Musical guest for Music & the Spoken Word on Sunday, November 13, 2016, will be Tenebrae, the acclaimed London-based chamber choir.  Described as “phenomenal” (The Times) and “devastatingly beautiful” (Gramophone Magazine), the award-winning ensemble has established itself as one of the most sought after chamber choirs in England and around the world. The group has the precision of a small chamber ensemble combined with the passion of a large cathedral choir to create a unique and enchanting sound, as effective in medieval music as it is in contemporary works. 

The group was founded in 2001 by Nigel Short, former member of The King’s Singers, England’s renowned six-man acapella vocal ensemble.  When he retired from the group, Short formed Tenebrae in 2001 as a choir that would embrace his dedication for musical passion and precision.  Under Short’s direction Tenebrae has collaborated with internationally acclaimed orchestras and instrumentalists and now enjoys a reputation as one of the world’s finest vocal ensembles.

On the broadcast, Tenebrae will be performing “Gladsome Light” by Russian composer Viktor Kalinnikov and “Marriage to My Lady Poverty” by Bob Chilcott. The broadcast will conclude with the Choir, Orchestra at Temple Square, and Tenebrae combining to perform the joyous anthem, “O Clap Your Hands,” by Ralph Vaughn Williams.

Bob Chilcott, composer of “Marriage to My Lady Poverty,” was also a member of The King’s Singers from 1985-1997—his last three years with Tenebrae conductor Nigel Short. Chilcott has become well-known for his music compositions and choral conducting. In 2014 he was a guest on Music & the Spoken Word, conducting his composition “Be Thou My Vision.”

Tenebrae has toured all over the world performing in many renowned festivals and tailoring its distinctive style to many venues. As part of Tenebrae’s 2016-17 season and its USA tour, it is performing Messiah with three choirs from Brigham Young University (Concert Choir, University Singers, and Baroque Ensemble) this weekend, and joining the Mormon Tabernacle Choir on Sunday, November 13, for Music & the Spoken Word.