Saturday 5 April 2008
St Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church
33 Howard Street
West Melbourne

Royal Melbourne Philharmonic - Bruckner, Schubert, Beethoven - with Akademisches Orchester der Universität Stuttgart.

• Bruckner Te Deum
• Schubert Mass in A Flat
• Beethoven Symphony no. 7

 
Stuttgart University’s orchestra accompanies two large combined Melbourne choirs on 5 April in West Melbourne for its only Melbourne performance. The German orchestra conducted by Veronica Stoertzenbach will perform Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony, and accompany Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Choir and Melbourne University Choral Society in works by Bruckner and Schubert.
 
Akademisches Orchestra der Universität Stuttgart, conducted by Veronica Stoertzenbach since 1988, has a 30-year tradition. Students of all faculties – teaching mainly technical subjects -  perform a large variety of music, from popular pieces to rarely heard ones. The orchestra has about 100 members and performs concerts throughout the year. It will tour Australia  (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Stawell) from 27 March to 15 April 2008.
 
Andrew Wailes, RMP Music Director, who conducts both choirs, comments: ‘We are thrilled to be performing these great Austro-German works with the Academic Orchestra of Stuttgart University, and I am particularly pleased to be working with their conductor, Veronika Stoertzenbach on this powerful programme.  I am sure the combination of a vibrant German orchestra and two of Melbourne’s largest and finest choirs will prove musically impressive and memorable in the newly restored splendour of St Mary’s Church here in Melbourne.’
 
Bruckner’s Te Deum is a highly dramatic and powerful setting of the Christian hymn of praise and thanksgiving.  It received its first performance in Vienna in 1885, and since then has remained a favourite setting of the text. At the time of his death, Bruckner considered it to be his finest work.
 
Schubert’s Missa Solemnis  dates from 1822, and is not only considered to be the composer’s best, but one of the finest settings of the mass ever composed. Full of contrasts and moments of divine inspiration, the work also contains moments of extraordinary musical effect, and profound mysticism.
 
Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony in A Major has thrilled audiences with its fiery rhythmic nature ever since. It premiered at a charity concert for wounded soldiers in 1812, conducted by Beethoven himself.  It moves along at a good pace, with lively, dancing rhythms.  He called it 'one of my best works'.
 
This concert is a joint venture between Melbourne University Choral Society (MUCS) and Royal Melbourne Philharmonic (RMP). MUCS (est. 1939) exists to offer both students and interested members of the community the chance to learn and perform choral music in a friendly and relaxed environment - irrespective of age, experience or profession. Royal Melbourne Philharmonic (est. 1853) is one of the oldest secular choirs in the world. Established by a group of civic leaders and music lovers who wished to bring musical culture of a high standard to the early colony of Victoria, it today continues to present critically acclaimed performances to audiences in Melbourne. It is committed to the encouragement and fostering of young musicians, and is recognised by many as Melbourne's premier symphonic choir.
 
Soloists for this concert include Rosamund Illing (soporano), Victoria Lambourn (mezzo), James Ecclestone (tenor) and Stephen Bennett (bass)
 
Bruckner, Schubert, Beethoven is on Saturday 5 April at 8pm in the Church of St Mary, Star of the Sea, cnr Howard & Victoria Streets, West Melbourne. Tickets are $40.50 for an adult, and $30.50 concession on 136 100 or online at ticketmaster.com.au. You can also purchase ahead of concert date for $35/25 through RMP on 03 9419 1582, or at rmp.org.au (includes a $3 booking fee).