Sydney Philharmonia Choirs’ big Easter show
Two hundred voices placed around the darkened auditorium created a musical sensurround effect at Sydney Philharmonia Choirs’ uplifting Easter concert.
Wentworth Courier
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Two hundred voices placed at strategic points around the auditorium created a musical sensurround effect to usher in Sydney Philharmonia Choirs’ uplifting Easter concert at Sydney Opera House.
Two choirs — German guests Capella St Crucis Hannover and the Chamber Singers — were deployed on the stage and in the stalls below the organ loft, with choirs each side of the circle and a further group at the very back of the hall for the premiere of a new work.
The specially commissioned XLX Mente cordis sui by English composer Antony Pitts, who was in the audience, was based on a short passage from Bach’s Magnificat containing the phrase “he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts”.
Added to that are some verses from Revelations and a musical nod to both the Bach original and Thomas Tallis’s motet Spem in alium.
INTIMACY
Pitts’ score for 50 parts is so large it had to be printed on special paper, but SPC director Brett Weymark managed to keep a tight control of his scattered forces from the podium.
At times individual voices would cut through the wash of chords creating a sense of intimacy and melting beauty.
It made the perfect segue to Bach’s Magnificat which followed. The three trumpets of the Philharmonia Orchestra, led by David Johnson, lent a regal splendour to the opening section, with some impeccable solo oboe from Ngaire de Korte.
The performance featured a fine array of vocal soloists, and a particular highlight was the trio by sopranos Sarah Macliver and Anna Dowsley and counter tenor Nicholas Tolputt.
Baritone David Greco never fails to impress and he was in terrific form for his solos in this and the following work, Mozart’s Mass in C minor.
Tenor Nicholas Jones showed why he has become a mainstay of Opera Australia productions with his sweet, ringing tone and flair for the dramatic.
Weymark conducted the Bach and the Hanover group’s artistic director Florian Lohmann led the Mozart, with Macliver’s radiant voice a feature in the Kyrie eleison opening section.
DETAILS
● CONCERT: Sydney Philharmonia Choirs Bach and Mozart
● WHERE: Sydney Opera House Concert Hall
● WHEN: Saturday, April 20