Each of those present felt the mystery and mysticism, the beauty of the sound of Hildegard von Bingen’s music .Her Symphonia armoniae celestium revelationum, featured soaring, mystical chants expressing divine light and cosmic harmony, distinct from Gregorian plainchant, with lyrics praising Mary, saints, and divine wisdom, including the famous morality play Ordo Virtutum, making her one of the earliest known composers with extensive surviving works that blend intense spiritual feeling with unique melodic lines, often linked to her prophetic visions and known to us as best medieval composer.Her melodies — wildly expressive, richly melismatic, and imbued with a profound spiritual imagination — feel timeless, as though she was channeling something far larger than herself.
Hearing this music on the Toronto Consort stage in December 2025 is a huge honor and a huge thank to the team of musicians who worked on the program.
Opening remarks by the President Heather Turnbull
This is monophonic music 12th century,which is imbued with her spiritual vision. These are unique individual musical lines that unite into harmony.
I want to say right away that those who attend and attend the Toronto Consort’s concerts, in all seasons, are fortunate admirers of Renaissance music, which this team of musicians so reverently creates and reproduces for Toronto under the direction of a wonderful, talented conductor Daniel Taylor.
On December 7, Toronto Consort Honorary Patron Dame Emma Kirkby returns to our stage for A Medieval Christmas – A Feather on the Breath of God and Her presence at this concert added a line of continuity between generations, care and love for the admirers of this music, and her singing is a separate admiration.This is a deeply moving Advent concert by the Toronto Consort, led by the legendary Dame Emma Kirkby.
I want to say that being an admirer of this team of musicians, helping them financially, and supporting them is important to preserving the traditions of Renaissance music.
That’s why hearing this a cappella singing is breathtaking, and the choir’s division into two parts and their union during singing is the height of pleasure. The audience feels as if they are drowning in the music, it flows from below and surrounds the hall on all sides.
Following centuries-old traditions and never changing them, Christmas is divided into pre-Christmas and post-Christmas caroling.
So, another magnificent post-Christmas concert awaits us.
Save the date—January 17, 2026 Trinity-St.Paul’s Centre,Jeanne Lamon Hall
Trinity-St. Paul’s Centre
427 Bloor Street West
,,A spotless rose”
Don’t miss out.
I’ll leave you with a list of concerts for next year’s seasons. There are several, but each one is unique. Allow yourself to savor the bliss and experience the splendor of Renaissance music.
