Two for The Price of One

“Two for the price of one” best describes the Linden Singers next concert at St. Matthew’s Church, Hastings on Sunday, 17th November, starting at the earlier time of 2.00 pm. Why you might ask? For this performance the Orlando Singers from Auckland are joining the Linden Singers, the third time the choirs have sung together in Hawkes Bay.

Conducted by Anita Banbury, the Auckland chamber choir’s repertoire is wide ranging. From the 16th century through to modern, both sacred and secular mostly are sung unaccompanied. Formed in 1972 by a group of former members of the University of Auckland Festival Choir, in the course of its 47-year history the 13-strong group has made a number of tours, both around New Zealand and abroad including Hobart, Brisbane and New Caledonia. .

Directed by Basil Brooker, The Linden Singers were formed a year earlier and its repertoire is very similar to that of the Orlando Singers but with around 30 voices to call on they sometimes present larger scale works.

During the first half the choirs join together to present two works accompanied by the Cathedral Strings led by Norma Smith. Cantique de Jean Racine was written in 1865 during Gabriel Fauré's final year at the École Niedermeyer – winning him the first prize for composition – and this elegant work now holds a cherished place in the choral repertory.

This is followed by Missa Sancti Nicolai composed Joseph Haydn as a mass for St. Nicholas Day in 1772. Every year on this day a mass was held in honour of the Prince of Esterházy who shared his birthday with St. Nicholas. It is thought Haydn wrote this composition specifically to thank the Prince for allowing him to return to Eisenstadt. The four soloists are drawn from the ranks of both choirs.

In the second half each choir will presents their own bracket of songs.

The Orlando Singers has two namesake composers, Orlando Lassus (Flemish, 1532 - 1594) and Orlando Gibbons (English, 1583 - 1625). They begin with one of their signature pieces, Jubilate Deo, a setting of words from Psalm 100 (O be joyful in the Lord all ye lands) by Orlando Lassus. Some prominent New Zealand composers have been included in their bracket. John Wells is represented by How Sweet the name and the lively folk song Blow me eyes and former member of the Orlando Singers Ronald Dellow honoured through his exuberant setting of Psalm 47 O clap your hands. Also included is a vocal favourite Who shall win my lady fair composed by the early nineteenth century English composer Robert Pearsall and rollicking drinking song.

Come landlord by contemporary English composer Richard Grylls.

The bracket by the Linden Singers is just as varied starting with Abendlied (Evening Song), a glorious sacred motet written for a six-part mixed choir by Joseph Rheinberger. Composing the first version in 1855, at the age of 15 he subsequently revised it in 1864. This work is regarded as his best-known sacred composition. Abendlied is contrasted by Alleluia, a canon composed by the eighteenth century English composer William Boyce. Linden Singers vocal coach and accompanist Elizabeth Curtis has contributed Two Prayers from Durham Cathedral to the programme which then lightens with a jazz version of It was a lover and his lass by the great jazz pianist Sir George Shearing followed by a very lively arrangement of the well-loved Nursery Rhyme Sing Song of sixpence by John Rutter.

Tickets, Adults $25, Seniors $20 and Children $5, are available at the door and the concert is followed by a complimentary afternoon tea.