John Rutter - Very Special Music

Throughout the course of its existence (near twenty years, and counting!), Oriana Choir has performed an immense, and incredibly diverse array of musical works. We’ve sung songs ancient and modern; classical and popular; secular and sacred. We’ve performed in English, French, Latin, German, Italian, Russian, Hungarian, Spanish – even, on the odd occasion, Australian!

We’ve given you Mozart, Bach, Faure, Haydn and Mendelssohn; Broadway, Hollywood, Jazz, Christmas, ABBA, the Sixties and Seventies; great works like The Armed Man, Mozart’s Requiem, Elijah and The Creation; and much, much more. And every song, every work that Oriana has prepared and presented over the years, has been a source of pleasure and fulfilment for its members and, we hope, for its audiences.

But, you know, every once in a while, we take on a programme that, for numerous reasons, really stands out and captures our imagination, fills us with passion and enthusiasm, and touches our hearts. John Rutter’s Magnificat and Requiem is just such a programme. The music of both these works is among the most challenging, inspiring, and unquestionably beautiful that Oriana has ever undertaken.

And why is this? Well, I’ll try to put it into considerably fewer words than I really need.

First of all, Rutter approaches these time-honoured musical settings with incredible sensitivity and affection, resulting in works that are instantly accessible. And they really appeal to one’s emotions.

Secondly, Rutter is so inventive in the way he creates music that is a wonderful, near-perfect setting for the subject matter. For example, his famous version of “The Lord Is My Shepherd”, which is the sixth movement of the Requiem, presents the words of the 23rd Psalm in such a way that one can really feel the immeasurable comfort they are meant to convey. Similarly, the first movement of the Magnificat has a rhythm and melody that is irresistibly joyous, infectious, and modern. It’s the sort of exuberant music you could imagine Mary singing if she were here today.

Thirdly, Oriana’s choristers have put so much of themselves into learning these works that, while they have been ‘getting’ the music, the music has ‘got’ them. Speaking for myself, and I think I can safely say for all the Choir, I can truly say that I love this music. All of it. I love singing all of it. And I can’t wait to perform it for you, so that you can experience the joy and love of it too.

I could say so much more. But please, do yourself a favour, and come see and hear for yourself. Who knows when the Sunshine Coast will have another opportunity to experience this wonderful, thrilling, beautiful music?

John Rutter: Magnificat and Requiem is undeniably ‘one out of the box.’

Ian Rix

1 November, 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

By arrangement with ORiGiN Theatrical. By permission of Boosey & Hawkes Music Publishers on behalf of Oxford University Press

Oriana Choir

Oriana is proudly supported by

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