Five weeks and counting...in more ways than one

Rehearsals of John Rutter’s Magnificat and Requiem have been, and are, intense. As a learning exercise, these superb works have together presented a challenge which is the equal of anything Oriana has taken on in the past. But the Choir is proving itself to be very much up to the challenge. After just half a dozen rehearsals, they are almost across all seven movements of each of the works.

Just to put that in perspective – the average duration of each movement is 4 to 5 minutes. The complexity of some of the movements is such that they have to be learned in segments. There are changes of key, time signature and tempo, sometimes from one bar to the next, and the concentration required to get to the point where all choristers can sing through from beginning to end with some degree of cohesion, is considerable. There’s been more mental counting – “one two, three; one two; one two three four; one two three; one two” in this season than in just about any other in Oriana’s history. And to have reached the point where it’s all starting to hang together, in half of the total time allotted for rehearsal, is no mean feat.

But don’t misinterpret my comments as complaint. Far from it. The music of Rutter’s Magnificat and Requiem is so wonderful – it’s marvellously melodic; the rhythms of many of the pieces are infectious; it evokes joy, awe, sorrow, tranquility and nearly every other emotion; and both works are such a delight to sing, and to hear - that coming to grips with it has been, and continues to be, a genuine labour of love. Oriana is committed to bringing you a simply wonderful afternoon of beautiful, utterly enjoyable music.

If you think the words ’magnificat’ and ‘requiem’ are codes for ‘serious, difficult, boring’ music – think again. You don’t have to be a classical music buff to enjoy this. Good music is good music. And these works of Rutter’s are very good music.

Do yourself a favour, as Molly used to say. And do your friends a favour. Bring them with you. You won’t regret it.

Ian Rix

15 October, 2024

Performances

Saturday, November 16th, 2.00 pm – Maleny State Primary School

Sunday, November 17th, 2.00 pm - Stella Maris Performance Centre, Maroochydore

For bookings and information, go to www.oriana.org.au