Canticle of the Sun – Vivamus Chamber Choir

On the eve of the longest day of the year, London chamber choir Vivamus present a special programme which celebrates light in all its forms, from pale morning rays to gleaming stars at night including Stephen Dodgson’s Canticle of the Sun.

Beginning with Macmillan’s O Radiant Dawn, they explore musical manifestations of sunlight with Ešenvalds Rivers of Light, Dodgson’s Canticle of the Sun, and organ solo Lumière by Demessieux. Via Saari’s Sunset they then journey through dusk to the lights of the night sky, including piano solos Moon over Westminster by Bingham and Clair de Lune by Debussy, alongside Time, an original composition by Vivamus musical director, Rufus Frowde.

As music mirrors nature, the concert will begin in daylight and proceed through twilight, ending as night falls.

Tickets >

Vivamus reflections on Canticle of the Sun

Ahead of their concert, the choir shared their thoughts on the piece – the text and Stephen Dodgson’s approach to setting it, both from a singer’s and listener’s perspective. The resulting blog is full of delightful personal insights into the work.

‘Canticle of the Sun’ – a choir’s reflections