All Saints' Church, Northampton
Encyclopedia
All Saints' Church, Northampton situated in the centre of Northampton
, is a Parish Church of the Church of England
and Northampton's Civic Church.
Simon de Senlis' church of All Hallows, Northampton, England, lasted with medieval alterations until disaster struck the town
on 20 September 1675. Most of the old town was destroyed by fire, not unlike the Great Fire of London
in 1666 (see Great Fire of Northampton
). The fire began in St. Mary's Street, near the castle, and the inhabitants fled to the Market Square, but then were forced to evacuate, leaving the buildings to burn, including All Hallows:
All Hallows Bells jangled their last and doleful Knell, presently after the Chimes had gone Twelve in a more pleasant Tune: And soon after the wind which did flie swifter than Horsemen, carried the Fire near the Dern-Gate, at least half a Mile from the place where it began, and into St. Giles-street in the East, and consumed every house therein, save one, whose end-Walls were higher than the Roof, and by them preserved.
After the fire, Charles II
gave a thousand tons of timber for the rebuilding of All Hallows Church, and one tenth of the money collected for the rebuilding of the town
was allocated to the rebuilding of All Hallows under the management of the King's Lynn
architect, Henry Bell.
Henry Bell at the time was resident in Northampton
, and he set to rebuild the church in a manner similar to Sir Christopher Wren's designs.
After the fire, the central medieval tower had survived, as well as the crypt
. The new church of All Saints was to be built east of the tower in an almost square plan, with a chancel
to the east, and a north and south narthex
flanking the tower.
You enter the church through the existing tower into a barrel vault
ed nave
. At the centre there is a dome
, supported on four Ionic columns, which is lit by a lantern above. The barrel vault
extends into the aisles from the dome
in a Greek-cross form, leaving four flat ceilings in the corners of the church. The church is well lit by plain glass windows in the aisles and originally there was a large east window in the chancel
, that is now covered by a reredos
. The plasterwork ceiling is finely decorated, and the barrel vault
s are lit by elliptical windows.
The comparison between this building and Sir Christopher Wren's building of the London
churches after the Great Fire of London
cannot be ignored.
After the Great Fire of London
, the rebuilding of the city churches was initiated by financing of the second Building Act of 1670. Sir Christopher Wren, as Surveyor General of the King's Works, undertook this operation, and one of his first churches was St Mary-at-Hill
.
The interior space of St Mary-at-Hill
is roughly square in plan, and of a similar size to All Saints. To the west is the tower, again flanked by a north and south narthex
. Wren spanned the square space by a barrel vault
in a Greek-cross plan, with a dome
at the centre, supported on four columns. If Henry Bell drew his inspiration from any one of Wren's churches, then this would be the one. The barrel vault
ing though in All Saints is much flatter than in St. Mary-at-Hill, which has semi-circular vaulting
. The dome
in All Saints is more hemi-spherical, and the columns at St. Mary-at-Hill are Corinthian
with fluting. The Mayoral Seat dominates the pews on the south side, and in the north aisle there is a Consistory Court
. Two icon
s - of Saint Peter
and Saint Katharine - are situated at the east end before the steps in to the Quire, and these were written for the Church in 2001 to reflect the parish boundaries which include the site of St Katharine's Church (demolished) and St Peter's Church
. St Peter's Church, which was given to the Churches Conservation Trust in 1998, can lay claim to being the most outstanding Norman church in the county; it is open from 10.00am to 4.00pm on Thursdays and Fridays.
The rebuilt church of All Saints, Northampton, was consecrated and opened in 1680. Then in 1701 a large portico
was added to the west end, in front of the narthex
. As a memorial of Charles II
's contribution to its rebuilding, a statue of him was erected above the portico
, dressed in a Roman
tunic. At noon on Oak Apple Day
each year the choir sings a Latin Hymn to Charles from the roof as the statue is wreathed in oak leaves; a similar ceremony takes place on Ascension Day at 7.00am.
In 2008 the Narthex, Vestries and Lavatories were refurbished, and a privately-leased Coffee Shop operates from its North and South areas, and on the space under the Portico. The North end of the Coffee Shop is named the John Clare
Lounge, after the poet who sat outside this space, composing his poems. Two years earlier, in 2006, a new Chancel Organ
was installed to accompany the choirs (a West Gallery Organ is used for recitals (which are given on the first Thursday of the month (except August) and every Thursday in June and July at 1.10pm), and a small Organ in the Memorial Chapel for congregational services) alongside a new ring of ten bells, replacing a heavy set of eight dating from 1782.
All Saints is open from 9:00am to 5:00pm throughout the year, with extended opening on days with choral services.
of All Saints' Church, Northampton was formed in the Middle Ages and consists of Boys and Men and more recently, girls. The boys choir, the last of its kind singing in Northamptonshire
range from 8 to 14 years old and the girls from 12 to 18. The men consist of Choral Scholars with an age range of 15 to 18, most of them having previously sung in the treble line, and Lay Clerks. The choirs sing five or more choral services a week, with Choral Evensong
being sung at 6.00pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, as well as Sunday alongside the 10.30am Choral Eucharist
. In addition a voluntary choir
, the All Saints' Singers, sing at the daily 12.30pm Eucharist on Feast Days; the music department thus currently boasts over 100 musicians regularly leading the services.
