Silent Night: Rutter, Whitacre, Pärt (Sun)

The Byrd Ensemble, directed by Markdavin Obenza, celebrates the release of its new Christmas album, Silent Night.
This program pairs traditional carols with modern settings of the same source: two settings of the rose hymn Es ist ein Ros entsprungen, two settings of In the Bleak Midwinter, and Silent Night itself — first in Gruber's original German, then in two world-premiere arrangements by Kerensa Briggs and Ēriks Ešenvalds. The largest work is John Rutter's Dancing Day, a 25-minute cycle for treble voices and harp that weaves eight traditional carols into one continuous piece.
PROGRAM
Praetorius (arr.) – Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming
Sandström (arr.) – Es ist ein Ros entsprungen
Whitacre – Lux Aurumque
Pärt – Nunc Dimittis
Gruber – Stille Nacht
Briggs (arr.) – Silent Night (world premiere)
Howells – A Spotless Rose
Willcocks (arr.) – Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day
Rutter – What Sweeter Music
Holst – In the Bleak Midwinter
Gjeilo (arr.) – In the Bleak Midwinter
Rutter – Dancing Day
Ešenvalds (arr.) – Silent Night (world premiere)
Sunday, November 29, 2026 at 3:00 PM
Town Hall Seattle, 1119 8th Ave, Seattle, WA
Doors open 30 minutes before. Running time 1 hr 30 min, including intermission.
Tickets: https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/byrdensemble/nov-29-silent-night
Can't make it? Watch the virtual concert video (Dec 12 – Jan 12): https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/byrdensemble/silent-night-virtual-concert
Also on Saturday, November 28 at 8:00 PM at Holy Rosary Church, West Seattle.
More info: https://www.byrdensemble.com/nov-28-29-silent-night