Two Border concerts this month are going to pull out all the stops – literally.
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Murray Conservatorium Choir will tackle a challenging work believed to be making its Albury-Wodonga debut.
Messe Solenelle (Solemn Mass) by French organist and composer Louis Vierne is the feature of Divine Music, a concert program for choir and organ.
Choir director Jeff Mosher, organist James Flores and the singers have been rehearsing for nearly four months ahead of the performances on May 19 and 20.
Compositions by Brahms, Faure and Wesley will introduce the organ more quietly in the first half before the mass takes over after interval.
“It’s quite an odd work that’s often not performed as a concert work, it’s more liturgical so used in the church setting,” Mosher said.
“To have it premiered as a concert work in this area, it’s a pretty sure bet that it’s never been done before.”
Originally written for two organs, this arrangement of Messe Solenelle uses just one instrument, effectively doubling Flores’ workload.
“Viene has created, in a very masterful way, a dialogue between that grand organ, the loud screaming pipes, and then the choir,” Mosher said.
“He’s paired that with these syncopated rhythms that really just strike you in the heart.”
The choir will sing from the St Matthew’s organ loft to be close to the instrument, with the audience able to view the performers via two newly installed screens downstairs.
“I think if you love loud, fast organ music, then you’ll love it,” Mosher said.
“There’s something for every level to appreciate in this mass, all the way from the high intellectual to just someone who’s never heard an organ before and wants to feel that rumbling in their chest.”
An experienced church organist, Flores has not accompanied a choral concert before and did take some persuading to attempt Messe Solenelle.
“I was a bit reluctant, I’d never heard the work before, it’s not very common but I heard a few recordings and it’s really magnificent,” he said.
Mosher brought the score to their first meeting “and that was the first of the fear that I instilled, showing him all the black on the page and that’s all his part”.
“It was fear,” Flores agreed with a smile. “But I want to be part of the premiere, I mean, how often will it ever be done again?”
Mosher said joint projects helped develop the arts.
“Having that collaboration, I think, shows a lot of people what’s possible in this area and we need more of that,” he said.
- Divine Music will be at St Matthew Church, Albury, on May 19 at 7.30pm and May 20 at 2.30pm