In recent years the choir
has toured the United States of America (three times), France
(twice), Canada
, Germany
, Italy
, Switzerland
and Poland
, where the senior choristers sang Britten's War Requiem in a televised performance marking the seventieth anniversary of the invasion in 1939. In May 2010 they visited Paris, singing at the Église Saint-Sulpice and receiving a standing ovation from an audience of over one thousand at Notre Dame de Paris. In August 2010 they sang in residence at Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin
. They have sung in many English Cathedrals, most recently Chester Cathedral
, Ely Cathedral
, Lichfield Cathedral
, Gloucester Cathedral
and Westminster Abbey
. In 2010 they sang for the first time at St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle
and King's College Chapel, Cambridge
. In September 2011 they will sing at St Paul's Cathedral
and in 2012 the Boys' Choir will tour Belgium
, Denmark
and Germany
, and the choirs will sing at Gloucester Cathedral
, St Edmundsbury Cathedral, St Alban's Abbey and York Minster
.
In the past five years they have performed in concert with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
, the Henryk Wieniawski
Orchestra of Lublin, members of Queens' Park Sinfonia, Fiori Musicali, and the Stephen Petronio
Company in a performance of Rufus Wainwright
's Bloom. They gave their first full performance of Handel
's Messiah in 2008, and in recent years have given concert performances of Monteverdi's Vespers, J. S. Bach's Cantata Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, BWV 140, Haydn's Nelson Mass, Vaughan Williams' "Five mystical songs", Britten's "War Requiem", "Friday Afternoons" and "Ceremony of Carols", and Requiems by Bednall
, Duruflé, Fauré
and Rutter
. In March 2010 they performed J. S. Bach's St Matthew Passion alongside the Northampton Bach Choir and the period orchestra Charivari Agréable, and the Choral Scholars and Lay Clerks's joined the Northampton Bach Choir to perform Rachmaninoff's Vespers in November 2010. In January 2011 they sang again alongside the Northampton Bach Choir and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
in a performance of Requiem (Fauré)
and Handel
's Zadok the Priest
and in March 2011 they gave a concert performance of Franz Schubert
's choral works with the Tyburn String Quartet.
They have a considerable catalogue of recordings, and in 2011 recorded two new discs; a second CD of French music for upper voices with the Girls' Choir, and the combined choirs recorded their fourth Christmas CD. All three choirs recorded a disc of their commissions - OMNES SANCTI - in the fine acoustics of St Mary's Church in Wellingborough in July 2010. Further plans include a CD of the music of Adrian Self, a disc of English music for upper voices and piano, and a recording of Solemn Choral Evensong and Benediction for Whitsun, a disc which will exclusively feature North American compositions. There are two CDs available of the Gallery Organ
, one of three organs in the building; they also have grand piano given to the Church by Sir Clifford Curzon
.
They are directed by Lee Dunleavy, former Organ Scholar of York Minster
and Hertford College, Oxford
, who is assisted by W. Ron Gates and Roger Palmer, Assistant Organists, Nathan Lam, Senior Organ Scholar and Joseph Groves, Junior Organ Scholar. The Church has produced many successful musicians, including Lay Clerks and Organists who hold or recently held positions at Blackburn Cathedral
, Guildford Cathedral
, Nativity Cathedral, Bethlehem PA, Magdalen College, Oxford
, New College, Oxford
, Robinson College, Cambridge
, Peterborough Cathedral
, St Albans Cathedral
, St Paul's Cathedral
, St George's Chapel, Windsor, The Royal Academy of Music
, The Royal College of Music, Wells Cathedral
and York Minster
.
("The Holly and the Ivy" and "The Shepherd's Carol"). In May 2011 they gave the first performance of a double-organ and double-choir Mass - "Messe pour Saint-Sulpice" - from David Briggs. Their first 2012 commission has recently been announced as a setting of the Evening Canticles from Michael Finnissy
. Principal commissions are listed in bold.
2012 : Magnificat and Nunc dimittis (Third Service), S+org, Michael Finnissy
2011 : Messe pour Saint-Sulpice, S+SATB+2org, David Briggs
2010 : Two Carols (The Holly and the Ivy; The Shepherd's Carol), SATB (with divisions), Sir Richard Rodney Bennett
2009 : Ave Maria, SATB+org, James MacMillan
2008 : The Passion according to Saint Matthew, S+SATB+2org, David Bednall
2007 : Two anthems (Ecce sacerdos magnus, SSAATTBB; O living bread, SATB+org) Ian Colson
2006 : O praise God in his holiness, SATB+org, David Bednall
2005 : Missa 'Omnes Sancti', SATB+2org, Malcolm Archer
2004 : For Remembrance, SATTB, Robert Walker
2003 : Two anthems (Drop, drop, slow tears; The Bethlehem Star), SATB+org, Robert Walker
2002 : O where can I go from your spirit?, SATB+org, Malcolm Archer
Northampton
Northampton is a large market town and local government district in the East Midlands region of England. Situated about north-west of London and around south-east of Birmingham, Northampton lies on the River Nene and is the county town of Northamptonshire. The demonym of Northampton is...
, is a Parish Church of the Church of England
Church of England
The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
and Northampton's Civic Church.
