Saturday, April 26, 2008
Newcastle upon Tyne Bach Choir with Newcastle University: Mahler - Symphony No. 8 in E flat major
The Sage Gateshead, 7.30pm
Newcastle Bach Choir
Newcastle University Orchestra & Choir
augmented in association with the Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning
Soloists from the Royal Northern College of Music & the Royal College of Music
Conducted by Eric Cross
A CHORAL PREMIERE FOR THE NORTH EAST!
Mahler's massive Eighth Symphony is one of the iconic works of the symphonic and choral repertoires. Written almost exactly 100 years ago (it was completed in 1907), it was dubbed the 'Symphony of a Thousand' by the promoter at its premiere in 1910, where the composer conducted a choir of 850 and an orchestra of 171. Although this performance will have more modest forces to allow for some audience in the hall, the massive orchestra, which includes harps, piano, harmonium, celesta and mandolin, is joined by several choirs, including a children's choir, a separate brass band, and eight soloists.
The first movement sets the Latin hymn 'Veni, creator spiritus', while the atmospheric second movement, based on the closing text from Goethe's Faust, ends with the vision of the Eternal Feminine. The effect was summed up by Mahler as: 'Try to imagine the whole universe beginning to ring and resound.'
This performance will be given by the Newcastle Bach Choir and Newcastle University's Choir and Orchestra, augmented by students from other regional universities through the Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, and other choristers from the region who have joined the 'Mahler Extra Choir'. The children's choir is from the King's School, Tynemouth.
The soloists include several of the leading young singers at the Royal Northern College of Music and the Royal College of Music.
As far as we know this will be the symphony's first ever performance in NewcastleGateshead.
There is also a free pre-concert talk.
Tickets: £22/17/12/8 from The Sage Gateshead (0191 443 4661)
Newcastle Bach Choir
Newcastle University Orchestra & Choir
augmented in association with the Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning
Soloists from the Royal Northern College of Music & the Royal College of Music
Conducted by Eric Cross
A CHORAL PREMIERE FOR THE NORTH EAST!
Mahler's massive Eighth Symphony is one of the iconic works of the symphonic and choral repertoires. Written almost exactly 100 years ago (it was completed in 1907), it was dubbed the 'Symphony of a Thousand' by the promoter at its premiere in 1910, where the composer conducted a choir of 850 and an orchestra of 171. Although this performance will have more modest forces to allow for some audience in the hall, the massive orchestra, which includes harps, piano, harmonium, celesta and mandolin, is joined by several choirs, including a children's choir, a separate brass band, and eight soloists.
The first movement sets the Latin hymn 'Veni, creator spiritus', while the atmospheric second movement, based on the closing text from Goethe's Faust, ends with the vision of the Eternal Feminine. The effect was summed up by Mahler as: 'Try to imagine the whole universe beginning to ring and resound.'
This performance will be given by the Newcastle Bach Choir and Newcastle University's Choir and Orchestra, augmented by students from other regional universities through the Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, and other choristers from the region who have joined the 'Mahler Extra Choir'. The children's choir is from the King's School, Tynemouth.
The soloists include several of the leading young singers at the Royal Northern College of Music and the Royal College of Music.
As far as we know this will be the symphony's first ever performance in NewcastleGateshead.
There is also a free pre-concert talk.
Tickets: £22/17/12/8 from The Sage Gateshead (0191 443 4661)
Labels: Newcastle upon Tyne Bach Choir
