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| Photo: Ian Thomson December 2023 |
Darkness and Light
Saturday 12 April, 7:30 pm
Knox Church
We present an unforgettable evening of choral brilliance weaving together timeless and contemporary works. This music offers a transcendent journey through the dualities of the human experience, to illuminate your soul and remind you of the enduring power of music that guides us through life’s contrasts—from shadow to brilliance, from doubt to hope.
Thomas Tallis: O Nata Lux
James MacMillan: O Radiant Dawn
Louis Vierne: Clair de Lune (organ solo)
Morten Lauridsen: Lux Aeterna
Chris Artley: Matariki
Ola Gjeilo: Dark Night of the Soul
Kerensa Briggs: Light in Darkness (organ solo)
Ola Gjeilo: Luminous Night of the Soul
The conductor is the Choir’s musical director, David Burchell, and the singers will be accompanied by Sandra Crawshaw on piano, a string quartet and the brilliant young musician, Sea-am Thompson, on the organ. The string quartet consists of acclaimed DSO players: Tessa Petersen (first violin), Ngaru Martin (second violin), Katrina Sharples (viola) and Heleen du Plessis (cello).
Zimbe! African Folk with a Jazz Twist
Saturday 12 July, 7:00 pm
Knox Church
Zimbe! Come, Sing the Songs of Africa! is a sequence of traditional songs from all over Africa. This exhilarating contemporary choral work, composed by Alexander L’Estrange, brings together soulful melodies, energetic rhythms and infectious harmonies that showcase the rich musical traditions of Africa.
This performance featured a Jazz Quintet and the Dunedin Children’s Choir. The conductor was City Choir’s musical director, David Burchell, and the jazz musicians were Bill Martin (piano), Nick Cornish (saxophone), Andy Lynch (bass), Carl Woodward (drums) and Alex Burchell (percussion).
Other items on the programme included the a cappella works The Word Was God by Rosephanye Powell, and Three Spirituals by David Hamilton.
Perfect for all ages, this concert created a powerful and uplifting experience, being transported by the joyful spirit of Zimbe! —music that leaves your heart singing and your feet tapping!
Saturday 13 September, 7:30 pm
Dunedin Town Hall
Presented by Dunedin Symphony Orchestra
City Choir will join the Dunedin Symphony Orchestra and soprano Anna Leese on stage in this performance conducted by James Judd. Poulenc’s Gloria, written in 1959 and inspired by the death of a friend, is a captivating mixture of solemnity and mischievous exuberance.
Handel's Messiah
Saturday 29 November, 7:30 pm
Dunedin Town Hall
City Choir and soloists, accompanied by the Dunedin Symphony Orchestra, once again present the popular Messiah. The ‘Hallelujah’ chorus, the work’s most famous moment, has become a musical icon of joy and praise. Yet, throughout Messiah, Handel’s genius lies in his ability to pair deeply expressive text with music that conveys both the grandeur and intimacy of faith.