Simon de Senlis' church of All Hallows, Northampton, England, lasted with medieval alterations until disaster struck the town
Northampton
Northampton is a large market town and local government district in the East Midlands region of England. Situated about north-west of London and around south-east of Birmingham, Northampton lies on the River Nene and is the county town of Northamptonshire. The demonym of Northampton is...
on 20 September 1675. Most of the old town was destroyed by fire, not unlike the Great Fire of London
Great Fire of London
The Great Fire of London was a major conflagration that swept through the central parts of the English city of London, from Sunday, 2 September to Wednesday, 5 September 1666. The fire gutted the medieval City of London inside the old Roman City Wall...
in 1666 (see Great Fire of Northampton
Great Fire of Northampton
The Great Fire of Northampton occurred in 1675 in the town of Northampton in Northamptonshire, England. The blaze was caused by sparks from an open fire in St. Mary’s Street near Northampton castle, and devastated the town centre, destroying about 600 buildings including All Saints church, in 6 hours...
). The fire began in St. Mary's Street, near the castle, and the inhabitants fled to the Market Square, but then were forced to evacuate, leaving the buildings to burn, including All Hallows:
All Hallows Bells jangled their last and doleful Knell, presently after the Chimes had gone Twelve in a more pleasant Tune: And soon after the wind which did flie swifter than Horsemen, carried the Fire near the Dern-Gate, at least half a Mile from the place where it began, and into St. Giles-street in the East, and consumed every house therein, save one, whose end-Walls were higher than the Roof, and by them preserved.
The new church
Charles II of England
Charles II was monarch of the three kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland.Charles II's father, King Charles I, was executed at Whitehall on 30 January 1649, at the climax of the English Civil War...
gave a thousand tons of timber for the rebuilding of All Hallows Church, and one tenth of the money collected for the rebuilding of the town
Northampton
Northampton is a large market town and local government district in the East Midlands region of England. Situated about north-west of London and around south-east of Birmingham, Northampton lies on the River Nene and is the county town of Northamptonshire. The demonym of Northampton is...
was allocated to the rebuilding of All Hallows under the management of the King's Lynn
King's Lynn
King's Lynn is a sea port and market town in the ceremonial county of Norfolk in the East of England. It is situated north of London and west of Norwich. The population of the town is 42,800....
architect, Henry Bell.
Henry Bell at the time was resident in Northampton
Northampton
Northampton is a large market town and local government district in the East Midlands region of England. Situated about north-west of London and around south-east of Birmingham, Northampton lies on the River Nene and is the county town of Northamptonshire. The demonym of Northampton is...
, and he set to rebuild the church in a manner similar to Sir Christopher Wren's designs.
After the fire, the central medieval tower had survived, as well as the crypt
Crypt
In architecture, a crypt is a stone chamber or vault beneath the floor of a burial vault possibly containing sarcophagi, coffins or relics....
. The new church of All Saints was to be built east of the tower in an almost square plan, with a chancel
Chancel
In church architecture, the chancel is the space around the altar in the sanctuary at the liturgical east end of a traditional Christian church building...
to the east, and a north and south narthex
Narthex
The narthex of a church is the entrance or lobby area, located at the end of the nave, at the far end from the church's main altar. Traditionally the narthex was a part of the church building, but was not considered part of the church proper...
flanking the tower.
You enter the church through the existing tower into a barrel vault
Barrel vault
A barrel vault, also known as a tunnel vault or a wagon vault, is an architectural element formed by the extrusion of a single curve along a given distance. The curves are typically circular in shape, lending a semi-cylindrical appearance to the total design...
ed nave
Nave
In Romanesque and Gothic Christian abbey, cathedral basilica and church architecture, the nave is the central approach to the high altar, the main body of the church. "Nave" was probably suggested by the keel shape of its vaulting...
. At the centre there is a dome
Dome
A dome is a structural element of architecture that resembles the hollow upper half of a sphere. Dome structures made of various materials have a long architectural lineage extending into prehistory....
, supported on four Ionic columns, which is lit by a lantern above. The barrel vault
Barrel vault
A barrel vault, also known as a tunnel vault or a wagon vault, is an architectural element formed by the extrusion of a single curve along a given distance. The curves are typically circular in shape, lending a semi-cylindrical appearance to the total design...
extends into the aisles from the dome
Dome
A dome is a structural element of architecture that resembles the hollow upper half of a sphere. Dome structures made of various materials have a long architectural lineage extending into prehistory....
in a Greek-cross form, leaving four flat ceilings in the corners of the church. The church is well lit by plain glass windows in the aisles and originally there was a large east window in the chancel
Chancel
In church architecture, the chancel is the space around the altar in the sanctuary at the liturgical east end of a traditional Christian church building...
, that is now covered by a reredos
Reredos
thumb|300px|right|An altar and reredos from [[St. Josaphat's Roman Catholic Church|St. Josaphat Catholic Church]] in [[Detroit]], [[Michigan]]. This would be called a [[retable]] in many other languages and countries....
. The plasterwork ceiling is finely decorated, and the barrel vault
Barrel vault
A barrel vault, also known as a tunnel vault or a wagon vault, is an architectural element formed by the extrusion of a single curve along a given distance. The curves are typically circular in shape, lending a semi-cylindrical appearance to the total design...
s are lit by elliptical windows.
Architecture
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
churches after the Great Fire of London
Great Fire of London
The Great Fire of London was a major conflagration that swept through the central parts of the English city of London, from Sunday, 2 September to Wednesday, 5 September 1666. The fire gutted the medieval City of London inside the old Roman City Wall...
cannot be ignored.
After the Great Fire of London
Great Fire of London
The Great Fire of London was a major conflagration that swept through the central parts of the English city of London, from Sunday, 2 September to Wednesday, 5 September 1666. The fire gutted the medieval City of London inside the old Roman City Wall...
