Wanganui's Schola Sacra Choir presents two contrasting choral Mass masterpieces by Faure and Vierne at St Peter's Church on Ruahine Street this Sunday.
Since the earliest times, settings of the Catholic Requiem have provided a flexible and stimulating challenge for composers. In the 19th century, settings tended to be grandioseand operatic and more suited to the concert hall than actual religious practice. Although both Masses being performed were intended for liturgical use, they have become very popular as concert presentations.
Opening the concert, Faure's celebrated Requiem will be accompanied by the Bravo String Quartet from Wellington with Palmerston North-born organist Jonathan Berkahn. Faure's Requiem is an intimate, peaceful, loving and reflective setting. The word "requiem" is set often throughout - appropriately beginning and ending the work. This Requiem was first used at a midday burial service and over the years gradually evolved into the work usually performed today. The setting includes two alternative texts: the lovely solo Pie Jesu sung by Wanganui soprano Rachel Smith. and the last movement In Paradisum. A baritone soloist is also featured in the work, the role taken by Wanganui bass Lex Moodie.
The second Mass setting is Louis Vierne's Messe Solennelle, originally scored for two organs but rearranged for single organ accompaniment. The organ adds contrasting splashy strokes of colour, from grand to reflective, enhancing the exquisite choral writing.
According to Olivier Latry, the organist at Notre Dame who has just performed in New Zealand opening Napier Cathedral's rebuilt organ, Vierne was "a particularly engaging person who was also extremely sensitive in spite of his rather cheeky appearance of a Parisian street-boy". This character was reflected in Vierne's own sensitive and spirited musical works, which became darker and more austere in later years due to the many misfortunes that he suffered.
In 1900, Vierne became one of the 500 candidates for the post at Notre Dame Cathedral of Paris.
He was chosen unanimously by the review committee. Vierne's Messe Solennelle, was premiered at St Sulpice on the feast of the Immaculate Conception, 1901, with Widor at the large west end organ and Vierne playing the organ in the chancel.
Schola Sacra, St Peter's Church, Sunday April 21 at 2pm. Tickets are available through the office at St Andrew's in the City or at the door before the concert.
