first concerts in Switzerland over 23 years ago. Nigel Short, who lived in Switzerland at the time, remembers the birth of the choir:

In spring 2001, the late Lady Valerie Solti asked me over coffee if I could organise a Christmas concert in December at Geneva Cathedral, where another choir had just withdrawn from a date. I fairly casually said of “Of course, no problem”. The next time I saw Valerie she told me she had confirmed the concert with the senior Pastor at the Cathedral, and she fired off half a dozen questions at me that made me realise I might have bitten off more than I could chew…. What was my choir called? Could I send a recording so that the Pastor could hear us? He was anxious to ensure that the music would be appropriate, and that we ourselves were of suitable quality to perform in such a splendid Cathedral. Why should they choose us over other choirs with well-established reputations? Oh dear…

Those interested can read the continuation of the story in Nigel's blog.

So look forward to the brilliant return of the Tenebrae Choir in Geneva Cathedral. The programme ‘Mother & Child’ is a poignant exploration of the deep and tender relationship between a mother and her child, interwoven with a rich selection of contemporary and modern choral works.

The programme begins with the mystical sounds of Arvo Pärt, whose pieces ‘O Wisdom’ and ‘Beatitudes’ inspire the audience to reflect on the wisdom and blessings of life. This is followed by Gustav Holst's cheerful ‘Ave Maria’ and the powerful ‘Nunc Dimittis’. Caroline Shaw's ‘And the Swallow’ offers a modern and refreshing perspective. 'The sparrow found a house and the swallow her nest, where she may place her young' - a beautiful image of a bird trying to keep her children safe.

The centrepiece of the programme is John Tavener's ‘Mother and Child’, a twelve-minute work that explores the sacred bond and emotional depths of motherhood. Tavener's evocative music captures the intimate and universal aspects of this relationship. Composed by John Tavener for Tenebrae in 2002, it is a work from the choir's early years, fitting for its return to Geneva Cathedral.

An organ interlude follows, preparing the audience for the lively and dynamic ‘Magnificat’ by Giles Swayne, a powerful and jubilant expression of praise. The programme then returns to Tavener with ‘The Lamb’, a hauntingly beautiful setting of a poem by William Blake that reflects on innocence and sacrifice, themes inherent in the motif of mother and child.

The programme concludes with Arvo Pärt's ‘Salve Regina’, a majestic and contemplative piece that is a final, heartfelt homage to the Virgin Mary, the eternal symbol of maternal love and mercy.

Concert info

Sunday, 26 January 2025
17:00
Saint-Pierre Cathedral Geneva

Tenebrae Choir (chamber choir with 21 singers)
N.N., organist
Nigel Short, conductor

Programme

Arvo Pärt (1935)

O Weisheit
Beatitudes

Gustav Holst (1874-1934)

Ave Maria
Nunc Dimittis

Organ interlude

Caroline Shaw (1982)

And the Swallow

John Tavener (1944-2013)

Mother & Child

Organ interlude

Giles Swayne (1946)

Magnificat

John Tavener

The Lamb

Arvo Pärt

Salve Regina

Prices
1st category: Fr. 60
2nd category: Fr. 50
3rd category: Fr. 40 (restricted view of the main stage)
4th category: Fr. 30 (no view of the main stage)

*The choir moves around the room during the concert, so that the concert is also an experience from the seats with restricted views to the stage.