, the rebuilding of the city churches was initiated by financing of the second Building Act of 1670. Sir Christopher Wren, as Surveyor General of the King's Works, undertook this operation, and one of his first churches was St Mary-at-Hill
St Mary-at-Hill
St. Mary-at-Hill is a Church of England church on Lovat Lane, a cobbled street off Eastcheap in the ward of Billingsgate, London, England. Rebuilt many times, St Mary-at-Hill was originally founded in the 12th Century, where it was first known as "St. Mary de Hull" or " St...
.
The interior space of St Mary-at-Hill
St Mary-at-Hill
St. Mary-at-Hill is a Church of England church on Lovat Lane, a cobbled street off Eastcheap in the ward of Billingsgate, London, England. Rebuilt many times, St Mary-at-Hill was originally founded in the 12th Century, where it was first known as "St. Mary de Hull" or " St...
is roughly square in plan, and of a similar size to All Saints. To the west is the tower, again flanked by a north and south narthex
Narthex
The narthex of a church is the entrance or lobby area, located at the end of the nave, at the far end from the church's main altar. Traditionally the narthex was a part of the church building, but was not considered part of the church proper...
. Wren spanned the square space by a barrel vault
Barrel vault
A barrel vault, also known as a tunnel vault or a wagon vault, is an architectural element formed by the extrusion of a single curve along a given distance. The curves are typically circular in shape, lending a semi-cylindrical appearance to the total design...
in a Greek-cross plan, with a dome
Dome
A dome is a structural element of architecture that resembles the hollow upper half of a sphere. Dome structures made of various materials have a long architectural lineage extending into prehistory....
at the centre, supported on four columns. If Henry Bell drew his inspiration from any one of Wren's churches, then this would be the one. The barrel vault
Barrel vault
A barrel vault, also known as a tunnel vault or a wagon vault, is an architectural element formed by the extrusion of a single curve along a given distance. The curves are typically circular in shape, lending a semi-cylindrical appearance to the total design...
ing though in All Saints is much flatter than in St. Mary-at-Hill, which has semi-circular vaulting
Vault (architecture)
A Vault is an architectural term for an arched form used to provide a space with a ceiling or roof. The parts of a vault exert lateral thrust that require a counter resistance. When vaults are built underground, the ground gives all the resistance required...
. The dome
Dome
A dome is a structural element of architecture that resembles the hollow upper half of a sphere. Dome structures made of various materials have a long architectural lineage extending into prehistory....
in All Saints is more hemi-spherical, and the columns at St. Mary-at-Hill are Corinthian
Corinthian order
The Corinthian order is one of the three principal classical orders of ancient Greek and Roman architecture. The other two are the Doric and Ionic. When classical architecture was revived during the Renaissance, two more orders were added to the canon, the Tuscan order and the Composite order...
with fluting. The Mayoral Seat dominates the pews on the south side, and in the north aisle there is a Consistory Court
Consistory court
The consistory court is a type of ecclesiastical court, especially within the Church of England. They were established by a charter of King William I of England, and still exist today, although since about the middle of the 19th century consistory courts have lost much of their subject-matter...
. Two icon
Icon
An icon is a religious work of art, most commonly a painting, from Eastern Christianity and in certain Eastern Catholic churches...
s - of Saint Peter
Saint Peter
Saint Peter or Simon Peter was an early Christian leader, who is featured prominently in the New Testament Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles. The son of John or of Jonah and from the village of Bethsaida in the province of Galilee, his brother Andrew was also an apostle...
and Saint Katharine - are situated at the east end before the steps in to the Quire, and these were written for the Church in 2001 to reflect the parish boundaries which include the site of St Katharine's Church (demolished) and St Peter's Church
St Peter's Church, Northampton
St Peter's Church, Northampton, is a redundant Anglican church in Marefair, Northampton, England. It has been designated by English Heritage as a Grade I listed building, and is under the care of the Churches Conservation Trust...
. St Peter's Church, which was given to the Churches Conservation Trust in 1998, can lay claim to being the most outstanding Norman church in the county; it is open from 10.00am to 4.00pm on Thursdays and Fridays.
The rebuilt church of All Saints, Northampton, was consecrated and opened in 1680. Then in 1701 a large portico
Portico
A portico is a porch leading to the entrance of a building, or extended as a colonnade, with a roof structure over a walkway, supported by columns or enclosed by walls...
was added to the west end, in front of the narthex
Narthex
The narthex of a church is the entrance or lobby area, located at the end of the nave, at the far end from the church's main altar. Traditionally the narthex was a part of the church building, but was not considered part of the church proper...
. As a memorial of Charles II
Charles II of England
Charles II was monarch of the three kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland.Charles II's father, King Charles I, was executed at Whitehall on 30 January 1649, at the climax of the English Civil War...
's contribution to its rebuilding, a statue of him was erected above the portico
Portico
A portico is a porch leading to the entrance of a building, or extended as a colonnade, with a roof structure over a walkway, supported by columns or enclosed by walls...
, dressed in a Roman
Ancient Rome
Ancient Rome was a thriving civilization that grew on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 8th century BC. Located along the Mediterranean Sea and centered on the city of Rome, it expanded to one of the largest empires in the ancient world....
tunic. At noon on Oak Apple Day
Oak Apple Day
Oak Apple Day or Royal Oak Day was a holiday celebrated in England on 29 May to commemorate the restoration of the English monarchy, in May 1660...
each year the choir sings a Latin Hymn to Charles from the roof as the statue is wreathed in oak leaves; a similar ceremony takes place on Ascension Day at 7.00am.
