| published by Ben Hogwood, text from the press release Thursday 10 October, 19:00 Tenebrae: Meditatio – Music for Mindfulness Sandström / Praetorius Es ist ein Ros entsprungen Donna McKevitt Lumen Rachmaninov We Hymn Thee Gibbons / Forshaw Drop, drop slow tears Chilcott The Last Invocation Kedrov Otche nash Rachmaninov Rejoice, O Virgin Lobo Versa est in luctum Allegri Miserere Stanford The Blue Bird Golovanov Cherubic Hymn Chilcott Even Such Is Time Howells Requiem aeternum II In a new initiative that combines well-being and musical excellence, St Martin-in-the-Fields presents an evening of Music for Mindfulness with award-winning vocal group Tenebrae and mindfulness coach Michael McCaffrey. Tenebrae’s Artistic Director Nigel Short has devised a sequence of beautiful and calming vocal masterpieces by Lobo, Allegri and Rachmaninov and others, while Michael McCaffrey will guide the audience towards deeper listening through a focus on the breath. No previous experience of meditation or mindfulness practice is required, and in the inspiring candlelit surroundings of St Martin-in-the-Fields, the unbroken sequence of music and mindfulness invites the audience to take an hour at the end of the day to relax and centre themselves. Nigel Short explains, “I’ve wanted to experiment with this format ever since I conducted a similar concert in Denmark several years ago. We all know that people are living increasingly busy lives, and the constant stream of information we receive through our phones is making it harder and harder to switch off. Music has always been something that people have turned to for comfort and solace, and arguably we need this now more than ever. We hope that this combination of beautiful music and guided breathwork will allow everyone a small bit of time and space to take some time out and slow down.” Reversing the emotional arch of a standard concert programme, Short and McCaffrey have worked together to shape the evening to guide the audience towards deeper tranquillity at the midpoint of the concert, before gently bringing them back to the present moment. The concert will include choral masterpieces such as Allegri’s Miserere, and extracts from Rachmaninov’s Vespers and Howells’ Requiem. Analysing their social media, Tenebrae noticed that many listeners discovered their recordings through YouTube searches for music to aid relaxation and sleep, and wanted to create a live concert experience that would help people to switch off and slow down. Michael McCaffrey says, “As both a musician and experienced mindfulness teacher, the power of music as a tool to tap into deeper states of being is apparent. Music speaks to those same states that meditation often guides us into. A sense of calm, a present moment consciousness, the alive, immediate ‘now’ of each moment. It is no coincidence that ancient practices that encourage these states often use sound as a direct means by which to enter the stream of calm that mindfulness delivers.” Michael McCaffrey is a dedicated meditation, mindfulness and breathwork guide, passionately committed to making the transformative benefits of these practices accessible to all. With a rich background in these various techniques, his teachings focus on demystifying mindfulness, offering clarity and guidance to beginners while providing depth and insight for seasoned practitioners. It is his belief that anyone can take something positive from these practices and achieve an overall sense of wellbeing. Michael creates an inclusive space where individuals can embark on a journey of self-discovery and inner peace. Over the last decade he has built up a dedicated following for his sessions, working with individuals and also with companies such as Chelsea FC, NBC Universal, Amazon and Google. Described as “phenomenal” (The Times) and “devastatingly beautiful” (Gramophone Magazine), award-winning choir Tenebrae is one of the world’s leading vocal ensembles, renowned for its passion and precision. Under the direction of Nigel Short, Tenebrae performs at major festivals and venues across the globe, including the BBC Proms, Wigmore Hall, Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, Rheingau Musik Festival and Sydney Festival. The choir has earned international acclaim for its interpretations of choral music from the Renaissance through to contemporary masterpieces, and has commissioned new music from composers including Judith Bingham, Joanna Marsh, Owain Park, Josephine Stephenson, Joby Talbot and Roderick Williams. Tenebrae has enjoyed collaborations with some of the UK’s leading orchestras, including the London Symphony Orchestra, Aurora Orchestra, the Academy of Ancient Music and Britten Sinfonia. The choir also undertakes regular session work, having contributed the vocals for Max Richter’s Voices (2020), Jean-Jacques Annaud’s Notre Dame brûle (2022), and blockbuster sci-fi movie Avatar: The Way of Water (2022) among others. Its extensive recording catalogue comprises a wide range of music on labels including Signum, LSO Live and Warner Classics, and has earned the choir two BBC Music Magazine Awards, an Edison Classical Award and a Grammy nomination. Alongside its performance schedule, the choir runs a thriving Learning & Connection programme encompassing activities with London Youth Choirs, Tenebrae Effect workshops with amateur choirs, and Tenebrae Schools. In partnership with Ealing Music Service, this programme aims to embed a long-lasting culture of singing activities in local primary schools which might otherwise face barriers to music-making Through its Associate Artists programme, Tenebrae also provides talented young professional singers with vital experience and support in the early stages of their careers. ‘Passion and Precision’ are Tenebrae’s core values. Through its continued dedication to performance of the highest quality, Tenebrae’s vision is to inspire audiences around the world through dramatic programming, flawless performances and unforgettable experiences. St Martin-in-the-Fields is a landmark church, concert venue and visitor attraction on London’s Trafalgar Square. It is a friendly and forward-thinking community and the building itself is steeped in beautiful Georgian architecture. With a huge programme of services, concerts, events, exhibitions and lectures, St Martin’s welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over the world each year. A strong musical tradition flourishes at St Martin’s. Their concert series includes over 350 performances and gigs every year, featuring some of the UK’s finest ensembles, chamber orchestras, choirs and musicians. An outstanding music programme is provided by the Choir and Choral Scholars of St Martin-in-the-Fields, some of London’s finest voices who are regular performers on the BBC and in concert. In the Crypt you can find St Martin’s award-winning Café, Shop, Brass Rubbing Centre and a number of excellent spaces available for hire for meetings, celebrations and corporate events. For further information, please head to the websites for St Martin-in-the-Fields or Tenebrae, where you can purchase tickets Published post no.2,295 – Monday 9 September 2024 |
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