Of all the treasures of Western choral music, the two passions by J.S. Bach rank among the highest. The St John Passion is an unforgettable experience. There are feisty choruses that speak for the madding crowd, sublime chorales that reflect on the harrowing events, and lyrical statements of faith that emanate from the rich vocal contributions of six soloists.
For those who were brought up in a Christian tradition, this work serves to confirm and enhance their faith. For others, the intense spirituality of the music is present everywhere. And for everyone, the St John Passion is, in a single phrase, Bach’s and Baroque music at its best.
Marlena Devoe Soprano
Sarah Court Mezzo-soprano
Henry Choo Tenor
Christopher Bowen Tenor, Evangelist
David Greco Baritone Petrus & Pilatus
Barry Mora Bass, Jesus
Auckland Choral
Pipers Sinfonia
Uwe Grodd Conductor
Saturday 1 April 7.30pm
Holy Trinity Cathedral
Like so many contraltos, I first got put in the alto section as a school girl because I could read music and manage to sing a line of harmony. I joined Auckland Choral when I was in high school and now I’ve been a member for 40 years! I started singing with my mum as a toddler, sitting on her knee while she played the piano and sang soprano and tenor Messiah arias. I used to come to Auckland Choral’s Saturday dress rehearsals in the Town Hall and follow the score in my early teenage years, and it was a natural step to join Mum in the choir when I was 15. I remember Choral Hall in Airedale Street where we used to meet (before Mayoral Drive was built). It was a dusty old building and freezing in winter, but the ladies in the alto section were very kind to me and welcomed me into the back row. Nothing really changes in that respect; the Auckland Choral altos today are a great bunch of people as well!
I learnt to sing on my mother's knee and have been singing ever since! In school in Wales I sang in small and large choirs in the eisteddfod. As soon as I left school I joined a choral society and have always been a member of one choir or another. I joined Auckland Choral in 2006 and have been on the management committee for the last 2 years. Choral singing has given me opportunities to make and keep wonderful friends, to travel, to see magnificent buildings, to hear all the major works and many new compositions, and to be part of a fabulous music making machine, always striving to improve. I have sung Handel's Messiah in 4 continents, in 2016 clocked up my 70th Messiah, and I still love it. I am also a semi retired speech language therapist and enjoy spending time with my 5 grandchildren.
Garnet has a long involvement with Auckland Choral after his first introduction to singing in Lead Roles in Gilbert and Sullivan Operettas at Kings High School in Dunedin,followed by being a member of Capping Sextet at Otago University with Sir William Southgate in the 1960s.