In 2008 the Narthex, Vestries and Lavatories were refurbished, and a privately-leased Coffee Shop operates from its North and South areas, and on the space under the Portico. The North end of the Coffee Shop is named the John Clare
John Clare
John Clare was an English poet, born the son of a farm labourer who came to be known for his celebratory representations of the English countryside and his lamentation of its disruption. His poetry underwent a major re-evaluation in the late 20th century and he is often now considered to be among...
Lounge, after the poet who sat outside this space, composing his poems. Two years earlier, in 2006, a new Chancel Organ
Pipe organ
The pipe organ is a musical instrument that produces sound by driving pressurized air through pipes selected via a keyboard. Because each organ pipe produces a single pitch, the pipes are provided in sets called ranks, each of which has a common timbre and volume throughout the keyboard compass...
was installed to accompany the choirs (a West Gallery Organ is used for recitals (which are given on the first Thursday of the month (except August) and every Thursday in June and July at 1.10pm), and a small Organ in the Memorial Chapel for congregational services) alongside a new ring of ten bells, replacing a heavy set of eight dating from 1782.
All Saints is open from 9:00am to 5:00pm throughout the year, with extended opening on days with choral services.
The Choirs
The renowned choirChoir
A choir, chorale or chorus is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform.A body of singers who perform together as a group is called a choir or chorus...
of All Saints' Church, Northampton was formed in the Middle Ages and consists of Boys and Men and more recently, girls. The boys choir, the last of its kind singing in Northamptonshire
Northamptonshire
Northamptonshire is a landlocked county in the English East Midlands, with a population of 629,676 as at the 2001 census. It has boundaries with the ceremonial counties of Warwickshire to the west, Leicestershire and Rutland to the north, Cambridgeshire to the east, Bedfordshire to the south-east,...
range from 8 to 14 years old and the girls from 12 to 18. The men consist of Choral Scholars with an age range of 15 to 18, most of them having previously sung in the treble line, and Lay Clerks. The choirs sing five or more choral services a week, with Choral Evensong
Evening Prayer (Anglican)
Evening Prayer is a liturgy in use in the Anglican Communion and celebrated in the late afternoon or evening...
being sung at 6.00pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, as well as Sunday alongside the 10.30am Choral Eucharist
Eucharist
The Eucharist , also called Holy Communion, the Sacrament of the Altar, the Blessed Sacrament, the Lord's Supper, and other names, is a Christian sacrament or ordinance...
. In addition a voluntary choir
Choir
A choir, chorale or chorus is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform.A body of singers who perform together as a group is called a choir or chorus...
, the All Saints' Singers, sing at the daily 12.30pm Eucharist on Feast Days; the music department thus currently boasts over 100 musicians regularly leading the services.
In recent years the choir
Choir
A choir, chorale or chorus is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform.A body of singers who perform together as a group is called a choir or chorus...
has toured the United States of America (three times), France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
(twice), Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
and Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
, where the senior choristers sang Britten's War Requiem in a televised performance marking the seventieth anniversary of the invasion in 1939. In May 2010 they visited Paris, singing at the Église Saint-Sulpice and receiving a standing ovation from an audience of over one thousand at Notre Dame de Paris. In August 2010 they sang in residence at Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin
Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin
Christ Church Cathedral is the cathedral of the United Dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough and the cathedral of the Ecclesiastical province of the United Provinces of Dublin and Cashel in the Church of Ireland...
. They have sung in many English Cathedrals, most recently Chester Cathedral
Chester Cathedral
Chester Cathedral is the mother church of the Church of England Diocese of Chester, and is located in the city of Chester, Cheshire, England. The cathedral, formerly St Werburgh's abbey church of a Benedictine monastery, is dedicated to Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary...
, Ely Cathedral
Ely Cathedral
Ely Cathedral is the principal church of the Diocese of Ely, in Cambridgeshire, England, and is the seat of the Bishop of Ely and a suffragan bishop, the Bishop of Huntingdon...
, Lichfield Cathedral
Lichfield Cathedral
Lichfield Cathedral is situated in Lichfield, Staffordshire, England. It is the only medieval English cathedral with three spires. The Diocese of Lichfield covers all of Staffordshire, much of Shropshire and part of the Black Country and West Midlands...
, Gloucester Cathedral
Gloucester Cathedral
Gloucester Cathedral, or the Cathedral Church of St Peter and the Holy and Indivisible Trinity, in Gloucester, England, stands in the north of the city near the river. It originated in 678 or 679 with the foundation of an abbey dedicated to Saint Peter .-Foundations:The foundations of the present...
and Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey
The Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster, popularly known as Westminster Abbey, is a large, mainly Gothic church, in the City of Westminster, London, United Kingdom, located just to the west of the Palace of Westminster. It is the traditional place of coronation and burial site for English,...
. In 2010 they sang for the first time at St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle
St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle
St George's Chapel is the place of worship at Windsor Castle in England, United Kingdom. It is both a royal peculiar and the chapel of the Order of the Garter...
and King's College Chapel, Cambridge
King's College Chapel, Cambridge
King's College Chapel is the chapel to King's College of the University of Cambridge, and is one of the finest examples of late Gothic English architecture, while its early Renaissance rood screen separating the nave and chancel, erected in 1532-36 in a striking contrast of style, has been called...
