Mozart Requiem
Mozart Solemn Vespers
Summertown Choral Society
Conductor: Duncan Saunderson
Instruments of Time and Truth
Mozart’s Requiem, his incomplete and final masterpiece written in the year of his death, has entered the ‘mainstream’ through film and television. Tender lyricsm alongside thumping drama, baroque influences from Bach and Handel in the hands of a genius, operatic solo writing and exquisite orchestral colours make it one of the most popular classical works ever written.
Intriguing rumours have swirled, such as the dedicatee wanting to pass it off as his own work (fortunately Mozart’s wife squashed this!) and an apparition convincing Mozart he was writing for his own funeral. No coincidence then that the key of D minor had supernatural connotations for Mozart as in the foreboding Piano Concerto No. 20 and the ghostly Commendatore Scene from Don Giovanni.
Mozart’s Solemn Vespers K339 were written for liturgical use in Salzburg Cathedral where he was Kappellmeister. Despite a fractious relationship with the authorities due to the formal requirements for liturgical music, he produced six glorious movements ranging from “Stile Antico” that has a Renaissance polyphony feel to pure Mozart in the ravishing and famous “Laudate Dominum” for soprano and choir.
Full of energy, sparkle and variety, the work is a joy to sing and sits alongside the Requiem perfectly!
With Instruments of Time and Truth and glorious soloists, this is another SCS concert not to be missed!
Please note: photography, recording or filming is not permitted during this event.