Suite Summer Songs

A fun-filled set of Five Summer Songs for orchestra and harpsichord, written and conducted by Christchurch composer Chris Adams, will be presented by the CBS Orchestra and Chorale in the Catholic Pro-Cathedral at 2 pm on Sunday, 11 February, 2024. Natalia M. Lomeiko leads the orchestra, and musical director is Don Whelan. Programme admission prices will be $25 and $20.

The concert begins with two substantial works by J.S. Bach. His Suite No. 2 In B Minor was written for a student society which gave regular concerts at a Leipzig coffee-house. The set of string dances feature a solo flute, played by Elvira Dommisse, and conclude with the well-known whirling Badinerie. The orchestra will then be joined by the CBS Chorale, which was formed last year, particularly to bring to life masterpieces by Bach which have not been heard in this city. In 2024, 2 cantatas will be followed by the mighty Mass in B Minor.

Cantata No.4 threads a poignant chorale melody through five choral variations which illustrate each verse of the hymn: Christ Jesus lay in death’s strong bands, penned by Martin Luther, and based on a Catholic Easter melody. First written when Bach was 22, he proudly revived it during his Leipzig tenure. It has been praised through the centuries as one of his greatest and most expressive compositions and is remarkable for the prominence of the tune throughout. To encourage familiarity, the audience will be invited to join in singing the hymn.

Handel’s organ concertos were written as interludes for the oratorios which he invented for London’s newly opened Covent Garden theatre. Locked in rivalry with another company boasting the castrato Farinelli, Handel attracted star status when he appeared on the Covent Garden stage at a small pipe organ, which also provided effects during the operas. Organ Concerto Op.4 No.3 is typical of these charming pieces, many of which recycled earlier compositions like the trio sonata which reappears in this concerto as a spirited dialogue between solo violin and cello. The soloist for this concerto will be Gabriel Baird, and the conductor will be Henry Nicholson.

Composer anniversaries for 2024 will be marked by Bruckner’s evocative Locus Iste, and the haunting Fauré Cantique de Jean Racine, to be conducted by Matthew Harris.

From March, CBS Music continues its popular Lunch Plus Wednesday At One recital series, with details of each weekly artist posted on the web. The annual Messiah will be presented at 1.30 pm on Sunday, 1 December, and the CBS musical year will conclude with Bruckner’s Mass in D Minor 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.