. In September 2011 they will sing at St Paul's Cathedral
St Paul's Cathedral
St Paul's Cathedral, London, is a Church of England cathedral and seat of the Bishop of London. Its dedication to Paul the Apostle dates back to the original church on this site, founded in AD 604. St Paul's sits at the top of Ludgate Hill, the highest point in the City of London, and is the mother...
and in 2012 the Boys' Choir will tour Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
, Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
and Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, and the choirs will sing at Gloucester Cathedral
Gloucester Cathedral
Gloucester Cathedral, or the Cathedral Church of St Peter and the Holy and Indivisible Trinity, in Gloucester, England, stands in the north of the city near the river. It originated in 678 or 679 with the foundation of an abbey dedicated to Saint Peter .-Foundations:The foundations of the present...
, St Edmundsbury Cathedral, St Alban's Abbey and York Minster
York Minster
York Minster is a Gothic cathedral in York, England and is one of the largest of its kind in Northern Europe alongside Cologne Cathedral. The minster is the seat of the Archbishop of York, the second-highest office of the Church of England, and is the cathedral for the Diocese of York; it is run by...
.
In the past five years they have performed in concert with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra is a British orchestra based in London. It tours widely, and is sometimes referred to as "Britain's national orchestra"...
, the Henryk Wieniawski
Henryk Wieniawski
Henryk Wieniawski was a Polish violinist and composer.-Biography:Henryk Wieniawski was born in Lublin, Congress Poland, Russian Empire. His father, Tobiasz Pietruszka, had converted to Catholicism. His talent for playing the violin was recognized early, and in 1843 he entered the Paris...
Orchestra of Lublin, members of Queens' Park Sinfonia, Fiori Musicali, and the Stephen Petronio
Stephen Petronio
Stephen Petronio is an artistic company founder/director, choreographer, and an American dancer based in New York City.Born in Newark, New Jersey, on March 20, 1956. Petronio received a B.A. degree from Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts, where he began dancing in 1974...
Company in a performance of Rufus Wainwright
Rufus Wainwright
Rufus McGarrigle Wainwright is an American-Canadian singer-songwriter. He has recorded six albums of original music, EPs, and tracks on compilations and film soundtracks.-Early years:...
's Bloom. They gave their first full performance of Handel
HANDEL
HANDEL was the code-name for the UK's National Attack Warning System in the Cold War. It consisted of a small console consisting of two microphones, lights and gauges. The reason behind this was to provide a back-up if anything failed....
's Messiah in 2008, and in recent years have given concert performances of Monteverdi's Vespers, J. S. Bach's Cantata Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, BWV 140, Haydn's Nelson Mass, Vaughan Williams' "Five mystical songs", Britten's "War Requiem", "Friday Afternoons" and "Ceremony of Carols", and Requiems by Bednall
Bednall
Bednall is a village in Staffordshire, England. The village lies somewhat remote from main roads, in dairy-farming countryside some 2.5 miles southeast of Stafford, 2 miles east of M6 junction 13 and Acton Trussell, about a mile west of the A34 Cannock to Stafford road and about 1 mile southeast of...
, Duruflé, Fauré
Faure
Faure or Fauré is a French family name and may refer to:People:* Edgar Faure, French politician* Élie Faure, French art historian and essayist* Émile Alphonse Faure, lead battery pioneer* Cédric Fauré, French football striker...
and Rutter
John Rutter
John Milford Rutter CBE is a British composer, conductor, editor, arranger and record producer, mainly of choral music.-Biography:Born in London, Rutter was educated at Highgate School, where a fellow pupil was John Tavener. He read music at Clare College, Cambridge, where he was a member of the...
. In March 2010 they performed J. S. Bach's St Matthew Passion alongside the Northampton Bach Choir and the period orchestra Charivari Agréable, and the Choral Scholars and Lay Clerks's joined the Northampton Bach Choir to perform Rachmaninoff's Vespers in November 2010. In January 2011 they sang again alongside the Northampton Bach Choir and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra is a British orchestra based in London. It tours widely, and is sometimes referred to as "Britain's national orchestra"...
in a performance of Requiem (Fauré)
Requiem (Fauré)
Gabriel Fauré composed his Requiem in D minor, Op. 48 between 1887 and 1890. This choral–orchestral setting of the Roman Catholic Mass for the Dead is the best known of his large works. The most famous movement is the soprano aria Pie Jesu...
and Handel
HANDEL
HANDEL was the code-name for the UK's National Attack Warning System in the Cold War. It consisted of a small console consisting of two microphones, lights and gauges. The reason behind this was to provide a back-up if anything failed....
's Zadok the Priest
Zadok the Priest
Zadok the Priest is a coronation anthem composed by George Frideric Handel using texts from the King James Bible. It is one of the four Coronation Anthems that Handel composed for the coronation of George II of Great Britain in 1727,The other Coronation Anthems Handel composed are: The King Shall...
and in March 2011 they gave a concert performance of Franz Schubert
Franz Schubert
Franz Peter Schubert was an Austrian composer.Although he died at an early age, Schubert was tremendously prolific. He wrote some 600 Lieder, nine symphonies , liturgical music, operas, some incidental music, and a large body of chamber and solo piano music...
's choral works with the Tyburn String Quartet.
