After 32 years of worldwide performance and recording, The Sixteen is recognised as one of the world’s greatest ensembles. Comprising both choir and period-instrument orchestra, The Sixteen’s total commitment to the music it performs is its greatest distinction. A special reputation for performing early English polyphony, masterpieces of the Renaissance, bringing fresh insights into Baroque and early Classical music and a diversity of 20th-century music, is drawn from the passions of conductor and founder Harry Christophers. In 2009 the group was awarded the Classic FM Gramophone “Artist of the Year” award [the only ensemble in the award’s history to ever win this category]. 

Over one hundred recordings reflect The Sixteen’s quality in a range of work spanning the music of five hundred years, winning many awards including Grand Prix du Disque, numerous Schallplattenkritik, the coveted Gramophone Award for “Early Music”, a Classical Brit Award and Classic FM Gramophone Baroque Vocal Award for their recording of Handel’s Coronation Anthems.

Since 2001 The Sixteen has been building its own record label, CORO, which now boasts over 100 titles. Recent recordings include 'The Earth Resounds' featuring music by  Josquin, Brumel and Lassus, the first volume in a new series celebrating Palestrina and the second volume in the Monteverdi Selva morale e spirituale series. Best sellers include Allegri's Miserere, Handel's Messiah and Tallis's Spem in Alium. In 2010 CORO DVD was launched to release the BBC’s groundbreaking Sacred Music programmes on DVD.

For more information on The Sixteen and to purchase CDs visit www.thesixteen.com

Gareth Glyn was born in Machynlleth, mid-Wales, in 1951, but has lived since 1978 on Anglesey, an island whose history, mythology and landscape have been important influences on his work as a composer, as has his Welsh identity.

His works were first broadcast by the British Broadcasting Corporation while he was studying music at Merton College, Oxford.

His compositions have been commissioned and played by eminent orchestras and ensembles and bands, including the London Symphony Orchestra, the BBC Concert Orchestra, the North Carolina Symphony, The BBC Scottish Orchestra, the Strasbourg Philharmonic, the Ulster Orchestra, the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, I Musici de Montréal and the Royal Ballet Sinfonia, and soloists including Bryn Terfel, Catrin Finch and Charlotte Church.

His many works for choirs of all kinds are sung all over the world, and he is particularly eminent in the field of male voice choirs – his Clychau’r Gog/Bluebells recently went into its 4th printing, and Heriwn, Wynebwn y Wawr/The Future’s Beginning Today is widely regarded as one of the best original Welsh choral pieces of the last fifty years.

His output includes orchestral, chamber, solo instrumental and vocal works, musicals, songs and song-cycles for professionals, amateurs and children, music for brass band and large-scale works for orchestra, narrators, actors and audience-participation; he has worked widely with leading orchestras in many parts of the world providing specialist works like EGAD! and Strings on the Wing, which can be performed by players of many different abilities simultaneously – from absolute beginners to concert soloists.

Gareth Glyn’s work is widely published (Spartan, Gwynn, Curiad, Adlais, Alaw, Chanterelle) and recorded (principally on ASV/Universal, Sain and Laserlight).

Gareth Glyn received an Honorary Fellowship from Bangor University, and the rank of Honorary Druid in the National Eisteddfod’s Gorsedd of Bards, for his services to music in Wales.

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