Join us for a warm evening of beautiful music by prominent Austrian composers, Schubert and Mozart.
The Overture to The Magic Flute is one of the supreme orchestral works of the 18th century. One of Mozart‘s most famous operas and one of his last works, Die Zauberflöte (âThe Magic Fluteâ) continues to be performed worldwide each year. From its iconic, majestic opening three chords, Mozart’s overture is a wonderful combination of the sentiment and spirit of the opera that follows.
Mozart produced many serenades, the 13th of which, nicknamed Eine kleine Nachtmusik, is his best known. The four-movement work became one of Mozartâs most popular pieces. In the late 20th century, it figured prominently in the Academy Award-winning biopic Amadeus (1984) as the character of Italian composer Antonio Salieri (Mozartâs nemesis in the film but not in real life) lamented that he himself had not created the widely admired work, as it became far more familiar than Salieriâs own works. In the 21st century, Eine kleine Nachtmusik remains among the most frequently performed and iconic of all classical compositions.
20 minute interval
Franz Schubertâs Mass no. 6 in E-flat major was his grandest, although it only premiered the year after his death in 1829, conducted by his brother Ferdinand Schubert. It fulfilled part of a commission for Holy Trinity Church in Vienna, the same church where Ludwig van Beethovenâs remains had been consecrated in 1827.  It is a powerful work of many contrasts, and richly lyrical. The Mass makes pointed references to Schubertâs âHoly Trinityâ of composers – Mozart, Beethoven and Bach and contains some of the most dramatic and heart-felt music the composer ever wrote. Even though Vienna was enamoured with operatic arias at the time, Schubert created this work as a showcase for the chorus, brass, and winds. He features a vocal quartet and trio of soloists to engage in dialogue with the full chorus.It was also his first mass to omit the organ from the orchestra, parting from the old custom of continuo accompaniment. This work has been described as Schubertâs finest sacred composition.
Conducted by Raymond Hughes
In 1986 Raymond Hughes was appointed Chorus Master of CAPAB Opera. At the same time he agreed to become Director of Music of The Philharmonia Choir of Cape Town. In 1990, after four years in Cape Town, he was chosen to become the Chorus Master at New Yorkâs Metropolitan Opera. After a career of sixteen years there, he moved to The Norwegian National Opera in Oslo. He also made his conducting debut at Carnegie Hall in May 2007. Raymond was chorus master at Deutsche Oper in Berlin, Germany, and is now director of two choral societies in Georgia, USA, and Chorus Master at Staatsoper Unter den Linden, also in Berlin, Germany.
Philharmonia Chamber Orchestra under the leadership of Lucia di Blasio-Scott.
Soloists:
Soprano Hlengiwe MkhwanaziÂ
Alto Marcelle Steinmetz
Tenor Tylor Lamani
Tenor Arthur Swan
Bass Charles Ainslie
Saturday 23 June 2018
19:30 – 21:30
Wynberg Boys High School
Tickets: unreserved R180 each –Â https://www.quicket.co.za/events/46503-schuberts-mass-in-e-flat-major/#/
Secure parking in the school grounds in the front and on the rugby fields; entrance 1 on Lovers Walk (please see map on Quicket)
Those with disability cards will be directed to appropriate parking.
(Concert Banner Graphic Design by Carin Turner)