Passages to Eternity

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Saturday, March 12th, 2016
7:30 PM to 9:15 PM

Victoria Baroque Players with St John’s Chamber Singers conducted by David Stratkauskas Edward Norman, organ Brian Yoon, cello Duruflé: Requiem Handel: Trio Sonata in B minor Buxtehude: "Mit Fried und Freud" and "Klaglied" Bach: Aria "Schlummert ein" Bach: Motet "Lobet den Herrn"

About this Programme

The Victoria Baroque Players and St John's Chamber Singers come together in a concert of music written for the final journey: transcendent works, composed nearly three centuries apart, contemplating eternity and the greatest mystery of the human condition. The centrepiece of the evening is Maurice Duruflé's sublime Requiem - for choir, organ and solo cello - which employs the tunes of the ancient Gregorian plainchant of the "Mass of the Dead", at the same time echoing the timeless architectural polyphony of Bach's writing, but in the sumptuous French harmonic language. This outstanding work of mid-20th century will be contrasted by works by Baroque masters, in historically-informed performance. Dieterich Buxtehude's introspective cantata "Mit Fried und Freud" for solo voices and instruments sets Martin Luther's hymn based on the Nunc Dimittis (The Song of Simeon, 'Now let thy servant depart in peace') and is followed by his greatly personal "Klaglied" (Lamentation), both of which he wrote for the funeral of his own father. And, lastly, Bach's rocking lullaby-themed aria Schlummert ein is paired with his motet Lobet den Herrn, which though likely written for a funeral service, is ecstatic, uplifting, and undeniably full of life and energy.

For Lutherans in the Baroque Era death was not a time for sorrow, but an occasion of joy over the soul's return to its maker and release from the trials of this world; this trust and longing is strongly present in Bach's music. Indeed, all the music of this concert, despite the common end-of-life subject matter, is filled with hope and optimism and transcendent beauty. St John's Chamber Singers, conducted by David Stratkauskas, consists of 24 singers, all of whom are professional musicians, advanced voice students, or experienced choral singers from the community. The three soloists in the concert - Rachel Allen, soprano, Alana Hayes, mezzo soprano, and Nathan McDonald, baritone - are all members of the choir and students of the renown soprano Nancy Argenta. The early instrument ensemble, Victoria Baroque Players, is now in their fifth season of giving high-quality concerts of Baroque music in Victoria and the surrounding communities, most recently in January 2016 performing an orchestral programme presented by Early Music Vancouver, the Early Music Society of the Islands, the Cowichan Symphony Society, and Artspring.

The expansive organ part in Duruflé's Requiem will be played by Vancouver-based concert organist Edward Norman.

Tickets: $28 / Senior $25 / Student $5 Available at Munro's Books, Ivy's Bookshop and Long & McQuade (Victoria), and at the door.

http://victoria-baroque.com/