The EBC presents a programme of choral works that demonstrates the genius of three of the world’s greatest composers.
When Haydn took over complete control of all music-making at the Esterhazy court, including the chapel, he celebrated by writing ‘Stabat Mater’ in 1767. So popular did this piece become that it supplanted even Pergolesi’s earlier setting. Soloists, choir and orchestra all contribute towards a work that is full of beautiful melody, eloquent harmony and a range of emotion that takes us from the despair of ultimate sacrifice to the jubilation of ‘Paradisi gloria’.
The cantatas of JS Bach are wonderfully inventive, and ‘Nach dir, Herr, verlanget mich’ is an outstanding example with some exceptional features. The choir plays an unusually prominent role, as does the bassoon as it frolics around the music for a trio of vocal soloists.
The Offertorium ‘Venite Populi’ by Mozart may be short but it is by no means slight. Scored for double choir and orchestra, an exuberant opening is succeeded by a slower central section full of poignant harmonies. The mood of the opening returns for the finale, and throughout the work the interplay between the eight vocal lines is simply brilliant.