Choral classics, old and modern

The West Gippsland Chorale brings an enticing mix of classic and contemporary music to its forthcoming concert entitled Choral Classics. The Chorale presents a varied program featuring Mozart (Ave Verum), Brahms (Wie Lieblich/How Lovely from his Requiem), Bach (Crucifixus), Bruckner (Locus iste) and Mendelssohn (Hear My Prayer) with Lynne Davine as feature soloist. Among the classics is Handel’s triumphant Zadok the Priest, first performed in 1927 for the coronation of King George II and at every British coronation since. The Chorale is in secure territory with two madrigals, Arcadelt's Il Bianco E Dolce Cigno (The White Swan) and Monteverdi’s Oime Il Bel Viso (Ah Me The Beautiful Face). Two memorable European sacred works, Palestrina's Sicut Cervus and Fauré's Cantique de Jean Racine, will also be familiar to Chorale audiences. Modern classics include Frostiana, which sets to music American Robert Frost's The Road not Taken, his seminal poem about life's choices. Vaughan Williams' bridal work, See the Chariot at Hand, and Lauridsen's Sure On This Shining

Night, add to the contemporary offering.

The Chorale is accustomed to singing in different languages and this program is no exception with pieces sung in Latin, French, Italian, German, and of course English!

Another highlight is a performance of Eriks Esenvalds’ Stars, sung in eight parts, with six wine glasses (filled with water) played on their rims.

The Chorale has enjoyed preparing this amazing piece as it truly captures the sound of the “music of the spheres” within the splendid acoustics of Wesley.

They will be accompanied by pianist Lisa Fraser who has been involved in many aspects of classroom music education and currently works locally teaching piano, theory and voice.

Conductor Simon Loveless and the West Gippsland Chorale are looking forward to presenting this entertaining program which showcases the Chorale’s versatility and commitment to presenting programs of diverse genres of music for the enjoyment of its audience.

Choral Classics will be performed on Friday September 16 at 8pm and Sunday September 18 at 2pm, at Wesley of Warragul.

Tickets are $30 for adults, $25 concession and free for school children.

They are on sale at Need 2 Read, 25B Victoria Street Warragul, by phoning 0427 746 859 or online at www.westgippslandChorale.org.au and www.trybooking.com/KSIW, or at the door.

To find out more about the Chorale and its forthcoming performances, phone Sally Woollett on 0406 321 312.