Magnificat in B flat major

While this famed piece is generally attributed to important 18th century composer Francesco Durante, many scholars believe that it was in fact written by Giovanni Battista Pergolesi, Durante’s talented pupil.  A composer of much sacred and instrumental work, Francesco Durante composed two versions of his Magnificat in B flat major – the first a 4-part version that will be performed this evening, and the second a more elaborate 5-part version featuring two sopranos.

Suite in D

George Frideric Handel’s Trumpet Suite in D major was first published in 1733 by Jonathan Johnson as "The Famous Water Peice [sic] Compos'd by Mr. Handel". Three movements have been adapted from known works by Handel, the first movement taken from Water Music. It is unclear whether the remaining movements were written by the composer.

Requiem in D minor, K. 626

The final work of a tragically short life, Mozart was in fact still working on the Requiem, a setting of the Latin Mass for the dead, on the night he died - December 5, 1791. Recognizing that he was terminally ill, Mozart left elaborate instructions according to which the work was later completed by his pupil Franz Xaver Süßmayr. So exact where these instructions, that it’s possible to identify Mozart’s work on the composition to the exact bar.

While it is now known that a servant of Count Walsegg-Stuppach initiated the contract, Mozart was unaware of the identity of the mysterious patron who had commissioned the piece. Succumbing to delusions about his failing health, he became increasingly convinced that this would become his own funeral music.Of the work’s twelve movements, Mozart managed only to complete the Kyrie in its entirety. He had written vocal parts and a figured bass line (a kind of harmonic shorthand) for much of the other sections, leaving only the orchestration, his intention for which he left clearly indicated in his instructions. These movements may therefore be regarded as the work of the master. For reasons unknown, Mozart postponed writing the seventh movement, the Lacrimosa, until after writing movements eight and nine, but managed only the first eight bars before death finally overtook him. He left a number of other fragments, such as the trombone solo at the opening of the Tuba Mirum. It was left to Süßmayr to complete the Lacrimosa, as well as compose the last three movements in their entirety.

Programme

Magnificat in B flat major

•Giovanni Battista Pergolesi (1710 - 1736) attributed to Francesco Durante(1684 - 1755)

1. Magnificat
2. Et misericordia
3. Deposuit potentes
4. Suscepit Israel
5. Sicut locutus est
6. Sicut erat in principio

Suite in D for trumpet, strings and basso continuo

• George Frideric Handel (1685 - 1759)

1. Overture
2. Gigue
3. Aire (Menuetto)
4. March (Bourrée)
5. March

Solo Trumpet: Niall O’Sullivan

INTERVAL

Requiem in D minor K. 626

• Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)

1. Introitus: Requiem aeternam (choir with soprano solo)
2. Kyrie (choir)
3. Sequentia: Dies irae (choir) Tuba mirum (solo quartet) Rex tremendae majestatis (choir) Recordare, Jesu pie (solo quartet), Confutatis maledictis (choir) Lacrimosa dies illa (choir)
4. Offertorium: Domine Jesu Christe (choir with solo quartet) Versus: Hostias et preces (choir)
5. Sanctus & Benedictus: Sanctus (choir) Benedictus (solo quartet and choir)
6. Agnus Dei (choir)
7. Communio: Lux aeterna (soprano solo and choir)

Goethe-Institut Choir

The Goethe-Institut Choir comprises a refreshing mix of singers of all ages and many nationalities. Founded by the Institut in 1965, the choir was directed until 1998 by the late Cáit Cooper. Renowned conductor John Dexter has since taken over the role and the choir has continued to build on its high reputation. Playing a vital and vibrant role in Dublin’s cultural life, the choir’s performance schedule includes at least three concerts per year, in addition to special events such as the Carmichael Centre’s Good Friday concert held in St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin. The choir has performed both nationally and internationally and has presented concerts in Belgium, Italy, Germany and Austria. Programmes have included works by composers such as Vittoria, Schütz, Monteverdi, Bach, Handel and Beethoven. A significant feature of performances has been the inclusion of the work of Irish composers, including Brian Boydell and Seoirse Bodley.

