Winter Gloria: Vivaldi & Mozart

Vivaldi’s famous Gloria concludes a concert by the CBS Orchestra and Chorale in the Catholic Pro-Cathedral at 2 pm on Sunday, 11 June. Natalia M. Lomeiko leads the orchestra, and musical director is Don Whelan. Programme admission prices will be $25 and $20.

The concert begins with a rarely performed Vivaldi Kyrie for two choirs and two orchestras, written to exploit the Venetian preference for spatially divided musical groups both in the central Basilica of St Mark and local convents and churches. This work would have been first heard in an orphanage for girls, with singers and players shielded from public gaze. The Ospedale Della Pieta, was internationally renowned for its instrumental and choral music, particularly because of the “red priest” who worked there for thirty years as music teacher and composer. In this typical work, the opposed forces progress from agonizing painful clashes through a joyful duet to a masterful fugal finale.

Winter, from Vivaldi’s Four Seasons will bring a musical chill into the well heated Pro-Cathedral, with string effects of feet stamping and teeth chattering, and blasts of “horrid wind” from the solo violin, played for each of this year’s Seasons by Henry Nicholson, a young UC masters graduate in conducting and violin. The original sonnet concludes: “This is winter – but despite all, what joy it brings!”

The CBS Orchestra continues its presentation of Mozart’s last masterpieces with a performance of his “Linz” Symphony No. 36. Written in an astonishing four days at the insistence of his ducal host in Linz, it has become one of his most admired works. While the formal structure is indebted to Haydn, his “most dear friend”, there are elegant tunes recalling his new wife’s recent soprano solos in Salzburg, explosive effects from his recent Turkish opera, a stately minuet, and a whirling finale with all the impetus and fun of a country dance.

The Gloria is Vivaldi’s most famous composition, and encompasses a wide range of styles and moods: from the brilliance of the opening and closing movements to the wistful second movement, and a range of beautiful arias calculated to display the vocal prowess of the young ladies of the Ospedale. For this performance, the soloists will be Nicola Holt and Helen Acheson.

CBS Music continues its popular Lunch Plus Wednesday At One recital series, and another Christchurch Choral Festival is planned for August 13, at 2 pm. The customary Haydn concert on 10 September will couple Symphony 95 with his glorious Nelson Mass. An orchestral concert on 12 November will include another Bach Cantata: No.137 “Lobe den Herren”, centred on the familiar hymn Praise To The Lord! The annual Messiah will be presented at 1.30 pm on Sunday, 10 December, and the CBS musical year will conclude with Dvorak’s Mass in D at the Christmas Midnight Mass.

The cathedral choir musicians maintain an extensive repertoire of masses and motets, sung each Sunday at the 11 a.m. Solemn Choral Mass. New members are welcome to the 7.30 pm Wednesday evening rehearsal at the Catholic Pro-Cathedral. Sight reading ability is expected. Those interested are invited to contact the CBS Musical Director, Don Whelan, phone 358-5873.