Christmas is a time of giving and in Tai Kwun’s Parade Ground the entire month of December celebrates the joy of giving, opening on 1^st December with one of life’s greatest joys – the Gift of Music. Conductor Sanders Lau has hand-picked the finest professional choristers in Hong Kong to establish NOĒMA - a superb new vocal ensemble which has already asserted its musical identity with its impressive inaugural concerts and has already become a shining star in Hong Kong’s musical scene.

The Gift of Music is a free and festive concert of uplifting music from the baroque era by Handel, Corelli and Vivaldi performed side-by-side with exquisite 20^th Century choral scores culminating in the beguiling Shaker song Simple Gifts – the theme and the sincere sentiment which embrace the entire month of free outdoor performances like a great big ribbon tied up in a bow.

Programme

Handel | Athalia, HWV 52: Overture

Vivaldi | Gloria, RV 589: I. Gloria in excelsis Deo

Handel | Messiah, HWV 56: Lift up your heads, O ye gates

Handel | Hercules, HWV 60: Crown with festal pomp the day

Corelli | Christmas’ Concerto Grosso in G minor, Op 6 No 8: III. Adagio - Allegro – Adagio

Handel | L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato, HWV 55: Or let the merry bells ring round

Vaughan Williams | Mass in G minor: Sanctus

Handel | Messiah, HWV 56: Glory to God

Vivaldi | Gloria, RV 589: X. Quoniam tu solus sanctus & XI. Cum sancto Spiritu

Traditional | Simple Gifts (arr. Joseph Ho)

NOĒMA

Conductor: Sanders Lau