Christ Church has been a home to musical excellence since its foundation. One of its earliest employees was John Taverner, appointed in 1525 as the first Informator choristarum (instructor of the choristers). He quickly established himself as a composer of national significance, and his music survived the strictures of the Reformation to be copied even a century after its composition. More recently, Taverner and his music inspired Peter Maxwell Davies in the composition of orchestral pieces and an opera.

Find out about John Taverner: a panel of distinguished scholars give illustrated talks to introduce and discuss his life, his work, his legacy.

Registration includes refreshments (not lunch)

Programme:

• 13:30: Registration and exhibition viewing
• 14:00: Welcome
• 14.15: Session One

Magnus Williamson (Newcastle University) – Taverner of BostonKerry McCarthy (Independent Scholar) – Taverner, Wolsey, and the art of musical patronageAndrew Hope (Independent Scholar) – Taverner and the Oxford ‘Lutherans’ in the 1520sDavid Skinner (Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge) – John Taverner and the Sounds of Reformation

Lay clerks of Christ Church Cathedral Choir directed by Peter Holder, selected works by John Taverner.

• 16:00: Break
• 16:30: Session Two

David Maw (Christ Church, Oxford) – ‘not unlike a confused singing of birds’: Taverner’s instrumental legacyNicholas Jones (Cardiff University) – Maxwell-Davies and Taverner

• Questions and answers with panel discussion.