Summer Festival of Sacred Music at St. Bart's Presents Taverner's WESTERN WYNDE Mass, 8/12

The Summer Festival of Sacred Music at St. Bart's continues on Sunday, August 12 at 11 am with a service featuring Taverner's Western Wynde Mass.

John Taverner (c. 1490-1545) is regarded as the most important English composer of the early Renaissance. He was appointed as the first Organist and Master of the Choristers for Christ Church in Oxford in 1526, the choral foundation of which exists to this very day. His Western Wynde Mass, based on a sixteenth century popular song, is unique in this period because the theme appears in all of the voice parts at different times, as opposed to a cantus firmus mass, where the theme appears in only one voice part. Taverner's motet Quemadmodum in six voices will also be heard.

This event is the second in a series of four Summer Festival services in August featuring the music of the greatest masters of the Renaissance including by Josquin, Taverner, Lassus and Palestrina.

St. Bartholomew's Choir will be conducted by William K. Trafka.

The Summer Festival of Sacred Music takes place each Sunday morning at 11 am at St. Bartholomew's Church during the summer months. At a time when most churches reduce their musical offerings, St. Bartholomew's Church provides outstanding sacred music sung by St. Bartholomew's Choir and Boy and Girl Choristers, two of New York City's most renowned choirs. Works include an array of mass settings from the 15th century to the present embracing a diversity of cultures from around the world. The music is sung as part of the 11 am service, the liturgical context for which it was composed. All Summer Festival events are free and open to the public.

The Summer Festival of Sacred Music takes place at St. Bart's, located at the corner of Park Avenue and 51st Street. Subway: 6 to 51st Street. For more information, call (212) 378-0222 or visit the website for the complete schedule.