VentiQuattro
Classical A Cappella Singing
Beauty Performed
A Spanish delight for 2026
From the Renaissance epic that is Victoria's Mass to Talbot's haunting encapsulation of the Camino de Santiago we've put together an evening of musical tapas, paella, and a great Rioja (or three).
Challenging but sonorous pieces, these are rarely performed, and the Santiago is a 1st for the Midlands - a not to be missed modern classic.
An evening of reverie and revelation
Some get rather 'sniffy' about film music and film music composers. I'm as much a fan of Elmer as Leonard and you're missing a treat if you pass on a modern classic like Joby Talbot's Path of Miracles.
We think it's fitting, though, to start with a walk down memory lane to what many consider simply the best piece of Renaissance classical a cappella - Victoria's tribute to the sister of England's only king by the name of Phillip.
a walk on the wild side
Our first rendition of this challenging and delightful repertoire was enormously well received in Towcester. Taking you on a ramble from Renaissance Spain's finest to Green Spain's contemporary masterpiece, Joby Talbot's Santiago is no mean feat. A glorious setting like St Lawrence's lends itself to the depth of intensity in the Mass, and the contrasted settings of Victoria and Lobo's Versa Ests finished the first half in style.
To then embark on the pilgrimage across bumpy, often challenging, heartfelt and profound scenes painted by Talbot's Santiago was quite a contrast. From glorious architecture such as that of Burgos and Leon, there's also the challenges of Guernica and Pamplona, and this music explores all angles. Some respite was provided by a beautiful improvisational rendition by Jon French of the piano setting for Geilo's Ubi Caritas, before diving back into Spanish verve.
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Finishing with some nods to folk settings in Chilcott's Even Such is Time, a setting of Walter Raleigh's final poem, and a nod to Spain's ladies led to a rousing flamenco finale.
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The reprise in Woodstock is eagerly anticipated.
A few of the highlights
Victoria
Lobo's rendition of this soulful text is perhaps now better known, but the Victoria version is just as deep and reverential. We'll compare the two, but enjoy this superb setting too.
Talbot
The final part of Talbot's Path of Miracles it's a delight and a journey in itself (albeit not a 500m schlep)
Jerez
We're getting used to clapping, so we thought we'd take it to another level, care of some unique Spanish enthusiasm...
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A sleepy theme for an early evening
Mixing contemporary a cappella classics from the likes of Tavener, Chilcott, and Whitacre, there's also some fun to be had with Kate Rusby, Moira Smiley, and even Billy Joel.
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Promising an hour of varied and engaging performances, modern classics from Arnesen and Esenvalds will see the beautiful acoustic of St Peter's spring to life.
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All proceeds go to support the pastoral work of St Peter's.
We Love This Too...
Some pieces we love from recent or coming performances that can brighten the day or lift your heart
Big Mac's Mis
Didn't think Allegri could be topped? Well try this. We did, and proved it...
von Bingen
Ave Generosa
a treat from our superb top line delivered with aplomb in '25 and inspired by Grace
Palestrina, the place, the man, the music: 'Ioannes Petrus Aloysius Praenestinus Musicae Princeps'
Frank Martin's Mass for Double Choir
The highlight of our second concert, Martin's Mass for double choir keeps growing on you.
Rachmaninoff
Impossible to pick one movement from The Vigil/Vespers, but it was a magical concert we will repeat
The Road Home
Our most popular encore and a big tug on anyone's heart strings
'Blazingly intense' and 'cinematically vivid' this is as challenging as the Camino itself, and a modern masterpiece
Willcocks' rambunctious run through this classic makes you feel the swell rise as hooray - up she rises
Tavener's ethereal elegy to Athene Hariades