Role

:

Ensemble

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Vocal

 

Tenebrae is a British classical music ensemble that specializes in choral music. The group was founded in 2001 by Nigel Short, a former member of the renowned vocal ensemble The King's Singers. Since its inception, Tenebrae has gained a reputation for its exceptional musicianship and innovative programming, and has become one of the most sought-after choral ensembles in the world. Nigel Short was born in 1966 in Lancashire, England. He began his musical career as a chorister at Westminster Abbey, and later studied music at the University of York. After completing his studies, Short joined The King's Singers, a six-member vocal ensemble that was founded in 1968 and quickly became one of the most popular and acclaimed choral groups in the world. Short sang with The King's Singers for 13 years, during which time he performed in over 2,000 concerts and recorded more than 30 albums. In 2001, Short decided to form his own choral ensemble, which he named Tenebrae. The group's name comes from the Latin word for "darkness," and refers to the Tenebrae service, a Christian liturgy that is traditionally held on the evening of Maundy Thursday. The service involves the gradual extinguishing of candles, symbolizing the darkness that descended upon the world after the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Tenebrae's first performance took place in 2001 at St. Bartholomew-the-Great, a historic church in London. The group's debut concert was a great success, and Tenebrae quickly gained a reputation for its exceptional musicianship and innovative programming. The ensemble's repertoire includes a wide range of choral music, from Renaissance polyphony to contemporary works, and its performances are known for their precision, clarity, and emotional depth. Over the years, Tenebrae has performed at some of the world's most prestigious concert halls and festivals, including the Royal Albert Hall, the Edinburgh International Festival, and the BBC Proms. The group has also collaborated with some of the world's leading orchestras and conductors, including the London Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and Sir Simon Rattle. One of Tenebrae's most notable performances took place in 2005, when the group performed at the funeral of Pope John Paul II in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. Tenebrae's performance of Allegri's Miserere, a hauntingly beautiful piece of choral music that was composed in the 17th century, was widely praised for its beauty and emotional power. In addition to its live performances, Tenebrae has also released a number of critically acclaimed recordings. The group's first album, entitled "The Music of the Spheres," was released in 2006 and features a selection of choral music from the Renaissance and Baroque periods. Since then, Tenebrae has released over a dozen albums, including "Requiem," a collection of choral music for the dead, and "A Hymn of Heavenly Beauty," which features works by the English composer Benjamin Britten. Tenebrae has received numerous awards and accolades for its performances and recordings. In 2007, the group won the BBC Music Magazine Award for Best Choral Recording for its album "The Music of the Spheres." In 2012, Tenebrae was awarded the prestigious Diapason d'Or de l'Année, one of the most prestigious awards in the classical music world, for its recording of Brahms' Ein Deutsches Requiem. In addition to its live performances and recordings, Tenebrae is also committed to music education and outreach.

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