Beginning in the 15th century in the Netherlands and France, with the early Renaissance composers Richafort and Ockeghem's settings of Marian texts, this concert brings the audience on a journey through time and around the world, exploring settings of Christian texts used in prayer and worship over the last 600 years.

A setting of the Magnificat by Charles Theodore Pachelbel (Johann Pachelbel’s son), who emigrated to America, and the first American choral composer, William Billings’ adaptation of Psalm 148, sit alongside "Ehre sei Gott in der Höhe" (Glory to God in the highest), a psalm setting by the German composer Felix Mendelssohn.

Contrasting versions of the religious texts “O Magnum Mysterium” (O great mystery) and “Drop, Drop Slow Tears” allow the audience to hear interpretations by Poulenc, Busto, Gibbons and Walton.

Weelkes setting of “When David Heard" is an emotionally charged and powerful lament. New Zealand composers featured include Douglas Mews' "A Sound Came from Heaven", John Wells' "Laudate Dominum", and Chris Adams' "Adoramus te".