Heavenly Haydn
Three of Haydn’s musical masterpieces were presented by the CBS Choir and Orchestra at 7.30 pm on Saturday, September 24, in St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral, 373 Manchester St. His Symphony 99 was a sensational success when it opened his last six London Symphonies, both for its originality and wit, and daring to feature clarinets for the first time in a symphony.
The cathedral choir joined the orchestra for Haydn’s magnificent Te Deum, the traditional song of thanksgiving requested by Empress Marie Therese and marking the beginning of the nineteenth century. One of Haydn’s powerful supporters, the Empress sang privately to him, and her name has been immortalized in the Theresienmesse, which will crown the concert. This was the fourth of the six great Masses he wrote at the end of his life, showing all his symphonic skill.
To mark the 90th birthday this year of Christchurch composer John Ritchie, the concert begann with his varied and colourful Missa Corpus Christi, written in 1996 for the CBS musicians, and taken with the Theresienmesse on their third European tour in 2000, where it attracted much interest and enthusiasm from cathedral audiences.
Soloists included Elizabeth Emeleus, Stephanie Waterhouse, Melanie Williams, Wally Enright and Chris Whelan. David Williams led the orchestra, and musical director was Don Whelan.
Based now at St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral, Manchester Street, the cathedral musicians maintain an extensive repertoire of masses and motets, sung each Sunday at the 10.30 a.m. Solemn Choral Mass. New members are welcome to the 7.30 pm Wednesday evening rehearsal at Christchurch Boys’ High School. Sight reading ability is expected. Scholarships and awards, worth up to $2000 per year, are available to suitable applicants. Those interested are invited to contact the CBS Musical Director, Don Whelan, phone 358-5873.
Preparations are underway for a sixth international tour, from the end of September till mid-October next year, to include Hong Kong, Beijing, Seoul, Nagasaki, Hiroshima, Kyoto and Tokyo. After four European tours and travel throughout the Americas, the CBS musicians are keen to explore connections with these cities, where local cathedrals have pledged support for our rebuilding efforts, and are offering a receptive welcome for our concerts and Masses. This will be a wonderful opportunity for performers and supporters to experience the special insights and opportunities for sightseeing of a CBS Tour. Those interested should contact the CBS Administrator, Ruth Close, phone 377 4999 - email closeruth@yahoo.co.nz |
