Showing posts with label Handel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Handel. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Messiah score

Especially for new choir members - note that members are expected to have their own copy of Handel's Messiah since this work is performed every second year. The Watkins Shaw edition is recommended.

Here are some options for sourcing a copy:

Copies of Messiah can be purchased online from: 

Sheetmusicplus
http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/Messiah/907780

Amazon Australia

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Messiah 2007 with Anna Leese

The following is an extract from the review of this performance, by Elizabeth Bouman in the Otago Daily Times:

"Both the Choir and the Sinfonia are a credit to a city of this size and excelled in conquering the demands of this three-hour Baroque marathon.

The 110-strong choir gave energy and full resonant sound for Burchell to draw upon for the big choruses. Setting their sights early in "And the Glory" and "Glory to God", phrasing and articulation were generally good, with passionate voicing. As to be expected the "Hallelujah" chorus was a highlight, rising to a thrilling climax...

I thought the choir was fantastic.

Soloists add the gilding to any oratorio and having Dunedin-trained Anna Leese in the country for a short visit of recitals was a real bonus.

Prolonged applause and footstamping followed the resounding "Amens", and tired but jubilant musicians felt the buzz of completing yet another outstanding delivery of this 1742 masterpiece."

Performance: Handel's Messiah, Dunedin Town Hall, 11 December 2007

Saturday, September 8, 2007

Sublime performance

 Performance: Elgar's Dream of Gerontius, Dunedin Town Hall, 8 September 2007 

The City of Dunedin Choir with members of the Southern Consort of Voices and the St Paul's Cathedral Choir, the Southern Sinfonia, tenor David Hamilton, mezzo-soprano Helen Medlyn and bass David Griffiths, with conductor David Burchell, Dunedin Town Hall. Extract from the review by Elizabeth Bouman in the Otago Daily Times:

"This late Romantic oratorio, written by Edward Elgar in 1900, is challenging for any choir. Saturday's performance was sublime and all credit to organisers for presenting such a grand work in our city."

"Stunning choral sound lifted Praise in the Holiest to great heights, contrasting with subtle shading of the many gentle more restrained passages. The Demon's Chorus was a highlight - rythmically taut and contrastingly vibrant."

"Conductor David Burchell is to be complimented on leading both Choir and Sinfonia successfully through this two-hour journey with unflagging energy, an impressive sense of drama, and sensitivity."