They have a considerable catalogue of recordings, and in 2011 recorded two new discs; a second CD of French music for upper voices with the Girls' Choir, and the combined choirs recorded their fourth Christmas CD. All three choirs recorded a disc of their commissions - OMNES SANCTI - in the fine acoustics of St Mary's Church in Wellingborough in July 2010. Further plans include a CD of the music of Adrian Self, a disc of English music for upper voices and piano, and a recording of Solemn Choral Evensong and Benediction for Whitsun, a disc which will exclusively feature North American compositions. There are two CDs available of the Gallery Organ
Organ (music)
The organ , is a keyboard instrument of one or more divisions, each played with its own keyboard operated either with the hands or with the feet. The organ is a relatively old musical instrument in the Western musical tradition, dating from the time of Ctesibius of Alexandria who is credited with...
, one of three organs in the building; they also have grand piano given to the Church by Sir Clifford Curzon
Clifford Curzon
Sir Clifford Michael Curzon, CBE was an English pianist.-Early life:Clifford Michael Siegenberg was born in London to Michael and Constance Mary Siegenberg...
.
They are directed by Lee Dunleavy, former Organ Scholar of York Minster
York Minster
York Minster is a Gothic cathedral in York, England and is one of the largest of its kind in Northern Europe alongside Cologne Cathedral. The minster is the seat of the Archbishop of York, the second-highest office of the Church of England, and is the cathedral for the Diocese of York; it is run by...
and Hertford College, Oxford
Hertford College, Oxford
Hertford College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. It is located in Catte Street, directly opposite the main entrance of the original Bodleian Library. As of 2006, the college had a financial endowment of £52m. There are 612 students , plus various visiting...
, who is assisted by W. Ron Gates and Roger Palmer, Assistant Organists, Nathan Lam, Senior Organ Scholar and Joseph Groves, Junior Organ Scholar. The Church has produced many successful musicians, including Lay Clerks and Organists who hold or recently held positions at Blackburn Cathedral
Blackburn Cathedral
Blackburn Cathedral, officially known as the Cathedral Church of Blackburn Saint Mary the Virgin, is a cathedral situated in the heart of Blackburn town centre, in Lancashire, England...
, Guildford Cathedral
Guildford Cathedral
The Cathedral Church of the Holy Spirit, Guildford is the Anglican cathedral at Guildford, Surrey, England.-Construction:Guildford was made a diocese in its own right in 1927, and work on its new cathedral, designed by Sir Edward Maufe, began nine years later, with the foundation stone being laid...
, Nativity Cathedral, Bethlehem PA, Magdalen College, Oxford
Magdalen College, Oxford
Magdalen College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. As of 2006 the college had an estimated financial endowment of £153 million. Magdalen is currently top of the Norrington Table after over half of its 2010 finalists received first-class degrees, a record...
, New College, Oxford
New College, Oxford
New College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom.- Overview :The College's official name, College of St Mary, is the same as that of the older Oriel College; hence, it has been referred to as the "New College of St Mary", and is now almost always...
, Robinson College, Cambridge
Robinson College, Cambridge
Robinson College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge.Robinson is the newest of the Cambridge colleges, and is unique in being the only one to have been intended, from its inception, for both undergraduate and graduate students of either sex.- History :The college was founded...
, Peterborough Cathedral
Peterborough Cathedral
Peterborough Cathedral, properly the Cathedral Church of St Peter, St Paul and St Andrew – also known as Saint Peter's Cathedral in the United Kingdom – is the seat of the Bishop of Peterborough, dedicated to Saint Peter, Saint Paul and Saint Andrew, whose statues look down from the...
, St Albans Cathedral
St Albans Cathedral
St Albans Cathedral is a Church of England cathedral church at St Albans, England. At , its nave is the longest of any cathedral in England...
, St Paul's Cathedral
St Paul's Cathedral
St Paul's Cathedral, London, is a Church of England cathedral and seat of the Bishop of London. Its dedication to Paul the Apostle dates back to the original church on this site, founded in AD 604. St Paul's sits at the top of Ludgate Hill, the highest point in the City of London, and is the mother...
, St George's Chapel, Windsor, The Royal Academy of Music
Royal Academy of Music
The Royal Academy of Music in London, England, is a conservatoire, Britain's oldest degree-granting music school and a constituent college of the University of London since 1999. The Academy was founded by Lord Burghersh in 1822 with the help and ideas of the French harpist and composer Nicolas...
, The Royal College of Music, Wells Cathedral
Wells Cathedral
Wells Cathedral is a Church of England cathedral in Wells, Somerset, England. It is the seat of the Bishop of Bath and Wells, who lives at the adjacent Bishop's Palace....
and York Minster
York Minster
York Minster is a Gothic cathedral in York, England and is one of the largest of its kind in Northern Europe alongside Cologne Cathedral. The minster is the seat of the Archbishop of York, the second-highest office of the Church of England, and is the cathedral for the Diocese of York; it is run by...
.
Commissioning of New Music
The Choirs of All Saints pride themselves on performing a diverse repertoire and since 2002 have continued the earlier tradition at St Matthew's Church, Northampton by commissioning new choral and organ works; in the last five years they have given first performances of numerous choral and organ works, including a Mass setting by Adrian Self, a setting of "Ave Maria" from James MacMillan, and two new Carols by Sir Richard Rodney BennettRichard Rodney Bennett
Sir Richard Rodney Bennett, CBE is an English composer renowned for his film scores and his jazz performance as much as for his challenging concert works...
("The Holly and the Ivy" and "The Shepherd's Carol"). In May 2011 they gave the first performance of a double-organ and double-choir Mass - "Messe pour Saint-Sulpice" - from David Briggs. Their first 2012 commission has recently been announced as a setting of the Evening Canticles from Michael Finnissy
Michael Finnissy
Michael Finnissy is an English composer and pianist. His music is characterised by the range of extremes often found in his work; opposing binary structures are found commonly, often seen as juxtaposing textures, register and tempi...
