Judaism, Christianity and Islam share a rich history. Each tradition has found its own way to express humanity's journey through the darkness towards the light, a journey that is also reflected in nature: the dying of life in autumn, the deep darkness of winter, and the first signs of new light as spring approaches.

Each of these three religious traditions has influenced and inspired the others in many positive ways, but religious differences have also led to war and times of great suffering.

In this concert, we walk the journey from the dying of the light, through the darkness, and towards the new light of hope, in music and ritual. We draw on all three traditions to highlight humanity's shared narrative and the connection between us. Chants by the 12th-century mystic and abbess Hildegard von Bingen stand alongside secular Yiddish songs, and Sufi melodies from mystical Islam.

No other medieval composer has captured the public imagination quite as much as the famous 12th century abbess, Hildegard von Bingen, who was a visionary, mystic, political correspondent, healer and musician. Ensemble Caldemia takes an authentic approach to interpreting Hildegard's music, remaining faithful to the original notation of her liturgical chants, and also places her songs in a 21st-century context by performing new works inspired by her that enrich and envelop her music and poetry. The concert has been specially designed to bring to life the venue and its particular acoustics. The five-voice Ensemble Caldemia is accompanied by cellists Harmen Goossens and Christoph Bunzendahl, who add works by Bela Bartók and Arvo Pärt to this programme.