This was an innovative programme which explored various types of choral music from medieval times to the present day.
Linking the periods were settings of the anthem Ave Verum Corpus, beginning with a Gregorian chant version sung as a processional and ending with a very different version by contemporary English composer Tim Knight. Between these there was the 17th century version by Italian Giacomo Carissimi, another by Saint Saens, and the best known version by Mozart.
The Renaissance period began with a composition by King Henry VIII, Pastime with good company, sung with precise rhythmic emphasis and commendable clarity of diction, and climaxed with a lively performance of the madrigal Come, sirrah, Jack, ho! by Thomas Weelkes.
The Baroque era selections began with guest trumpet soloist Jonathan Krebs' strongly projected playing of Trumpet Tune by Jeremiah Clarke and included a similarly lively performance by the choir of part of the Handel coronation anthem The King shall rejoice, marked by an appropriately brilliant edge to the soprano tone.
In the classical era selection, the Schubert Kyrie and the very brief Lebenslust, emphasised the clarity and expressiveness which characterises Linden Singers' performances, but the anthem Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, sounded somewhat uncertain and was perhaps a little slow in tempo.