www.goetheinstitutchoir.ie

Orchestra of St. Cecilia

Formed in 1995, the Orchestra of St. Cecilia is drawn from the finest of Dublin’s professional musicians. Having garnered a notable reputation for the excellent quality of its performances, the orchestra has firmly established itself within Irish musical life, particularly by way of its ten year Bach Cantata project in which all two hundred of Bach’s church cantatas were performed. In addition to performing throughout the country, the Orchestra presents a regular series of concerts in association with the National Concert Hall in Dublin. Highlights have included the complete Mozart Piano Concertos with Hugh Tinney, the complete Beethoven Symphonies and Piano Concertos conducted and performed by Barry Douglas, and an outstanding symphony series conducted by Sir Neville Marriner. The Orchestra’s current project is the performance of all 108 symphonies by the great Austrian composer Franz Joseph Haydn, the second series of which take place during April and May 2012 in the Newman University Church, Dublin.

www.orchestrastcecilia.ie 

John Dexter, Conductor

In addition to conducting the Goethe-Institut Choir, John Dexter is Chorus Master of Dublin County Choir and Music Teacher in St Patrick’s Cathedral Grammar School. An Organ Scholar in Jesus College, Oxford, and at St Paul’s Cathedral London, John learnt his trade through accompanying and singing in choirs. From 1977 to 2001 he was Organist and Master of the Choristers in St Patrick’s Cathedral and is now organist in Whitechurch Parish Church, Dublin. John has worked as rehearsal accompanist for many internationally recognised choral ensembles such as the BBC Singers, the Monteverdi Choir and London Philharmonic Choir. He has sung with Collegium Musicum, the Proteus Choir and in 2010 John sang with the London Symphony Chorus, both in a Royal Albert Hall “Prom” and in the Queen Elizabeth Hall.

Virginia Kerr, Soprano

Virginia Kerr is one of Ireland’s most distinguished sopranos, equally well known on the operatic stage, concert and oratorio platforms, and as a recitalist. Her career includes celebrated performances on the stages of the world’s leading opera houses and concert halls, and has taken her as far afield as Russia, the Far East, Mexico, North and South America. Virginia appears regularly as featured soloist with both the RTÉ National Symphony and RTÉ Concert Orchestras, as well as presenting a regular radio show on BBC Radio 2.

Sharon Carty, Mezzo-soprano

Winner of the inaugural RTÉ/RAAP classical breakthrough bursary, mezzo-soprano Sharon Carty began her vocal studies at the Royal Irish Academy of Music before continuing in operatic studies at the University for Music and Performing Arts, Vienna. Sharon has performed as a soloist with numerous Irish and international choirs and orchestras, including the UCD Choral Scholars and the European Union Chamber Orchestra. Concert highlights for 2012 so far have included Ultimate Choral Classics with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra and Galway Baroque Singers, and Bach’s Matthäus-Passion with the Palestrina choir.

Eamonn Mulhall, Tenor

Trained at the Royal College of Music and the National Opera Studio in London, Eamonn Mulhall has sung with many of Ireland and Britain’s eminent choral societies. Highlights include Messiah at the Royal Albert Hall, Puccini’s Messa di Gloria with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra and appearances with the Irish Baroque Orchestra and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. His repertoire spans from Bach’s Matthäus-Passion, through to Mendelssohn’s Elijah and Britten’s St. Nicholas. Eamonn’s many operatic engagements include the world première of James MacMillan’s Clemency at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden. A committed recitalist he has given song recitals in Wexford, London, Scotland and Belgium.

Philip O’Reilly, Bass

Philip O’Reilly was born in Coventry, England. After an initial career as an engineer, Philip embarked upon vocal studies with Otokar Kraus, whilst working as a professional chorister in London. His operatic debut came with Glyndebourne Touring Opera in their acclaimed production of Rossini’s Cenerentola as Don Magnifico. Philip’s repertoire ranges from medieval to contemporary music, and he has performed and recorded with leading conductors and orchestras around the world, from Edinburgh to Tokyo. He is a member of the vocal faculty at the Royal Irish Academy of Music in Dublin.

Niall O’Sullivan, Trumpet

After studies at DIT Conservatory and the Royal Irish Academy of Music, Niall O’Sullivan took up a scholarship at the Royal College of Music, London. During his time at the RCM, Niall developed his commercial trumpet playing and began jazz studies, also performing with the London Symphony Orchestra and BBC Symphony Orchestra. Niall has played and recorded with all of the professional orchestras in Ireland including the RTÉ Concert and the Irish Philharmonic Orchestras. He has performed throughout Europe, the US and China, and worked under several renowned conductors including Valeriy Gergiov. Niall has worked with many celebrated popular and jazz artists including Tom Jones, Dionne Warwick, and Amy Winehouse, and released a highly successful self-titled debut album in 2011.