Rebirth and Revival

Religious music can be expressed in various ways, from simple Gregorian melodies to revival songs—a genre that developed within the Free Church movement during the 18th century. When Uppsala Cathedral Boys’ Choir meets Stockholm Cathedral Boys’ Choir and Katarina Sturar, we will hear church music from different centuries.

The Spanish Renaissance composer Tomás Luis de Victoria composed Officium Defunctorum for the funeral of his employer, Maria of Austria. This work, also known as Victoria’s Requiem, is a passionate musical tribute to the Dowager Empress, who died in 1603.

Ave maris stella is a Catholic hymn in honour of the Virgin Mary, with a Latin text from the 8th-9th century. Edvard Grieg’s lyrical composition from 1898 is a shimmering interpretation of the comforting words.

The text of Daemon Irrepit Callidus is also medieval and speaks of how the devil tempts with his tricks, but that the heart of Jesus is worth more than all wicked temptations. The Romanian-Hungarian composer György Orbán illustrates this with complex rhythms, chromatic scales, dramatic crescendos, and poetic melodies.

Repertoire:
Gregorian melodies
Tomás Luis de Victoria Officium Defunctorum
Revival songs in men’s choir arrangements
Edvard Grieg Ave maris stella
György Orbán Daemon irrepit callidus

Men’s choirs of Uppsala Cathedral Boys’ Choir, Stockholm Cathedral Boys’ Choir, and Katarina Sturar
Margareta Raab and Gregory Lloyd, organists and conductors

Free admission | Collection in support of the music programme

Please note that large bags, backpacks, suitcases, and prams are not permitted inside the church!