The Sixteen at the York Early Music Festival

Available for 29 days

The Sixteen and their conductor Harry Christophers stop at York Minster as part of their annual Choral Pilgrimage, to perform as part of the 2026 York Early Music Festival. Spain’s Siglo de oro, the "Age of Gold", gave rise to some of the greatest sacred choral music of the Renaissance. The Sixteen explore majestic works by Cristóbal de Morales, famed throughout Europe and in the New World, and the exquisite polyphony of Sebastián de Vivánco, whose intricately crafted counterpoint adorned services at the cathedrals of Ávila and Salamanca. The programme also features spellbinding settings of words by St John Henry Newman: Sir James MacMillan’s "Nothing in vain", and the world premiere broadcast of NCEM Young Composers Award alumna Kerensa Briggs’s "Lead, kindly light". Recorded at York Minster on 4 July 2026. Presented by Hannah French. Sebastián de Vivanco - Christus factus est pro nobis Cristobal de Morales - Emendemus in melius Sebastián de Vivanco - Assumpta est Maria Cristobal de Morales - Gaude et laetare ferrariensis civitas Kerensa Briggs - Lead, kindly light Sebastián de Vivanco - Magnificat octavi toni INTERVAL Cristobal de Morales - Jubilate Deo omnis terra Sebastián de Vivanco - O quam suavis est, Domine Cristobal de Morales - Exaltata est sancta Dei genitrix Cristobal de Morales - Lamentabatur Jacob Sebastián de Vivanco - Caritas Pater est Sir James MacMillan - Nothing in vain The Sixteen Harry Christophers (conductor) To listen on most smart speakers, just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Radio 3 in Concert."