Brandenburg Choir Returns with NOEL! NOEL!

If any single concert sums up the spirit of the Brandenburg, it is the Noël! Noël! concerts with the acclaimed Brandenburg Choir. This year the stunning New Zealand soprano Madison Nonoa, an exciting new talent that Paul Dyer has recently discovered, will take centre stage as soloist.

"In the early Noël! Noël! concerts, emerging sopranos Sara Macliver and Taryn Fiebig were guest soloists and they have both gone on to major careers," says Paul. "I see a similar trajectory for Madison Nonoa. She is a star on the rise and people will remember the first time they hear this magnificent young voice."

One of the most popular Brandenburg traditions, Noël! Noël! touches on the religious but is firmly grounded in the spiritual. Audiences love to hear the Brandenburg performing O Come All Ye Faithful and Stille Nacht, but Paul Dyer always includes music that moves people of all faiths and beliefs. There's always something fun and Paul likes to throw in some twists to give each Christmas something special.

Some highlights in 2016 will be:

Ave Maria - a new take on the hit from ABC Classic FM's Swoon series, once attributed to baroque composer Caccini, later revealed to have been written by Russian composer Vladimir Vavilov in the 1970s.

The Luckiest - an irresistible arrangement of the biggest hit of singer/songwriter Ben Folds, a love song that has Pachelbel's Canon at its harmonic roots.

The Spheres - music by Norwegian composer Ola Gjeilo was one of the hits of last year's concert and for 2016 Paul has chosen this piece, the first movement of his Sunrise Mass. Gjeilo uses effects which he says give a "sense of floating in space.... surrounded by stars."

Ciaccona - our performance of this fabulous piece by Rittler in the first Brandenburg concert of 2016 was followed by an avalanche of requests for a repeat performance. Here it is!

Sackbuts and trumpets - a fuller brass team on renaissance trombones and natural trumpets will add a ceremonial touch and majestic spendour to favourite carols, as well as a brilliant and festive double trumpet concerto by Vivaldi.

"If you are planning to come to hear our Noël! Noël! in a church or a concert hall, I highly recommend booking early," says Paul. "These performances are always our fastest moving concerts and this year will certainly sell out in a flash!"

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