9th Great Year: Following the popular success of Christmas Concerts by candlelight in Durham Cathedral, Hexham Abbey and some of the north’s finest churches, AM Live has pleasure in announcing its Christmas Candlelit Concert Tour, 2009.

The English Philharmonic Ensemble, conducted by David Haslam, and the The Singers (director: Donald Halliday) will be appearing at St. Cuthbert’s Church, Carlisle, Hexham Abbey and St. George’s Church, Jesmond.

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 this year begins with Torelli’s lovely “Christmas Concerto” followed by the celebratory sound of the trumpet in John Humphries “Trumpet Concert in D” played by Anthony Thompson. The “Lamb” by Tavener for unaccompanied choir is followed by the evocative piece “Gabriel’s Oboe” by Morricone from the film The Mission played by oboist Phillip Cull. Three special pieces for unaccompanied choir precede a bracing performance of “Winter” from Vivaldi’s “The Seasons” solist Oliver Heath to conclude the first half.

The second half opens with a performance of a new work by David Haslam, “Gloria”, followed by the famous “Bach Double” for 2 violins & orchestra in D Minor. As usual carols for choir, audience and orchestra, plus a Christmas selection of favourite music from Handel’s uplifting masterpiece ‘‘The Messiah’’ concludes this Candlelit Christmas Concert.