WATCH vocal groups perform at 'Live from London - Christmas'
The seasonal 'Live from London - Christmas' festival runs from 1st December 2020 to 6th January 2021
Last updated 2nd Dec 2020
Cosy-up with Live from London – Christmas. The hugely successful concert series from earlier this year returns with a seasonal air for a new collection of concerts filmed 'live' from historic churches in London and venues around the world.
The starry festival includes 16 concerts from hosts VOCES8, The Tallis Scholars, Take 6, I Fagiolini, The Choir of Westminster Abbey, London Adventist Chorale, ANÚNA, amarcord, The Aeolians, Apollo5 and the Gabrieli Consort & Players. Soloists include Rachel Podger and Roderick Williams.
Live from London - Christmas will also feature six newly composed pieces of music written by Ken Burton, Melissa Dunphy, Jocelyn Hagen, Taylor Scott Davis, Paul Smith, Roderick Williams, plus seasonal favourites by Bach, Howells, Britten, Arvo Pärt, and John Tavener.
The festival is staged to raise money for artists, and includes a donation in the ticket price for education and diversity work.
How to watch Live from London - Christmas
Concerts are streamed digitally online and available as individual ticketed events or in a variety of packages.
To find out more and buy tickets, visit the Live from London - Christmas website.
Who's performing at the Live from London - Christmas Festival?
Rachel Podger and VOCES8
Baroque and classical violinist Rachel Podger joins the versatile vocal group VOCES8 for a unique collaboration combining music for solo violin and seasonal vocal favourites.
This beautiful, candlelit meditation includes solo Biber and Bach for which Rachel is acclaimed, alongside advent carols and prayers by Praetorius, Claas, Mendelssohn and Britten.
WATCH Rachel Podger and VOCES8 from 7pm GMT, Tuesday 1st December 2020.
amarcord
With excerpts from the latest CD "Weihnacht", the vocal ensemble amarcord presents a varied programme including Christmas carols from Germany.
WATCH amarcord from 7pm GMT, Saturday 19th December 2020.
The Choir of Westminster Abbey
The Choir of Westminster Abbey is renowned worldwide as one of the finest ensembles of its type, its performing activities rooted in centuries-old tradition and its repertoire extending from plainsong and Renaissance polyphony to twentieth-century masterpieces and new commissions.
In addition to singing the daily services, as it has done since the fourteenth century, the Choir plays a central role in the many royal and state occasions which are held in the Abbey, as well as reaching a wider audience through its programme of broadcasts, recordings and international tours.
Taking its inspiration from the traditional Festival of Lessons and Carols, the world-renowned Choir of Westminster Abbey presents its annual carol concert exclusively for LIVE From London - Christmas. An enticing selection of seasonal choral music ranging from Tudor polyphony to contemporary classics showcases the choir, whilst much-loved carols and biblical readings tell the story of Christmas. Atmospherically presented in the uniquely historic setting and gothic splendour of Westminster Abbey, this is an unforgettable way to experience the joy of the Christmas message in these uncertain times.
WATCH The Choir of Westminster Abbey from 7pm GMT, Tuesday 15 December 2020.
Roderick Williams joins VOCES8, The Aeolians and German Gents
Baritone Roderick Williams OBE joins VOCES8 and The Aeolians for a programme of music dedicated to Solstice reflects upon a tumultuous year whilst also celebrating the Christmas season. A set of 6 new pieces from a wonderful group of composers commissioned by the VOCES8 Foundation receive their world premiere performances: Roderick Williams premieres Ken Burton's 'Descend to Earth'.
WATCH Roderick Williams, VOCES8 and The Aeolians from 7pm GMT, Saturday 5 December 2020.
The Tallis Scholars
Described by The New York Times as 'The rock stars of Renaissance vocal music', the Tallis Scholars were founded in 1973 by their director, Peter Phillips. Through their recordings and concert performances, they have established themselves as the leading exponents of Renaissance sacred music throughout the world. Peter Phillips has worked with the ensemble to create the purity and clarity of sound which he feels best serve the Renaissance repertoire. It is the resulting beauty of sound for which The Tallis Scholars have become so widely renowned.
WATCH The Tallis Scholars from 7pm GMT, Saturday 12 December 2020.
For a full line-up of performers and concerts visit the Live from London - Christmas website.