For our final concert of 2025 we return to St John’s Church, Newbury for this early evening concert where the Chamber Choir will be joined by members of the Senior Choir of St Barts.
Remarkably, the famous Vivaldi Gloria was relatively unknown until its revival during "Vivaldi Week" in Siena, 1939. Today it is recognized as a masterpiece of Baroque brilliance capturing the spirit of joy and praise.
Soprano soloist Milly Forrest will sing Handel’s Gloria which may have been composed in Germany before he departed for Italy in 1706 but was lost for many years and only rediscovered in 2001.
For the second half we move into Advent with a set of contemporary carols, including compositions being presented widely for the very first time as well as those by established composers.
The Gloria proclaims joy, brilliance and splendour, while the carols invite us into reflection, wonder, and stillness. Both worlds - ancient and modern, exuberant and contemplative - remind us of the richness of the season’s music.