This weekend, Nigel Short, conductor of Tenebrae choir, launches a new festival of music for Holy Week at London's St John's Smith Square which explores the music written for the week's liturgy through concerts, workshops and services.

For the latest Gramophone Podcast, he talked to Gramophone's Editor Martin Cullingford about why the music written for Holy Week has such extraordinary power, and his vision for engaging audiences in this most dramatic of spiritual journeys. Excerpts are taken from Tenebrae's recording of Victoria's Tenebrae Responsories, available on Signum Classics. 

Listen to the Podcast below, or click here to download this and other Gramophone Podcasts from iTunes

For more information about the festival, which features ensembles including the BBC Singers, The Hanover Band, Alamire and of course Tenebrae itself, visit St John's Smith Square's website.  

Homepage photo: Jérôme Prébois