A thoroughly
enjoyable mixed bag of musical treats. (Review by Keith Millar)
The seventh and
penultimate recital of the Baroque 2000 ensemble’s 2015 Concert Series took
place at the hallowed Marianhill Church of the Monastery last Sunday morning.
As one has come to
expect from Baroque 2000, the concert proved to be an entertaining and
enjoyable occasion of fine baroque music and exceptional musicianship.
According to the
Roman Catholic calander November 22 is St Cecelia’s day. So, as she is the
patron saint of musicians, this added a little more spice to the occasion.
Performing with the
Baroque 2000 ensemble at this concert was the Odeion Vocal Consort from
Bloemfontein. After their successful visit in October last year to perform
Dietrich Buxtehude’s Latin Cantata Membra
Jesu nostri it was a pleasure to welcome this excellent group of singers
back to Marianhill. Their presence certainly attracted a-fair sized audience to
the event.
All the members of
the Consort are senior choristers of the Odeion Choir of the University of the
Free State. They are sopranos Zani Ludick and Maryke Smit, alto Ilané van Wyk,
tenor and director Lance Philip and bass Werner Stander. Accompanying them on
the organ – or rather a keyboard which was as close a reproduction of a pipe
organ sound as you could get - was Laurie Coetzee.
The Consort was in
fine voice. Singing with passion, and expressing superb musical control,
elegance and blending, they had the audience on their feet and shouting for
more.
They contributed
three items to the programme. Starting off with Henry Purcell’s anthem Remember Not, Lord, they moved on to the
joyous and dancelike Magnificat by an
anonymous composer.
The final item
which they performed, this time along with the Baroque 2000 ensemble, was the
German/Danish composer Dietrich Buxtehude’s cantata Herzlichliebhabdich, oh Herr which translates to From my heart I hold you dear, oh Lord.
This is regarded as one of the most significant large-scale works of its kind
written in the 17th century. It is significant that the stringed
instuments are not there as accompaniment in the cantata, but have parts that
are fully independent to those of the singers. It was an inspiring and richly
textured performance from all the participants.
Also on the
programme was the fast moving and lyrical Concerto No. 9, Op 5 in E Minor by
Italian composer Tomaso Albinoni. Next was Fantasia
upon One Note by Henry Purcell. Purcell is regarded by some as England’s
greatest ever composer.What is significant in this Fantasia is that the middle voice drones on the note C throughout
the piece.
The final
instrumental work featured was the plaintive lament Balletti Lamentabili a 4 by Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber. Biber is
regarded as one of the most important composers for the violin in the history
of the instrument.
This Baroque 2000
concert provided a thoroughly enjoyable, mixed bag of musical treats. The next,
and final concert of the year, takes place on December 20 at 11h00 at the
Marianhill Church of the Monastery. Don’t miss it!
Tickets are R120 at
the door or contact Michel on 031 312 5539 or 0823035241, or e-mail sursouth@iafrica.com
There is ample and safe parking
available. – Keith Millar
Baroque 2000 is sponsored by Die Rupert
Musiekstigting
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