<img src='' title='Event Category: 300th Anniversary' alt='' id='templ_icon_' width='' height='' /> Event Category: 300th Anniversary

The Carice Singers perform Stravinsky’s Symphony of Psalms – a thrilling conclusion to an evening that embraces five centuries of sacred music at its boldest and most vital, in celebration of their 15th anniversary.

“Let everything that has faith praise the Lord!” In the anxious 1930s, the one thing no-one expected was a ringing affirmation of religious belief from a modernist firebrand like Igor Stravinsky. But the bold new sounds of the Symphony of Psalms have their roots in centuries of choral tradition – a story that’s far from over. Tonight, The Carice Singers trace that tale back to the music of the Renaissance, through Rachmaninov’s glorious sacred music and on to the present, with vibrant new works by Daniel Kidane and Dobrinka Tabakova. And of course, Stravinsky’s extraordinary symphony ends the evening in a shout of praise, performed here with pianists Joseph Havlat and George Fu.

This concert is part of our 300th anniversary celebrations.

Tenebrae celebrates 25 years of world-class singing with highlights of their journey through the past, present and future of vocal music.

“Devastatingly beautiful” was how Gramophone described the chamber choir Tenebrae, and for a quarter of a century under its founder-director Nigel Short, it’s forged a reputation for performing choral music as perfectly – and as powerfully – as it can possibly be sung. Today, Tenebrae celebrates both the journey and the path ahead with music (by Glinka, Brahms and Bruckner) from some of its best-loved recordings, as well as new commissions, world premieres, and the winning entry of the group’s inaugural composition competition for emerging talent. This choral odyssey ends with one of the monuments of 20th century vocal music – Figure humaine, Poulenc’s mighty cry of freedom, defiance and hope in the future.

This concert is part of our 300th anniversary celebrations.

The present church of St Martin-in-the-Fields – Monteverdi Choir & Orchestras’ London home – celebrates its 300th anniversary in 2026.

The English Baroque Soloists with Peter Whelan, and renowned cellist Christophe Coin, mark this milestone with a programme of music written and first performed within a stone’s throw of this wondrous building, by the “Father of the Symphony”, Franz Joseph Haydn and his contemporary Johann Christian Bach.

With the death of his patron, Prince Nikolaus Esterházy, in 1790 Haydn became a free agent, and Johann Peter Salomon seized the opportunity to bring Europe’s most famous composer to Soho. Haydn’s music already dominated the fashionable Hanover Square Rooms – especially after the death of the London-based Johann Christian Bach (youngest son of J.S.), whose Symphony in G minor opens the second half. Haydn’s Cello Concerto No. 2 was premiered at Hanover Square 1784, and a decade later he embarked on his second trip to London. From this come two of his best-known symphonies, earning nicknames through their popularity: the “Military” (No. 100), and the “London” (No. 104).

The English Baroque Soloists have this music in their blood, and the period instruments of the orchestra cast these works in an entirely fresh light. Historically-informed performance specialist Peter Whelan returns to the helm after a “thrilling” (The Times), “dazzling” (The Observer) and “unbeatable” (Scherzo) debut in 2024.

This concert is part of our 300th anniversary celebrations.

Pre-concert talk
St Martin’s Hall
6:45pm – 7:15pm

Before the concert, join conductor Peter Whelan and historian Katherine Alcock for a fascinating pre-concert talk in St Martin’s Hall from 6.45pm – 7.15pm. Step back into Georgian London as they explore Joseph Haydn’s time in the city, the rich musical life of 18th-century England, and the remarkable 300-year history of St Martin-in-the-Fields. Discover how London shaped Haydn and his music in this insightful introduction to the evening’s performance.