. Principal commissions are listed in bold.
2012 : Magnificat and Nunc dimittis (Third Service), S+org, Michael Finnissy
Michael Finnissy
Michael Finnissy is an English composer and pianist. His music is characterised by the range of extremes often found in his work; opposing binary structures are found commonly, often seen as juxtaposing textures, register and tempi...
- 2012 : Three short motets (Lov og tak og evig ære ske dig, Skriv dig, Jesus, på mit hjerte, Som hønen klukker mindelig), S+org, Adrian Self
2011 : Messe pour Saint-Sulpice, S+SATB+2org, David Briggs
- 2011 : Ecce sacerdos magnus, SSATB John CaldwellJohn Caldwell (musicologist)John Anthony Caldwell is an English musicologist and composer.-Life:Caldwell was born in Bebington, Cheshire and studied the organ at the Matthay School of Music in Liverpool, becoming a Fellow of the Royal College of Organists in 1957. He studied at Keble College, Oxford, obtaining his B.A. in...
- 2011 : O Jesu, blessèd Lord, to Thee (O Jesu! søde Jesu, dig), S+org, Humphrey Clucas
- 2011 : Sussex Carol, SATB+org, Alan Spedding after a sketch by Trevor Hold
- 2011 : God be in my head, SATB+org, Philip MoorePhilip Moore (organist)Philip Moore is an English composer and organist.-Career:After studying at the Royal College of Music, he became Assistant Organist at Canterbury Cathedral in 1968. He was appointed Organist and Master of the Choristers at Guildford Cathedral in 1974...
2010 : Two Carols (The Holly and the Ivy; The Shepherd's Carol), SATB (with divisions), Sir Richard Rodney Bennett
Richard Rodney Bennett
Sir Richard Rodney Bennett, CBE is an English composer renowned for his film scores and his jazz performance as much as for his challenging concert works...
- 2010 : Jubilate Deo in E, SATB+org, Gordon Lawson
- 2010 : Two Benediction Hymns (O salutaris hostia; Tantum ergo), S+org, Norman Caplin
- 2010 : Dei virgo Catharina, S+org, George Haynes
- 2010 : Rhapsody, org, Gordon Lawson
2009 : Ave Maria, SATB+org, James MacMillan
- 2009 : Little Mass of All Saints, SS+org; Ave verum Corpus, SS+org; Preces & Responses, SS+org, Adrian Self
- 2009 : Man be merry, SATB, Barry Ferguson
- 2009 : Magnificat and Nunc dimittis (The Northampton Service), SS+org, Gordon Lawson
- 2009 : Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous, SS+org, Andrew Bryden
2008 : The Passion according to Saint Matthew, S+SATB+2org, David Bednall
- 2008 : O soft self-wounding Pelican! S+pf/org, Stephen HoughStephen HoughStephen Andrew Gill Hough is a British-born classical pianist, composer and writer. He became an Australian citizen in 2005 and thus has dual nationality .-Biography:...
- 2008 : Prelude and fugue on 'Kingsfold', org, Richard White
- 2008 : Make here a little quiet, SATB; Magnificat and Nunc dimittis (The All Saints' Service), S+org, Barry Ferguson
2007 : Two anthems (Ecce sacerdos magnus, SSAATTBB; O living bread, SATB+org) Ian Colson
- 2007 : Fünf geistliche Lieder, SSS+org, Lee Dunleavy
2006 : O praise God in his holiness, SATB+org, David Bednall
- 2006 : Berceuse, org, David Briggs
- 2006 : Quam Dilecta, SSSAA, Simon Whiteley
2005 : Missa 'Omnes Sancti', SATB+2org, Malcolm Archer
Malcolm Archer
Malcolm Archer is an English organist, conductor and composer. He combines this work with a recital career. Archer was formerly Organist and Director of Music at St Paul's Cathedral, and is now Director of Chapel Music at Winchester College....
- 2005 : Dominus illuminatio mea, SATTBB+org, Matthew Martin
2004 : For Remembrance, SATTB, Robert Walker
Robert Walker
-Creative arts:*Robert Walker , American actor*Robert Walker , English portrait painter*Rob Walker , Australian poet*Robert Joseph Walker , Australian Aboriginal poet*Robert W...
2003 : Two anthems (Drop, drop, slow tears; The Bethlehem Star), SATB+org, Robert Walker
Robert Walker
-Creative arts:*Robert Walker , American actor*Robert Walker , English portrait painter*Rob Walker , Australian poet*Robert Joseph Walker , Australian Aboriginal poet*Robert W...
2002 : O where can I go from your spirit?, SATB+org, Malcolm Archer
Malcolm Archer
Malcolm Archer is an English organist, conductor and composer. He combines this work with a recital career. Archer was formerly Organist and Director of Music at St Paul's Cathedral, and is now Director of Chapel Music at Winchester College....
- 1998 : Father, we thank Thee, S+org, David SangerDavid SangerDavid Sanger is the name of:* David Sanger * David Sanger * David E. Sanger , White House correspondent for The New York Times...
- 1996 : Bread of the World, SATB+org, John Hoyle
- 1993 : May the road rise up to meet you, SATB+org, Russell Jackson
- 1844 : Psalm 150 (O praise God in his holiness), SATB+org, Charles McKorkell