Sacred sounds from The Sixteen

Harry Christophers writes in the forward to the programme for The Sixteen’s Choral Pilgrimage that he wishes to take the sacred music of 15th and 16th century Flanders back to the buildings it was written for – cathedrals. And how glad we are that he did.

He and the Sixteen are currently touring some of the country’s most exquisite ecclesiastical buildings, bringing the ancient bricks and mortar to life with the sounds of Josquin, Brumel and Lassus.

Such sumptuous compositions would lift the soul in any place, but in intimate chapels and bold cathedrals, the effect is something else.

The Sixteen break the quiet of the sanctuary with the likes of Josquin’s Praeter rerum serium and Brumel’s Sanctus from Missa Et ecce terraemotus, with its undulating “Hosannas” and restrained praise.

As much a treat as listening to The Sixteen is watching Christophers, the most sensitive of conductors, as he draws out a praiseworthy performance from the singers.

It’s a rare moment to soak in the divine as one gazes upwards around the holy surroundings and contemplates the other-worldliness these composers sought to capture.

Wednesday night’s performance was at Norwich Cathedral. Next week, The Sixteen will be at the equally magnificent St John’s College Chapel, Cambridge, and Christ Church, Oxford.

Other dates include Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral, Blackburn Cathedral and York Minster.

For full details of dates and venues, visit: www.the-sixteen.org.uk