Hailed as “spellbinding and supremely musical” by BBC Music Magazine, the Holst Singers are set to make a triumphant return to the Barnes Music Festival under the distinguished direction of Stephen Layton. Their performance will showcase the works of Barnes composers as well as students mentored by the legendary Gustav Holst.

Awarded with an MBE for services to classical music in October 2020, Stephen Layton is one of the most sought-after conductors of his generation. Often described as the finest exponent of choral music in the world today, his ground-breaking approach has had a profound influence on choral music over the last 30 years.

Founder and Director of Polyphony, and Director of Holst Singers, Layton has recently stepped down as Fellow and Director of Music at Trinity College Cambridge in the summer of 2023. His former posts include Chief Conductor of Netherlands Chamber Choir, Chief Guest Conductor of Danish National Vocal Ensemble, Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of City of London Sinfonia, and Director of Music at the Temple Church, London.

PERFORMERS
Holst Singers
Stephen Layton, Conductor

PROGRAMME
Howells “A Hymn for St Cecilia”
Imogen Holst “A Hymne to Christ”
Dodgson “Evening Hymn”
Rubbra “A Hymn to God the Father”
Rubbra “Eternitie”
Gustav Holst “The Evening-Watch”
Roxanna Panufnik “O Hearken”
Roxanna Panufnik “Celestial Bird”
Roxanna Panufnik “Deus est caritas”
Howells “Behold O God our Defender”
John Rutter “Hymn to the Creator of Light”
Gustav Holst “Nunc Dimittis”
Gustav Holst “Lord who has made us for Thine own”