The New Consort Ensemble To Present 'Subtler Than Light: Music of the Dow Partbooks' At St. Paul's Episcopal Church In Carroll Gardens

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On Sunday, April 7th,  St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Carroll Gardens is welcoming the  nationally-acclaimed vocal ensemble The New Consort, directed by baritone and Lyme native Brian Mummert. "The professional quintet will present Subtler Than Light: Music of the Dow Partbooks, a concert exploring the music written during the reign of Elizabeth I. These works have been immortalized by 16th century calligrapher Robert Dow in the Dow Partbooks: a set of manuscripts, each containing only the musical line of the singer reading from it, that assemble some of the most important works of the Tudor era. Preserved within these books, one finds a snapshot of exemplary artists struggling to make sense of the world through the lens of their Christian faith; from Robert White’s Lamentations to William Byrd’s Laetentur coeli, these Elizabethan masters endeavor to capture the scope of human emotion." 

“We’re very lucky that Dow had impeccable taste,” explains Artistic Director Brian Mummert. “The music of composers like Byrd and Tallis is some of the most beautiful ever written, and Dow chose what I’d argue are the best pieces by each of them. I’m so excited to pair these works that have withstood the centuries with two world premieres on similar themes, and inspired by the Partbooks’ musical language, written specially for The New Consort by two important young composers: Rosśa Crean and Ethan McGrath. This concert is all about balance - warding off despair for our imperfect world with hope, and seeking an equilibrium between sombre contemplation and joy.”

Admission is a suggested donation of $20 in advance and $30 at the door, with a $10 student discount; tickets are available for purchase here or by calling (917) 740-9694. The performance will begin at 3:00, with doors opening at 2:30; A reception will follow the performance, at which guests are encouraged to examine facsimiles of the partbooks and meet the performers.

St. Paul's Episcopal Church is located at 199 Carroll Street in Carroll Gardens.
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