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"Music: Breath of the statues. Perhaps: Silence of images. Your language where languages end" - Rainer Maria Rilke

Described as “phenomenal” (The Timesand “devastatingly beautiful” (Gramophone Magazine), award-winning choir Tenebrae is one of the world’s leading vocal ensembles, renowned for its passion and precision.

For purity and precision of tone, and flawless intonation, Nigel Short’s chamber choir Tenebrae is pretty much unbeatable.

– The Times

Under the direction of Nigel Short, Tenebrae performs at major festivals and venues across the globe, including the BBC Proms, Wigmore Hall, Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, Rheingau Musik Festival and Sydney Festival. The choir has earned international acclaim for its interpretations of choral music ranging from the Renaissance through to contemporary masterpieces, and it regularly commissions new music. Previous commissions have included works by Judith Bingham, Joanna Marsh, Owain Park, Josephine Stephenson, Joby Talbot and Roderick Williams. Tenebrae has enjoyed collaborations with some of the UK’s leading orchestras, appearing alongside the London Symphony Orchestra, Aurora Orchestra, the Academy of Ancient Music and Britten Sinfonia. The choir also produces an annual Holy Week Festival in partnership with St John’s Smith Square, London.

Choral development is central to Tenebrae’s ethos, and through its Associate Artist Programme it provides crucial training and performance opportunities to young professional singers. Alongside its performance and recording schedule, the choir also runs a thriving Learning & Connection programme which encompasses partnerships with Music Centre London and London Youth ChoirsTenebrae Effect workshops with amateur choirs, and its newest programme Singing Schools. Run in partnership with Ealing Music Service, Singing Schools  aims to embed a long-lasting singing culture in local schools which might otherwise face barriers to music-making.

A concert by the British choir Tenebrae is more than a performance. It’s an experience that envelops the audience… this is one of the best choirs in the world.

– St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Tenebrae’s ever-increasing discography has brought about collaborations with Signum, Decca Classics, Deutsche Grammophon, EMI Classics, LSO Live and Warner Classics. In 2012 Tenebrae was the first-ever ensemble to be multi-nominated in the same category for the BBC Music Magazine Awards, securing the accolade of ‘Best Choral Performance’ for the choir’s recording of Victoria’s Requiem Mass, 1605.  In 2016 Tenebrae received its second BBC Music Magazine Award for a recording of Brahms and Bruckner Motets, the profits from the sale of which benefit Macmillan Cancer Support. In 2018, the choir received its first Grammy nomination for its album of part songs from the British Isles, Music of the Spheres.

Signum’s current roster includes many excellent ensembles but the choral jewel in the crown is surely Tenebrae – Nigel Short’s outstanding chamber choir.

– Gramophone Magazine

‘Passion and Precision’ are Tenebrae’s core values. Through its continued dedication to performance of the highest quality, Tenebrae’s vision is to inspire audiences around the world through dramatic programming, flawless performances and unforgettable experiences.

Featured on

Johann Sebastian Bach, James MacMillan
Bach & MacMillan Motets & Sacred Songs
Tenebrae
Various composers
In Winter's House: Christmas with Tenebrae
Tenebrae
Various composers
When Sleep Comes
Tenebrae | Christian Forshaw
François Couperin, Carlo Gesualdo
Couperin & Gesualdo
Tenebrae
Paweł Łukaszewski
Daylight Declines
Tenebrae Choir
Various composers
A Walk With Ivor Gurney
Tenebrae
Various composers
Symphonic Psalms & Prayers
Tenebrae
Owain Park, Joby Talbot
Path of Miracles, Footsteps
Tenebrae
Various composers
Music of the Spheres: Part Songs of the British Isles
Tenebrae
Various composers
A Very English Christmas
Tenebrae
On Eagles' Wings
Tenebrae
Bob Chilcott
Sun, Moon, Sea and Stars
Tenebrae Consort
Anton Bruckner, Johannes Brahms
Brahms & Bruckner Motets
Tenebrae Choir
Will Todd
Lux et Veritas - Music for Peace and Reflection
Tenebrae / English Chamber Orchestra / Nigel Short
Thomas Tallis
Medieval Chant - Tallis Lamentations
Tenebrae Consort / Nigel Short
Tomás Luis de Victoria
Tenebrae Responsories
Tenebrae
Alexander Levine
The Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom
Tenebrae
Various composers
Choral Collection
Tenebrae / The King's Singers / Gabrieli Consort / BBC Singers / Ex Cathedra / Rodolfus Choir / Huddersfield Choral Society
A Cappella Collection
The King's Singers / BBC Singers / London Quartet / The Swingle Singers / VOCES8 / Coro Cervantes
Will Todd
The Call of Wisdom
Tenebrae / English Chamber Orchestra
Tomás Luis de Victoria
de Victoria: Requiem Mass 1605
Tenebrae / Short
Alexander Levine
Levine: Prayers for Mankind
Tenebrae / Nigel Short
Francis Poulenc
Figure Humaine
Tenebrae
Various composers
What Sweeter Music
Tenebrae
Various composers
Gaudete
Tenebrae
Various composers
Allegri Miserere
Tenebrae
John Tavener
Mother and Child
Tenebrae / Nigel Short, director