12th Great Year: Following the popular success of Christmas Concerts by candlelight in Durham Cathedral, Hexham Abbey and some of the north’s finest churches, English Philharmonic Orchestra has pleasure in announcing its Christmas Candlelit Concert Tour, 2012.

The English Philharmonic Ensemble, conducted by David Haslam, and the The Singers (director Donald Halliday) will be appearing at Hexham Abbey, St. Cuthbert’s Church Carlisle and St. George’s Church Jesmond Newcastle. The Beverley Singers (Director Alan Spedding) will join the Ensemble on the 15 December at the spectacular Beverley Minster.

Seasonal warmth: A special atmosphere pervades these friendly concerts with the twinkling magic of candlelight, the glorious music and the heightened intimacy between musicians and audience, not least during the enjoyment of mulled wine and mince pies at the interval.

Our programme for this 12th year begins with Corelli’s lovely “Christmas Concerto” followed by the celebratory sound of Torelli’s trumpet concerto with soloist Anthony Thompson. Three special Christmas pieces for unaccompanied choir are followed by Morricone’s beautiful piece “Gabriel’s Oboe” the first half concludes with a performance of ‘Winter’ from Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons” played by Tristan Guerney, (Leader of The Edinburgh String Quartet.)

The second half opens with ‘Kyrie and Gloria’ by David Haslam, for orchestra choir & soprano solo sung by Suzanne Manuel, followed by Handel - Tarkman Concerto for cor anglaise & flute with soloists Philip Cull and David Haslam. Three pieces for unaccompanied choir and two carols for audience and orchestra precede Adam’s famous ‘O Holy Night’ sung by Suzanne Manuel. Our Christmas selection of favourite music from Handel’s “Messiah’’ concludes this Candlelit Christmas Concert.