VentiQuattro

Classical A Cappella Singing

Food For The Soul

inspiration...

and some perspiration too as 24 tackles all of the Bach motets this year.

We start with those who inspired Bach, and a romp through some of the most cheerful and engaging renaissance motets from Palestrina and his contemporaries

inspiration

Bach is rightly viewed as the master of the motet form, but he was both inspired, and inspiring in his turn.

In 24 we love a challenge, so yes, we're building performances of all of Bach's motets, but we're splitting it into two concerts - the first - the context and shoulders on which he stood - those who inspired him, notably Palestrina and his contemporaries. The second concert (in November) showcases those he's inspired too - from Lauridsen to MacMillan.

Because these are complex pieces they often have a somewhat daunting aura - 'serious' classical music. But that's not 'our take'. There's so much joy, dance, fun, and exuberance in Jesu Meine Freude or Ich Lasse Dich Nicht we thought it only fair to set them alongside Renaissance epics. Gibbons' O Clap Your Hands is every bit as much of a challenge as any Bach, while Monteverdi's Cantate Domino and Palestrina's Exultate (let alone Petrus) show how the early motet genres developed. We also 'nod' to late medieval chant with von Bingen, the sacred repertoire at its most reverential with Lotti, as well as Hassler, Sweelinck, Victoria and other masters of the art. Showcasing Bach in context is the aim, but the delivery will always be fun too.

There will be a chance to join us in a Come & Sing in April too - so drop us a line by email to dj@vq24.fun if you want to reserve a voice part position.

A few of the highlights

Bach

Ich Lasse Dich Nicht

This is a complex piece of liturgy that works on so many levels, so not surprisingly Bach splits the ensemble into two choirs and adds icing on the cake towards the end too. Just sublime, and hard to do justice to (but Luminis manage it on YT here).

Gibbons

O Clap Your Hands

A piece written by a musical director as a challenge on their doctorate it's fun to build and explore - and it's full of techniques and 'angles' that Bach would have loved (and copied). It a dance and simply Fun on a stick.

Palestrina

Exultate Domino

You really don't need an excuse like a quincentennial birthday for someone like Palestrina to explore his wonderful repertoire. We're starting with the famous Exultate, but also luxuriating in the Tu Es Petrus later - both superb examples of the motet form, but in very different ways.