Advent Music: Gorczycki & Łukaszewski

Church Window Mask

Sat 9 Nov 7.30pm

Holst Singers

Stephen Layton – conductor

Rupert Jeffcoat – organ

  • The ‘Joy & Devotion’ Festival brings the beauty of Polish sacred music to London audiences. A centuries’ old, storied tradition is brought to life in the sublime acoustic of St James’s Piccadilly as some of the foremost British choirs perform timeless music to uplift and inspire. Having taken place each year since 2021, the fourth edition of the Festival is a special, expanded edition which, for the first time, features four choirs rather than three.

  • St James’s aspires to be a place where all can belong, and where every person’s gifts and identities are welcome and celebrated. We are working to improve the experience at St James’s in the church building and the online community. We have step-free access from the courtyard to the church, and a toilet for disabled people. The courtyard and Redemption Roasters coffee shop are wheelchair accessible. If you have special access requirements (e.g. wheelchair users) please contact concerts@sjp.org.uk

  • Holst Singers is one of the most acclaimed UK choirs working today. Renowned for its dramatic and engaging performances, the choir has made a range of recordings and tours regularly.

    The third choral concert of the 2024 ‘Joy & Devotion’ Festival focuses on the music of Grzegorz Gerwazy Gorczycki (1665-1734), Aleksander Jan Szopa (b. 1997) and Festival director, Paweł Łukaszewski (b. 1968). Gorczycki was known as the ‘Polish Handel’ because he was one of the Baroque giant’s contemporaries and produced a similarly prolific quantity of music. Aleksander Jan Szopa is one of the most eminent young organists and composers living today, and Paweł Łukaszewski is known for his extensive choral music output. This concert presents some of their most important music.

    Paweł Łukaszewski (b. 1968) – Antiphonae: O Sapientia

    Grzegorz Gerwazy Gorczycki (c. 1665 – 1734) – Missa Rorate: Kyrie

    Paweł Łukaszewski – Antiphonae: O Adonai

    Grzegorz Gerwazy Gorczycki – Missa Rorate: Gloria

    Paweł Łukaszewski – Antiphonae: O radix Jesse

    Aleksander Jan Szopa (b. 1997) – The Transfigurations of Jesus for organ

    Grzegorz Gerwazy Gorczycki – Missa Rorate: Sanctus

    Paweł Łukaszewski – Antiphonae: O clavis David

    Grzegorz Gerwazy Gorczycki – Missa Rorate: Benedictus

    Paweł Łukaszewski – Antiphonae: O Oriens

    Aleksander Jan Szopa – Fantasia “Veni creator Spiritus” for organ

    Paweł Łukaszewski – Antiphonae: O Rex gentium

    Grzegorz Gerwazy Gorczycki – Missa Rorate: Agnus Dei

    Paweł Łukaszewski – Antiphonae: O Emmanuel

    You can read about Holst Singers here: https://www.holstsingers.com/

    You can read more about the Adam Mickiewicz Institute, who support the ‘Joy & Devotion’ Festival, here: https://culture.pl/en