REMEMBERING through music has shaped The Ebor Singers’ 2018 concerts, the latest being Songs Of Remembrance on Saturday in the Chapter House at York Minster.

The 7.30pm programme focuses on such songs in different guises through the 17th century, with funeral music from England by Morley and France by Charpentier; eulogies to kings and princes of England by Tomkins and Jeffreys and Germany by Schütz, plus Old Testament laments of Jeremiah and David by Couperin and Carissimi. At the same time the York singers celebrate the 350th anniversary of Francois Couperin’s birth in 1668 with his "stunning" Troisième Leçon de Ténèbres.

Paul Gameson, the choir’s director, says: "Loss or grief has always encouraged composers to use expressive musical language, and particularly during the 17th century, when a new style closely aligned to speech and emotions was developing."

In the choir’s sweeping glance at the changing musical landscape, the influence of Roman composer Giaccomo Carissimi (1605-74) features heavily. "Couperin is perhaps better known for his keyboard music, but his sequence of Leçons de Ténèbres forms one of the masterpieces of the Baroque," says Gameson.

"Although Couperin’s Leçons were heard as part of services for Holy Week, their performance was almost seen as a red-carpet event, with soloists from the opera and attended by anyone of social standing. Couperin did not disappoint the singers or listeners with his work."

Tickets cost £15, concessions £12, students £5, at yorkminster.org or on the door. Looking ahead, the choir's October programme will focus on the First World War with more details to follow.