Sacred Songs - The Secrets of Our Hearts

Original version

BBC Four HD

BBC Four

Tenebrae

Nigel Short

Perry Bellisario

Mike Hatch

Charlotte Gazzard

Olivia Howie

Guy Freeman

Ben Weston

Maurice Whitaker

Performances & Events

Factual: Arts, Culture & the Media

Music: Classical

Music: Classical: Opera

BBC Four - Sacred Songs - The Secrets of Our Hearts

World-class vocal ensemble Tenebrae give a special performance of music for Easter.

World-class British vocal ensemble Tenebrae give a special performance, filmed in 2020 under the extraordinary conditions of the Covid-19 Pandemic.

Award-winning British choir Tenebrae, under the direction of Nigel Short, is one of the world’s leading vocal ensembles, renowned for its passion and precision. Normally before Easter, Tenebrae would be preparing for one of its busiest periods in the musical calendar. But as the world finds itself engulfed in one of the biggest health emergencies of modern history, Tenebrae, like many other artistic groups, has been forced to cancel its busy Easter season. Around the world, audiences are unable to attend and hear live music.

In this performance, filmed exclusively for BBC Music, Tenebrae once again breaks new ground in a programme of music for Easter, with all 20 of its singers filmed and recorded separately as they isolate themselves in their own homes. Under the direction of Nigel Short conducting via video link, Tenebrae sings a concert for Easter, including Gregorio Allegri's stunning Miserere, at a time when the world has never needed the medicine of music more.

Tenebrae's repertoire for this specially filmed performance includes the following:

JS Bach – Wenn ich einmal soll scheiden 
Lobo – Versa est in luctum
Allegri – Miserere
Purcell/Croft – Thou knowest, Lord, the secrets of our hearts
Parry – My soul, there is a country
JS Bach – Ach Herr, lass dein lieb Engelein

Knowledge, arts, music and culture from the UK and the world.

BBC Four reflects arts, music and culture with an ambitious range of intellectually and culturally enriching programmes, taking an expert and in-depth approach to its subjects.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Sacred Songs - The Secrets of Our Hearts

Contributors

Genres

Formats

BBC Four HD

About BBC Four