20th Century Choral Classics

For their Spring performance, Wairarapa Singers present seven works from the 20th Century.

John Rutter's Mass for children is beautifully written for voices and superbly orchestrated. His skillful writing for soloists, choirs and musicians, with his sensitive interweaving of the various Latin and English texts, has resulted in one of his finest and most moving works.

Adiemus, composed by Karl Jenkins, premiered in a Delta Airlines television commercial that received a great response from the public. Jenkins then expanded the piece, eventually releasing several albums of Adiemus material. The main idea was to create a modern song using classical forms, such as rondo and ternary.

Agnus Dei (Lamb of God) is a choral composition in one movement by Samuel Barber; his own arrangement of his Adagio for Strings.

Mother and Child, from the world-acclaimed composer Sir John Tavener, aims to create ‘an ethereal mood of contemplation’, with images of light and flame to symbolise love. From the contemplative chant-like opening minutes, through a blazing climax augmented by organ and gong, to the finale, this piece conveys radiance and the passage of light. The choristers are joined by massive organ chords, and the work develops to an overwhelming climax, with awesome strokes sounded on a gong. The final invocation is prayerful and contemplative.

Lux Aurumque (Light and Gold) begins with the word "Light" and ends "angels sing softly to the new-born babe". Composer Eric Whitacre's music has been described as "softly spoken, deeply harmonic and tuneful, but making use of unusual rhythms and sound balancing to create highly textured music".

Seal Lullaby, composed by Eric Whitacre uses lyrics from Rudyard Kipling's The White Seal. This tells a beautiful story, dark and rich, that begins with the mother seal singing softly to her young pup.

'Tau o Te Ate' is a new piece composed by Morgan-Andrew King from Wellington. Wairarapa Singers are proud to be able to offer this world premiere.