Local composer features in concert

from 20 July Independent Herald Newspaper

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The Northern Chorale will present a programme of old and new madrigals at the Khandallah Town Hall on 23 July.

Johnsonville composer Jonathan Berkahn will feature with his works being sung by the chorale at the concert, named “Mainly Madricals”.

A modern master of the madrigal form, Jonathan is active in a wide range of musical disciplines.

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He is a composer, performer, accompanist, soloist, chamber musician, conductor and occasional member of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.

Jonathan is also active in local Celtic, Irish and Eastern European folk bands as well as being a Ceilidh dance caller.

As a composer Jonathan’s main focus is on writing choral music.

He has written some orchestral music “but very, very little,” he says. He has also written tunes in the traditional Irish mould as well as songs for Sunday morning church.

“Now I am focusing more and more on what I do best, which is writing choral music.”

He has been composing music since he was at high school, and wrote the madrigals the Northern Chorale will present nearly a year ago, originally for the Festival Singers.

Madrigals became a popular musical form in the 14th century and they’re still regularly performed in the 21st century.

Many of the earlier madrigals were the pop songs of their day.

The 16th Century composer Thomas Morley, the most famous composer of secular music at the time, wrote two which feature in the concert – “April is in My Mistress Face” and “Now is the Month of Maying.”

Another madrigal the chorale will perform, one that is familiar to many, is Brahms “O Schone Nacht” (O Lovely Night).

That these songs are still in choral repertoire is testament to their enduring popularity.

During the performance, the audience will hear how both old and new madrigals use ‘word painting’ as a technique. It matches the musical sound to the words, painting a musical/vocal picture which heightens the song’s impact.

The Northern Chorale’s Music Director, Thomas Nikora, is a regular concert soloist performing with a range of orchestras. He also works with well-known choral group Cantoris, is Director of Music at St Peters’ on Willis, and a regular performer and accompanist for the New Zealand School of Music at Victoria University. The concert will begin at 2pm. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students while children are free and door sales are available by cash or internet banking. Afternoon tea will be provided at concert’s end.