Name: A New Song and an Old Song
Start: 2026-01-31T19:30:00+00:00
Location: St George Parish Church, Bickley, Kent. UK

‘A New Song and an Old Song’ ushers in the New Year with a selection of works containing one of the most repeated thoughts in the psalms, a musical call to arms, ‘Sing Unto the Lord a New Song’. The ancient Book of Psalms contains the full span of human emotions and the call for renewal and command to sing heard in Psalms 96, 98 and 149 has inspired the French, Latin, German and English composers of our programme, from 16th-20th century and every century in between.
The programme further reflects on this theme and celebrates the 90th birthday year of Arvo Part with his canticles, the Magnificat and the Nunc Dimittis. In the former, Mary sings of her joy upon learning she will become the Mother of Christ, a song of new birth, while the second are the words of an old man, Simeon, singing his swansong. Alongside these come a collection of the oldest melodies, folk songs, made new by the brilliant arrangements of contemporary composers, and two joyous works by Howells and Britten, specifically written to see in the new year.
We very much hope that you will be able to join us. Donations are welcomed at the door (suggested at least £15; £5 for students and job-seekers).
Cantate Domine Claudio Monteverdi (1567-1643)
Chantez à Dieu Chanson Nouvelle Jan Pieter Sweelinck (1562-1621)
A New Song James MacMillan (1959-)
A New Year Carol Herbert Howells (1892-1983)
Magnificat Arvo Pärt (1935-)
Instrumental
O Sing unto the Lord a New Song Thomas Tomkins (1572-1656)
Singet dem Herrn Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Interval
Scarborough Fair Tradition English arr. Fraser Wilson
The Turtle Dove Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)
Shenandoah American Folk Song arr. James Erb
Instrumental
Nunc Dimittis Arvo Pärt (1935-)
A New Year Carol Benjain Britten (1913-76)
Cantate Domino Orlandus Lassus (1532-94)
Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied Hugo Distler (1908-42)