Surprising Haydn

Two famous Haydn musical surprises and a choral masterpiece are promised by the CBS Choir & Orchestra on Sunday, October 2, at 2 pm in the Catholic Pro-Cathedral, Manchester Street. Admission will be by programme $20 and $15, available at the door.

The concert begins with an intentionally chaotic orchestral Introduction to Haydn’s oratorio The Creation, depicting a formless void, predating life on planet earth. Emerging from the darkness, an angelic bass, played by Chris Whelan, together with the heavenly CBS choir, herald the dramatic arrival of light. The “Surprise” Symphony provides an opportunity for the cathedral orchestra to revisit a favourite number of the Salomon series. Beyond the legendary shock interrupting a sedate slow movement, there is much tuneful delight and whirling joyful energy in the other three movements of this much-loved work. Concluding the first half, will be another chorus from Creation which concluded the recent choral festival: The Heavens Are Telling.

Second last of the six great Masses he wrote annually at the end of his life, Haydn's Creation Mass incorporates all his symphonic skill. It was written for the Princess Esterhazy, whose palace in Eisenstadt is only a few minutes walk from the Bergkirche (Church on the Hill), where it was first performed in 1801.

The Mass takes its name from an echo of a playful duet in the Creation oratorio between Adam and Eve, when the bass soloist sings "qui tollis peccata mundi". Orchestral colour is enhanced by a complete woodwind section, and the organ has a solo in the "et incarnatus est" of the Credo. The Creation Mass reveals a fascinating variety of pace and expression, as it moves from an opening Kyrie of majestic severity to the brilliant fanfares and fugal exuberance of the closing Dona Nobis Pacem. Structurally, the work shares many of the symphonic elements of his other late Masses, with perhaps rather more opportunity for the soloists to be heard individually. For this concert, they will be Sarah-Jane Rennie, Thomas Woodfield, Andrew Grenon and Ken Joblin. Musical Director will be Don Whelan.

The cathedral musicians maintain an extensive repertoire of masses and motets, sung on Sunday at the 11 a.m. Solemn Choral Mass. New members are welcome to the 7.30 pm Wednesday evening rehearsal at the CBS Music Centre. Sight reading ability is expected. Those interested are invited to contact the CBS Musical Director, Don Whelan, phone 358-5873.

The CBS musical year will conclude with its annual Messiah at 1.30 pm on Sunday, 11 December, and a performance of Weber’s “Jubilee” Mass in G at the Christmas Midnight Mass.