Nicholas White
Director
Tiffany Consort was founded in 2003 to bring together several of New York's finest singers with the intention of presenting virtuosic choral music from all periods, one voice to a part, under the direction of Nicholas White. The group takes its name from Louis Comfort Tiffany, the American art-nouveau stained glass artist (1848-1933). While the core of the ensemble is eight singers – all soloists in their own right – the number of performers can vary according to the specific repertoire to be performed. For the upcoming 2007-2008 season, Tiffany Consort is planning three concerts in the superb surroundings of Holy Trinity Catholic Church on 82nd Street, between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue in New York City. Performances of these programs will also take place in Texas, New York State and Connecticut.
The 2007–2008 season will feature major works by Palestrina, Schütz, Bach, Scarlatti, Britten, Duruflé and Nicholas White, along with Renaissance Motets by Byrd, Tallis and Victoria, Anglican Choral Gems by Harris, Howells, Naylor, Parry and Stanford, and Traditional Folk Songs and Spirituals.
Tiffany Consort made its much-praised début in two concerts, featuring the complete motets of Johann Sebastian Bach, in March of 2003. This highly successful program was repeated in February of 2006. In addition to the trademark performing style of one voice to a part, the group's main interest lies in juxtaposing works of Medieval and Renaissance composers with those of more recent composers. Programs have included compositions by Byrd & Britten, Palestrina & Scarlatti, Schütz & Brahms, Machaut & Poulenc and Tallis & Tippett. According to The New York Times, reviewing the December 2004 performance of Monteverdi's Vespers of 1610, "These musicians conveyed the depth of spirit and the sheer visceral appeal of this magnificent score."
The first commercial recording of the Tiffany Consort, a CD entitled "O Magnum Mysterium" (MSR Label) was released in the Fall of 2004, and received a 2006 Grammy nomination. This recording features music from Victoria, Byrd and Palestrina to Poulenc, Lauridsen and White. Tiffany Consort's next CD, "In Sure and Certain Hope: Choral Music of Nicholas White", was released in December 2006.