FINN MCLENNAN-ELLIOTT
Auckland Choral’s October concert Auckland Choral is Auckland’s largest choir, and our only symphonic choir, with more than 120 active singing members. It was established in 1855 and is New Zealand’s oldest arts organisation. I spoke with Music Director, Uwe Grodd, in 2015 about many of his own achievements and that of the Auckland Choral, especially the annual Christmas performance of Handel’s Messiah. It is believed that the choir holds the world record for the most consecutive performances of Messiah, since 1919 it has performed it without interruption.
Auckland Choral and our marvelous soloists through this musical journey of praise and celebration.”
It returns on Saturday 29 October to the Auckland Town Hall with another fantastic programme of music, featuring a trio of international solo vocalists. The choir will be joining forces with the full symphony orchestra, Pipers Sinfonia, to perform Mendelssohn’s Lobgesang or Hymn of Praise, his second symphony.
The Auckland Choral is continuing to prove itself as a major player in the arts scene of Auckland, putting on tremendous programmes made up of classic choral works as well as compositions from New Zealand’s own contemporary composers. As well as Mendelssohn, this concert will feature New Zealand composer Chris Artley’s O Magnum Mysterium for a cappella choir and Scottish James MacMillan’s A New Song for choir and organ. They will be opening the concert with J.S. Bach’s G Minor Fantasia and Fugue for organ performed by Dr John Wells.
This romantic and unique blend of symphony and cantata was first performed in 1840 and will be brought to life in the Town Hall by a 100-strong Auckland Choral alongside the Pipers Sinfonia. They will be joined by Swedish mezzo soprano Catrin Johnsson, Australian tenor Jaewoo Kim and our own soprano Anna Leese.
Wells is one of the most well-respected organists in the country. He has a long list of accolades, including as Organist to the University of Auckland and as the Auckland City Organist from 1998 to 2012. He played a key role in the rebuilding of the Town Hall organ and is a composer in his own right.
The combined resume of these three international soloists is phenomenal, with performances across stages worldwide in some of the most esteemed operatic works. Maestro Grodd comments on this series, “Each work in this concert has its own unique flair and is exciting to perform next to the others. I look forward to showcasing
Catch all of this at the Auckland Town Hall on Saturday 29 October from 7.30pm. (FINN MCLENNAN-ELLIOTT) F PN
photography: J Bremner
Tickets can be purchased from www.ticketmaster.co.nz, www.aucklandchoral.com
Finn McLennan-Elliott has a Bachelor of Science Honours degree specialising in human geography at Auckland University. In his spare time, Finn plays clarinet and guitar in an orchestra and a folk music group. He is hosting ‘Folk at the Old Folks’ on the first Sunday of every month at the Auckland Old Folks Association Hall, an intimate afternoon concert of folk music.
136 PONSONBY NEWS+ October 2016
PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)