2007 was the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Edgecumbe Choir and one of the ways in which the Choir celebrated the occasion was the commissioning of a Choral Work.
This was widely advertised in 2006 and 2007 and drew 37 entries which were considered by the judges, Karen Grylls, ONZM, Associate-Professor of Music at
Commissions can be problematic. Firstly, concert goers might simply not enjoy the piece, despite its technical brilliance. It’s akin to a brave new piece of architecture or modern art. You love it or hate it. And secondly, there are no bench marks from previous recordings so its performance is to some extent up to interpretation, unless of course the composer is instrumental in its debut performance.
Neither of these fears transpired on Sunday, when the winning commission had its second performance by the Edgecumbe Choir.
The work, titled ‘Jubilate Deo’ by Andrew Baldwin was very well received.’ Jubilate Deo is Latin for ‘O be joyful in the Lord’ and what a happy, bright and joyful piece this was.
Twenty one year old Andrew, a third-year Bachelor of Music Student, majoring in composition at the New Zealand School of Music, in
His presence at the premier of his work was very much an active one with Andrew providing accompaniment on the Xylophone along with Olga Stancliff on the Piano.
Although relatively short and under ten minutes in length, the piece was perfect for a professional provincial choir. All 54 members of the Edgecumbe Choir and Conductor Tony Hogg rose to the occasion on Sunday, and gave this piece a performance well worth its inaugural outing. I do hope that other choirs can embark on a similar undertaking, and provide such additions to the
“The Armed Man – A Mass for Peace” by Karl Jenkins provided the second part of the concert programme. This piece received its world première in April 2000 at
Sunday’s performance was just as stirring. The Mass is a very poignant work, dramatic, with beautiful melodies. It is a modern piece yet the inclusion of the traditional elements of the Latin Mass – The Kyrie, Sanctus, Agnus Dei and Benedictus seem to cleanse the very loud and frightening percussion segments.
This mass is an emotional journey, its use of various languages and the inclusion of a Muslim call to prayer makes it truly international. Fear, pride, anguish, sadness, heroism, passion, tragedy, pain and despair have no borders.
One has feelings of “where have I heard this before?” The music elicits those feelings we have from the ever increasing documentaries of human warfare and misery, providing the sombre and sorrowful setting associated with the all too present scenes the mass media delivers to us in our lounges.
The choir was stunning as were the accompanists. The planned cello player was on Friday unavailable, a potential disaster, yet the two last minute stand-ins, Eddie King and Tamsen Kreynberg were outstanding with their sympathy to the piece, their precision and feeling.
The accompanying musicians supporting the choir deserve a special mention. Christine Martin for the excellent execution of the very difficult and beautiful piccolo solo. The percussionists, Alexa Halvorsen, Ian Wilson and Vince Clark, for providing moments which regularly lifted the people in front of us out of their seats. Our own Sandy Herewini and Maurice Reid who trumpet playing was flawless and exactly suited the tone of the mass. Maurice’s rendition of the Last Post was especially poignant. Olga Stancliff on the piano and Anne Cleaver on the organ completed the ensemble beautifully.
All nine members of the orchestra made this a truly moving performance.
The physical staging of the choir and their location in the
I am full of praise for the choir, conductor Tony Hogg and the accompanists. This was a brave undertaking and all who attended were well rewarded.
Gemini