The Choir Of St James In Melbourne – A Requiem For Anzac Day

The Consort of Melbourne and the Choir of St James’ King Street, Sydney join forces in Melbourne to present A Requiem for Anzac Day, the centrepiece of which will be Brahms Ein deutsches Requiem (A German Requiem).

Under the direction of Warren Trevelyan-Jones, the ensembles continue their concert series War & Peace with motets by Schütz and JS Bach accompanying Brahms’ masterpiece.

Inspired in part by the death of his mother, and dedicated to her, Brahms’ ‘German Requiem’ gains its title from because unusually, the music is not set to the traditional Latin liturgical text. Indeed Brahms said, ‘I will admit that I could happily omit the “German” and simply say “Human”…’. It draws greatly on biblical texts and demonstrates a beautiful lyricism as well as a deeply Romantic sensibility. Originally scored for orchestra, it will be performed with Brahms’ reduction for four hands on two pianos, of which Clara Schumann greatly approved.

Schütz’s Geistliche Chormusik demonstrates Schütz’s mastery of polyphony and dissonance in his native language. Having studied with Gabrieli, he wrote prolifically in Italian as well. 

Bach’s motet Komm, Jesu, komm is an eight part funeral motet which reflects a person at the end of their life the contemplation this brings. Along with Beethoven and (Robert) Schumann, Schütz and Bach had a huge influence on Brahms’ writing.

The Consort of Melbourne is a professional chamber vocal ensemble that is inspired by the finest European vocal traditions and an Australian verve and artistic breadth.  The Consort has presented a regular concert series in the Melbourne Recital Centre for many years, and has also been invited to collaborate with groups such as the Kronos Quartet, Australian Chamber Orchestra, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Australian Youth Orchestra, Melbourne Youth Orchestra, the Song Company and La Compañia.

Based at Sydney’s oldest church, The Choir of St James’ is one of Australia’s foremost choirs and has an excellent reputation at home and abroad. Director Warren Trevelyan-Jones has sung with many of Europe’s best vocal ensembles, including The Tallis Scholars and The Sixteen. 

PROGRAMME

SCHÜTZ   Selig sind die Toten; Wie lieblich sind deine Wohnungen (Psalm 84)

BACH        Komm, Jesu, komm

 Interval 

BRAHMS    Ein deutsches Requiem 

Soprano Jennifer Cook/ Baritone Nicholas Dinopoulos/Pianists Timothy Young & Anna Carson

 TICKETS: $28/$38 – to book call (03) 9699 3333, visit http://www.melbournerecital.com.au/thecom/ or at the door.