‘Awesome’ music for festive concert in Warwick

Armonico Consort, along with Baroque players The English Cornett and Sackbut Ensemble, will perform what they say is a “spectacular” programme of music at the start of the festive season.

The historic St Mary’s church in Warwick will play host to some of Europe’s most highly-acclaimed musicians who, working with instruments of the period, will accompany the Armonico singers as they perform The Christmas Oratorio by Heinrich Schütz and Lutheran Mass for Christmas by Michael Praetorius.

Artistic director Christopher Monks said: “The Christmas Story has inspired the greatest of composers throughout the ages to create works of sublime melody, tender reverence and great joy.

“We are performing the Christmas Story by Schutz and a variety of music by Praetorius, working with some of the greatest melodies of Christmas time.

“I was astounded when I came across these rarely performed versions of well known tunes, such as In Dulce Jubilo in 20 different parts.

“The word awesome is so appropriate on many different levels.”

Heinrich Schütz is widely regarded as being the most important German composer before JS Bach, and is also thought to have studied with Monteverdi in Venice.

Both composers have taken strong influences from Venetian music, which they have combined with German compositions to create, Christopher says, “works of much colour, drama and melody”.

The concert starts at 7.30pm.

Tickets cost £29.50 each, with concessions available. Call 0844 581 0750 or go online.