The Sixteen's Blog

Grote of St. Bavokerk, Haarlem

The Choir returns to the Netherlands today to take part in the 6th Koorbiennale in Haarlem.  There are two concerts tomorrow, both including Allegri’s Miserere (see CD of the Month in the side-panel) and Tallis’ Spem in Alium.  The latter will be performed jointly with 100+ singers from all over the Netherlands who are taking part in a whole series of choral workshops, rehearsals and concerts.  You can hear the results in Simon de Vrieshof at 15.00 and 20.15 in the Grote of St. Bavokerk, a magnificent church which dominates Haarlem’s skyline.

If you can’t make it to Haarlem, you can see our Sacred Music programme on Allegri’s Miserere on BBC Four tonight.  There are two transmissions, at 19.30 and 03.35, which, with beautiful scheduling, frame live sets at Glastonbury from BB King, Morrissey, Jimmy Cliff and U2.

Last week we gave performances of Genesis Foundation-commissioned works by Ruth Byrchmore, Roderick Williams and Tarik O’Regan at St. James Church, Spanish Place in London.  You can see the composers enjoying the post-concert celebrations at the Spanish Ambassador’s residence.

Roderick Williams, Ruth Byrchmore, Harry Christophers and Tarik O'Regan