The Commemoration service for All Soul’s Day in the Cathedral Church of Christ the King last Sunday highlighted the positive side of the human condition and the significant role that music plays in articulating the complex expression of emotion with which we deal. The Mozart Requiem took that expression to a very high level and it was extremely gratifying to see so many people from so many diverse parts of the local community making major contributions.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The performance of the Requiem alone was a major event, with instrumentalists, members of outstanding vocal group Vox, community singers and church choristers combining to shape an outstanding performance under the direction of Lyndall Allen. The four soloists Alison Ho, Christine Heald, Kyle Hackwill and Richard Chew fulfilled their roles memorably. The importance of the performance was the way in which it sat naturally with the sacred service without distraction or interruption, enabling the capacity congregation to appreciate the solemn service at many levels.
Mozart’s Requiem was incomplete at his death and there remains doubt as to how much of the work was completed by others. Australian composer Letho Kostoglou’s completion of the work, used in this performance, was highly effective, acknowledging the contribution of Mozart’s student Sussmayr.
In the coming weeks the Cathedral will launch its Music Foundation with two concerts (3pm & 7pm) featuring Silvie Paladino on Saturday November 17. This will be followed by the traditional Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols on Sunday December 16th, at 7pm. If the performance of the Mozart Requiem is an indicator then the future of music in the cathedral is very bright indeed.