Our last concert was on a proper Johannesburg winter’s day – it started with rain, freezing temperatures and cold winds; enough to make one miserable – but luckily, we had a concert which cheered up us all and warmed everyone’s heart. The concert with the beautiful and uplifting music by John Rutter was a great success. Unfortunately – but as with all winter concerts – the hall was not full (Jo’burgers are not keen to leave the warm comfort of their homes during winter) but those who braved the elements were treated to an afternoon of glorious music.
John Rutter is a master of writing for our special instrument – the voice! His music is so very ‘singable’ – and although it might sound easy to the ear and look easy to the eye it is full of expression, emotion and tension. A true master! Shortly after the concert (but – no, not because of it!), it was announced that John Rutter was on King Charles’ honours list for his contribution to music! Need I say more!
Our next concert features one of the greatest German composers: Ludwig van Beethoven – plus a perhaps not so well known one: Anton Bruckner. A perfect way to hear a work in a well-known idiom and to get acquainted with something in a different one. We’ll be performing:
Ludwig van Beethoven’s Mass in c major
&
Anton Bruckner’s Te deum
Sunday 13 October @ 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Linder Auditorium, Parktown, Johannesburg
The Phoenix Orchestra
Soloists: Khayakazi Madlala (S), Bongi Mcetywa (A), Thomas Erlank (T), Aubrey Lodewyk (B)
Under the baton of Richard Cock
Beethoven composed the Mass in C major, to a commission from Prince Nikolaus Esterházy II in 1807. The mass, scored for four vocal soloists, choir and orchestra, was premiered that year by the Prince’s musical forces in Eisenstadt. Both the Prince and contemporary critic E. T. A. Hoffmann were generally displeased by the work, though the latter still considered it “entirely worthy of the great master because of its inner structure and intelligent orchestration”. The work has since been overshadowed by the later and better known Missa solemnis, though critics such as Michael Moore have noted the Mass in C major’s superiority in “directness and emotional content”.
Bruckner started work on his Te Deum from 3 to 17 May 1881, when he was finalising his Symphony No. 6. After finishing his next Symphony No. 7, Bruckner resumed work on his Te Deum on 28 September 1883. The vocal and orchestral score was completed on 7 March 1884. The ad lib. organ part was added on a separate score on 16 March 1884. The Te Deum was premiered in the Kleiner Musikvereinssaal in Vienna on 2 May 1885, with two pianos substituting for the orchestra. Hans Richter conducted the first performance with full orchestra on 10 January 1886 in the Großer Musikvereinssaal in Vienna.
Booking is through Quicket – just use this link
We look forward to seeing you at this fabulous concert.
Yours sincerely, on behalf of the Symphony Choir of Johannesburg,
Kate Pape