Page 236 - FINAL_The Sixteen Coverage Book 40th Anniversary Year

solos, so evocative and ethereal, to savage, violent tutti string writing, to whispers in
the choir followed by ravishing harmonies, austere plainsong motifs to stratospheric
solos. But everything is weaved together into the ultimate experience.

OW: You’ll be performing the “Stabat Mater” with the

Britten Sinfonia. Tell me about your collaboration with
this organization?

HC: Our collaboration with the Britten Sinfonia on this project has been a marriage
made in heaven – both groups have had long associations with James’ music and
both give their all in bringing this score to life. They, like The Sixteen, are musicians
who really listen to each other, support each other and, above all, communicate with
their audience. For us experiences like this come, if we are lucky, perhaps once in a
lifetime.

OW: Why did you decide these were the perfect pieces to

perform at the White Light Festival?

HC: Quite frankly I wanted the audience to witness these extraordinary works
performed by artists who are at one with James’ astonishing music. We have had the
privilege of performing these works in major cities in England and Scotland as well
as the incredible setting of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican. Collectively, we feel
very honored and humbled by James’ work and are very proud of our association
with him over the last 20 years.

Wherever we go, be it in the UK, USA, Australia or Europe, and whenever one of his
compositions is in the program, surrounded by other great composers, it is always
James’ works that have had the greatest effect on the audience. That says it all.

OW: What do you hope audiences get from the
performance?

HC: This will be the US premiere of the “Stabat Mater.” We are so excited to bring
what we know to be a masterpiece – the premiere at London’s Barbican Hall in
October 2016 and subsequent performances in the UK and Rome all received
standing ovations.

James digs deep underneath the surface of this 13th -century Marian hymn
meditating on Mary’s suffering as she stands at the foot of the cross. Mary’s grief is
so recognizable today to thousands of parents across the world especially in
country’s ravaged by war and the consequent sadness and pain of refugees. This
masterpiece makes us all think again.

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