Beautiful Baroque

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A sparkling Concerto Grosso in the baroque style by local composer Rakuto Kurano will be presented by the CBS Orchestra and Chorale in the Catholic Pro-Cathedral at 2 pm on Sunday, 16 February, 2025. Henry Nicholson leads the orchestra, and musical director is Don Whelan. Programme admission prices will be $30 and $25.
Rakuto has been intensively studying historically authentic baroque playing styles. In 2020, he toured the country on baroque viola with international specialists on an eight-concert national tour. In January 2021, he was commissioned to compose Concerto Grosso, a neo-baroque style work for three soloists, string ensemble + harpsichord for an 11-concert national tour. The work met a standing ovation in every concert.
The concert begins with Bach’s effervescent Suite No. 4 In D Major. Thought to be one of his earliest, this charming set of dances requires the largest forces of the set. In addition to the string ensemble and harpsichord, there are three trumpets and timpani, and Bach adds a third oboe to the woodwind group of oboes and bassoon. The orchestra will then be joined by the CBS Chorale to sing Beatus Vir, a sprightly vesper psalm setting by Monteverdi, which originated in a lighthearted secular madrigal.
The concert concludes with Bach’s Cantata 29, performed in 1731 during annual celebrations to herald a newly installed city council. Soloists will be Olivia Webb, Melanie Williams, Theo Moolenaar and Matthew Harris. The cantata contains two of his most famous musical pieces: a whirling opening Sinfonia, with glittering cascades for solo organ, and a magnificent chorus which was to re-appear at the end of Bach’s life transfigured into the finale of his B Minor Mass.
That monumental work was presented by the CBS performers in June 2024, reflecting a growing international interest in Bach performances by smaller, more historically accurate ensembles. At 2 pm on Sunday, March 30, 2025, they will perform Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No.1, together with Cantata No.1, “The Morning Star” linking its Annunciation origins to Ave Maris Stella settings by Grieg, MacMillan, and Monteverdi’s Vespers.
The annual 8 pm Good Friday Bach St John Passion will be followed on Saturday 21 June at 2 pm with Mozart’s Symphony 39, a Monteverdi Gloria, and Bach’s Cantata 123, Liebster Immanuel, with soloists including Paul Whelan. The annual Choral Festival is planned for 2 pm Sunday, 7 September, and the usual Haydn concert will be 2 pm, Sunday 21 September, featuring his Te Deum, Symphony 97, and Harmoniemesse. All Souls’ Day, Sunday November 2 will be marked by a Mozart Requiem at 2 pm, and the annual CBS Messiah will be at 1.30 pm on Sunday, December 7.
Through 2025, CBS Music continues its popular Lunch Plus Wednesday At One recital series, with details of each weekly artist posted on their web page - http://www.cathedral.org.nz/
The cathedral choir musicians maintain an extensive repertoire of masses and motets, sung each Sunday at the 11 a.m. Solemn Choral Mass. New members are welcome to the 7.30 pm Wednesday evening rehearsal at the Catholic Pro-Cathedral. Sight reading ability is expected. Those interested are invited to contact the CBS Musical Director, Don Whelan, phone 358-5873.
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