What does it all mean?

Posted on January 29, 2011 by Tim Kaye

We last sang Mozart’s Requiem in 2006 and the choir has greatly improved in these last five years.

To get our very best performance, Carlos has asked us to develop a deep understanding of the work. The Latin text has a powerful meaning – click below to download a translation (with thanks to Marj and Richard).

English Translation of Mozart Requiem

This is a personal message from a man close to death and, whilst there is some controversy about the nature of Mozart’s commission and how much of the work he completed, we know that many of the most poignant moments reflect Mozart’s imminent destiny. With Carlos’ leadership we need to bring that passion to our performance.

Follow that!

Posted on January 4, 2011 by Richard Griffiths

It has been a great year for Manly Warringah Choir. Our 2010 had three fabulous concerts, not just on our own judgement but on that of capacity audiences. Everyone will have their own special memories of the year, but my three top ones will be Chris Pidcock’s stirring performance of the Dvorak Cello Concerto, the Choir’s masterful performance of the very difficult Poulenc Gloria, and the exhilaration of singing the finale of Beethoven’s Ninth followed by the spontaneous standing ovation.

What’s in store for 2011? Three choral favourites, for a start. In April, Mozart’s exquisite Requiem; in August, Orff’s boisterous Carmina Burana; and in December, Handel’s incomparable Messiah. And in the first concert, we will have the treat of hearing Alexandra playing Prokoviev’s tuneful first Violin Concerto.

So it promises to be another fantastic year of music-making under Carlos’ inspirational direction. I look forward to seeing everyone at the first rehearsal on January 27^th.

Smile and enjoy

Posted on December 3, 2010 by Tim Kaye

wow … what a dress rehearsal. Its going to be great.

It is a relief that we can actually fit Beethovan’s 9th into the Chapel. Its been praying on my mind, just a little, ever since Carlos proposed the work in August 2009. We explored some new elegant staging solutions, but until we find that generous sponsor, staging will have to remain a plan for the future. As it is we managed with our existing resources and, with some fine tuning (at 6:30 on the night!), we will all be ready.

All that remains is the usual pre-concert message: