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Mozart and Bach at Wells Cathedral: Somerset Chamber Choir
| Published: 23rd July 2012 12:44 |
Somerset Chamber Choir stage a concert of three Baroque and Classical choral masterpieces by Mozart, CPE and JS Bach at Wells Cathedral this Saturday, 28 July at 7pm.
Mozart's 'Great' Mass in C minor is widely acknowledged to be one of the greatest choral masterpieces, not just of the classical period, but of all time. It was composed in fulfillment of a vow that the composer made prior to marrying his beloved Constanze Weber. As with his Requiem, the Mass was never completed. However, what we have is the most magnificent music - simultaneously looking backwards to Bach and Handel in its powerfully dramatic choruses, and forwards to Beethoven in its vivid instrumental writing and impressive showpiece arias. Constanze sang these in the 1783 Salzburg premiere and the music movingly reflects the deep love and passion that Wolfgang felt for her.
In an intriguing programme, Mozart's most famous mass setting is preceded by two significant earlier 18th century works - one by Johann Sebastian Bach and one by the greatest of his sons, Carl Philipp Emanuel, thus providing audience and performers alike with the rare opportunity of tracing the ancestry of some of the key stylistic elements within Mozart's distinctive musical cocktail.
Nun danket alle Gott BWV 192 (c.1730) by JS Bach is based upon the famous chorale tune 'Now thank we all our God' and possibly was composed for a wedding celebration - the middle movement being a beguiling duet for soprano and bass. It is an absolute gem of Baroque perfection, brimful with fizzing choruses and dance-like orchestral writing.
CPE Bach's setting of the Magnificat (1749) pays tribute to his father's renowned 1723 setting but also strikes out in exciting, new musical directions, particularly in the elaborate arias. CPE famously wrote 'I believe music must, first and foremost, stir the heart ' and this work certainly should. Continuing the father and son theme, Mozart said of CPE Bach 'He is the father, we are the children. All we do right, we owe to him'.
A grand tour of 18th Century choral masterpieces in the stunning setting of Wells Cathedral:
Mozart: Mass in C minor
CPE Bach: Magnificat
JS Bach: Nun danket alle Gott
Somerset Chamber Choir
Southern Sinfonia
Mary Bevan - soprano
Ruth Jenkins - soprano
Katie Bray - mezzo-soprano
Nicholas Mulroy - tenor
Benjamin Bevan - baritone
Graham Caldbeck - conductor
Tickets from Taunton TIC (01823 336344), online at www.somersetchamberchoir.org.uk or at the door on concert night.
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