Bach Toccata and Fugue in D minor | Bruckner Motets: Ave Maria, Os Justi Meditabitur, Virga Jesse | Bach Concerto for Violin in A minor | Bruckner Mass in D minor
Majestic Bruckner, woefully unsure of himself, worried that his music was insufficient in the eyes of God and the public. He needn’t have worried, his Mass in D minor, pure and spiritually uplifting, was favourably received when he conducted the première, and the inscription on the score ‘Omnia ad majorem Dei gloriam’ – All to the greater glory of God was a clear indication of his intentions. With their reverence and passion, Bruckner’s Motets also express his devout beliefs and are a highly powerful and moving experience.
Both Bach and Bruckner wrote music in honour of God – one within the German Lutheran tradition, the other an Austrian Catholic. Bach often wrote on his manuscripts Soli Deo Gloria – Only for the Glory of God. As an intimate contrast to Bruckner’s intricate musical structures, Andrew Beer and Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra present the richly lyrical Violin Concerto in A minor by Bach. Bruckner, a celebrated organist, admired Bach’s Motets and organ music greatly. The concert begins with one of the most famous pieces of Baroque organ music– with a particularly iconic opening: Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D minor.
Uwe Grodd conductor
Isabella Moore soprano
Sally-Anne Russell mezzo-soprano
Robert Macfarlane tenor
Joel Amosa bass
Andrew Beer violin
Dr Philip Smith organ
Auckland Choral
Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra
Sunday 15 September, 5.00pm
Auckland Town Hall
ticketmaster.co.nz
09 970 9700
Warwick brings over thirty years involvement in choral singing and over twenty years in management of choral organisations including Royal Christchurch Musical Society, Christchurch City Choir and over the last 23 years with Auckland Choral. He is a current singing member and past Chairman of nine years for the group.
My earliest memories of singing were car songs, where my sisters and I were squashed in the back of the car while my mother lead the chorus from the front. I started singing in small groups and choirs at age 12 for church events and friends' weddings. I've been a member of some form of choir ever since and now count myself very lucky to be a member of Auckland Choral. I joined in January 2017, with my first concert being the huge St John Passion by Bach. We performed it at the Holy Trinity Cathedral, in German! Singing out that first loud "Herr" gave me goose bumps and was an unforgettable experience. In December that year I got to perform in the Messiah for the first time and hope to do the same every Christmas for a long time to come.
Marion has been a member of Auckland Choral since 2008 and has recently become both a trustee and the Treasurer of the Foundation. She is responsible for all the financial transactions undertaken by the Foundation and prepares the year end accounts and reporting requirements required by the Charities Services. She also works closely with the Auckland Foundation with whom we have a partnership and together are working hard to fund choral singing in Auckland and New Zealand.
