Cantorelli & organist David Baker in Concert in Hebden Bridge March 1st

Imagine stepping inside a historic Yorkshire church and being whisked away on a musical journey that spans five whole centuries. Sounds like something out of a film, right? Well, it's happening right here in Hebden Bridge. On Sunday, 1st March, a special concert is set to fill St. James the Great Parish Church with the incredible sounds of choral and organ music. This isn't just any old concert; it's a trip back in time, featuring masterpieces from composers who were writing hits way back in the 1500s, all the way through to the late 1800s. It’s the kind of afternoon that reminds you how powerful live music can be, especially when it’s performed by seriously talented local people.

A truly Yorkshire performance with a master of the keys

What makes this concert extra special is who's involved. The singing comes from Cantorelli, a Calderdale-based vocal ensemble that was actually founded in Hebden Bridge more than 30 years ago. They are a cornerstone of the local music scene and have been bringing brilliant choral performances to the area for decades. When a group has been around that long, you know they’re doing something right. Their voices together create a sound that’s perfect for the beautiful setting of a parish church.

And then there’s the organ music. The man at the keys is Professor David Baker, who is a bit of a legend in the organ world. He’s not just an organist; he’s an accredited tutor for the top organisation for organ tuition and even wrote the go-to book on the instrument, called The Organ: a guide to its construction, history, usage and music. So, he really knows his stuff. He's also the founder and director of the Halifax Organ Academy and the choirmaster and organist at St. Michael's Church in Mytholmroyd. For this event, David Baker will not only accompany the vocal ensemble but will also perform some incredible solo music on a chest organ. Having an organist of his calibre means the organ parts of this concert will be absolutely phenomenal.

A musical journey from the Tudors to the Victorians

The setlist for this concert is basically a 'greatest hits' of sacred choral and organ music from across the centuries. The journey starts with a Renaissance composer, Thomas Tallis. Think of the Tudor period, with kings and queens like Henry VIII and Elizabeth I – Tallis was writing his beautiful, perfectly balanced choral pieces back then. His music is considered a foundation of the English choral tradition, and you can hear why; it’s just timeless.

The performance will then move forward in time, featuring more amazing composers. The programme includes:

• Music by Tallis's contemporary, John Cosyn, and later English composers and organists like the famous Henry Purcell and John Stanley.

• A masterful motet by Johann Sebastian Bach, a composer famous for his incredibly clever and intricate music that weaves together different melodies perfectly.

• A deeply moving motet by Johannes Brahms, whose music is known for being rich, textured, and full of human emotion.

• An awe-inspiring harmonic motet by Anton Bruckner, who was brilliant at creating huge, powerful sounds that fill a space.

• The warmly lyrical Stabat Mater by Josef Rheinberger, a late Romantic composer whose work is both beautifully crafted and incredibly moving.

This fantastic selection of sacred choral pieces means the audience gets to experience how this kind of music evolved over hundreds of years. From the spare elegance of the Renaissance composer to the grand emotion of the Romantics, it’s a whole history lesson in one afternoon concert. Each piece, whether it's a motet or a solo organ work, has been chosen to showcase the best of this amazing musical tradition.

So, what's a motet when it's at home?

You might have noticed the word 'motet' popping up a few times. It sounds a bit formal, but it’s actually a really cool type of music. A motet is essentially a special piece of choral music, usually with religious words, that was incredibly popular for centuries. Think of it as a kind of classical anthem for a choir. Composers like Bach, Brahms, and Bruckner used the motet form to create some of their most powerful and inventive music. It’s not just simple hymn-singing; a motet often involves complex harmonies and different vocal parts weaving in and out of each other. It’s designed to be impressive and to make the listener feel something profound. This concert gives people a chance to hear three very different but equally brilliant examples of the motet from some of history's greatest composers. It's a key part of the sacred choral experience.

The essential info for the concert

If you fancy a relaxing and inspiring Sunday afternoon filled with stunning music in a beautiful setting, this is the event for you. It's a chance to hear a brilliant local vocal ensemble perform with a top-class organist, all right on your doorstep in Yorkshire. Here are all the details you need to pop in your diary for this fantastic musical event.

What: A Concert of Choral and Organ Music Who: Vocal ensemble Cantorelli and organist Professor David Baker When: Sunday, 1st March at 3:30 pm Where: St. James the Great, Hebden Bridge Parish Church Tickets: £10.00 on the door (Under 18s get in for free!)

The fact that under-18s have free admission makes this a brilliant opportunity for younger people to experience the power of live classical music in a real church setting. It promises to be a memorable performance for everyone.