Worthy Is the Lamb
373 Manchester Street, Christchurch
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A joyous Worthy is the Lamb chorus will conclude a concert by the CBS Orchestra and Chorale in the Catholic Pro-Cathedral at 2 pm on Sunday, 17 March, 2024. Natalia M. Lomeiko leads the orchestra, and musical director is Don Whelan. Programme admission prices will be $25 and $20.
Heralded by brass fanfares, the chorus rivals Handel in its splendour. It caps an ascent from sadness to exultation in Bach’s great cantata 21: Ich hatte viel Bekümmernis I had much affliction. The richly varied work for soloists, choir and orchestra embraces churchly fugue and chorale, alongside operatic-style duets and arias. It has long been regarded as the finest of Bach’s cantatas, and widely performed, though perhaps never in Christchurch. Soloists in the evocative arias and duets will be Nicola Holt, Wally Enright and Matthew Harris.
The CBS Chorale was formed last year, particularly to bring to life masterpieces by Bach which have not been heard in this city. In 2024, In February, it presented Cantata 4, Christ Jesus lay in death’s strong bands, and will present on June 9 his magnificent Mass in B Minor.
Mozart’s “Prague” Symphony No. 38 will be the other major work on this programme. Written between two of his best operas, this famous symphony blends the witty whirling tunefulness of Figaro and the dark, brooding menace of Don Giovanni. It takes its name from his visit in 1786 to Prague, where he stayed in the same friendly count’s palace as three years earlier in Linz. The echoes of Figaro which he included in the symphony were ecstatically received by Prague audiences. When the audience clamoured for more than a half-hour of improvisation after its first performance, Mozart gave them a dozen brilliant variations on Non piu andrai, his greatest hit!
The Chorale will mark the Bruckner anniversary year by opening the concert with his evocative motet Os Justi, to be conducted by Matthew Harris.
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.
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