Yesterday, Tuesday, 24th June, 2008 the Gaulitanus Choir again took part - as it has done since 1997 - in the Mro Carmelo Pace’s Concert organised every two years by the Mdina Cathedral Museum Committee. This year’s concert returned to the Metropolitan Cathedral at Mdina, after being held at the Manoel Theatre in 2006 to commemorate Mro. Pace’s birth centenary. Mro Pace (1906 - 1993) was a prolific 20th century Maltese composer, who has composed around 500 works covering the whole spectrum of musical genre. In 1989 he set up a Foundation for the promotion of his music, under the care of the Cathedral Museum and donated all his music to this same Cathedral Museum.

The Concert at Mdina Cathedral

Since this concert was held within the Mdina Cathedral, the choice of repertoire was obviously restricted to works with a religious tint. This concert opened up with the music of the one-act, six scenes, biblical ballet, "Ruth" based on the figure from the Old Testament which Mro. Pace composed in 1979. Mro Pace wrote the score for a chamber orchestra and used a rather traditional idiom with abundant touches of Middle Eastern / Mediterranean flavour. It was premiered in 1980 on Xandir Malta by the Manoel Theatre Orchestra directed by Joseph Sammut. Since then only one movement was played during Mro. Pace’s concert at the Mdina Cathedral in 2003. Yesterday it was the first time that it was performed in its entirety since 1980.

Soprano Rita Dimech

The second work on the programme was completely contrasting to the first work presented. "It-Triq" is a cantata for soprano and chamber orchestra. Set to a poem penned by George Zammit, this work uses a comtemporary idiom with the chamber orchestra subtly supporting the voice in illustrating a person’s resolution to follow the road leading to the little child of Betlehem notwithstanding the multiple difficulties encountered with in everyday’s life. Composed in 1974, this work was premiered in 1997 at Mdina Cathedral and was interpreted and directed by soprano Rita Dimech and Colin Attard respectively. Yesterday’s performance was It-Triq’s second ever performance and was again interpreted by Gozitan soprano Dimech, who appeared for the fifth time in a Pace concert.

Mro Colin Attard

The third work on the programme, "Meditazione" is a very early work by Pace dating back to 192. It is composed in a rather simple reflective religious mood and set in a purely romantic style. It was premiered in 1948 at the Catholic Action’s auditorium under the composer’s direction. Several arrangements of it are extant. The version that was performed during this concert was that for string orchestra (edited by Colin Attard) which was last performed in 1999 also at the Mdina Cathedral.

This concert ended in a grand style with the Choir performing Pace’s Easter Cantata "The Eternal Triumph" that Mro. Pace compsed in 1966.

This cantata is set to a text compiled by the composer himself from the Bible and other liturgical sources, mainly based on some episodes of and reflections on Christ’s resurrection from death. This cantata was premiered in 1966 at the Catholic Institute by the Jesus of Nazareth Choir and Orchestra directed by Fr. Salv Galea. It is arguably the most accessible of Pace’s grand choral works. Scored for soloists, choir and full orchestra it somehow compromises between a romantic and 20th century idiom resulting in a style which is easily communicable to the audience and at the same time fresh and full of poignancy. The soloists that took part are also members of the choir, namely soprano Rita Dimech (Mary Magdalene), tenor Joseph Calleja (Jesus), baritone Joseph Buttigieg (St. Paul), soprano Margaret Plant (1st Angel) and alto Stephanie Buttigieg (2nd Angel) with Rob Ricards as the narrator.

This piece was very well received by the very numerous audience (the cathedral was full) and an encore of the last part of the cantata was again performed.

The Gaulitanus Choir Orchestra was led by Tatjana Chircop. The conductor was Gozitan Colin Attard, who is very closely associated with the Pace concerts having directed all such concerts since 1997.

The Gaulitanus Choir is once again taking part - as it has done since 1997 - in the Mro Carmelo Pace’s Concert organised every two years by the Mdina Cathedral Museum Committee. Mro Pace (1906 - 1993) was a prolific 20th century Maltese composer, who has written some 500 works or so, covering the whole spectrum of musical genre.

On the occasion of Pace’s birth centenary, in 2006, the last concert was held at the Manoel Theatre.This year’s concert is being held at Mdina Cathedral on Tuesday, 24th June, starting at 19.30 hrs. The general public is invited to attend and entrance is free. Mro Carmelo Pace donated all his music, to the Cathedral Museum and in 1989 he set up a Foundation for the promotion of his music, under the care of the Cathedral Museum.

Since this concert will be held within the Mdina Cthedral, the choice of repertoire is obviously restricted to works with a religious tint. This concert will open up with the music of the one-act, six scenes, biblical ballet, "Ruth" based on the figure from the Old Testament composed in 1979. Mro Pace wrote the score for a chamber orchestra, and uses a rather traditional idiom with abundant touches of Middle Eastern / Mediterranean flavour. After being premiered in 1980 on Xandir Malta by the Manoel Theatre Orchestra directed by Joseph Sammut, it is now being performed in its entirety for the first time since then. One movement was played during a similar concert at Mdina Cathedral in 2003.

Soprano Rita Dimech

The second work on the programme is completely contrasting. "It-Triq" is a cantata for soprano and chamber orchestra. Set to a poem by George Zammit, this work uses a comtemporary idiom with the chamber orchestra subtly supporting the voice in illustrating a person’s resolution to follow the road leading to the little child of Betlehem notwithstanding the multiple difficulties encountered with in everyday’s life. Composed in 1974, this work was premiered in 1997 at Mdina Cathedral and was interpreted and directed by soprano Rita Dimech and Colin Attard respectively. The coming performance will be It-triq’s second ever performance and will again be interpreted by Gozitan soprano Dimech, who will be appearing for the fifth time in a Pace concert.

Mro Colin Attard

The third work on the programme is a very early work by Pace dating back to 1929, "Meditazione" composed in a rather simple reflective religious mood in purely romantic style, and premiered in 1948 at the Catholic Action’s auditorium under the composer’s direction. Several arrangements of it are extant. The version being performed during the coming concert is that for string orchestra (edited by Colin Attard) which was last performed in 1999 also at Mdina Cathedral.

This concert will end in a grand style with the Choir performing Pace’s easer Cantata "The Eternal Triumph" that the Mro compsed in 1966.

The Gaulitanus Choir

This cantata is set to a text compiled by the composer himself from the Bible and other liturgical sources, mainly based on some episodes of and reflections on Christ’s resurrection from death. This cantata was premiered in 1966 at the Catholic Institute by the Jesus of Nazareth Choir and Orchestra directed by Fr. Salv Galea. It is arguably the most accessible of Pace’s grand choral works. Scored for soloists, choir and full orchestra it somehow compromises between a romantic and 20th century idiom resulting in a style which is easily communicable to the audience and at the same time fresh and full of poignancy. The soloists taking part are also members of the choir, namely soprano Rita Dimech (Mary Magdalene), tenor Joseph Calleja (Jesus), baritone Joseph Buttigieg (St. Paul), soprano Margaret Plant (1st Angel) and alto Stephanie Buttigieg (2nd Angel) with Rob Ricards as narrator.

The Gaulitanus Choir Orchestra led by Tatjana Chircop will be in attendance. The conductor is Gozitan Colin Attard, who is very closely associated with the Pace concerts having directed all such concerts since 1997.

Afterwards the choir was treated to a small reception at the convent gardens. ]]> http://gaulitanus.com/news/gaulitanus-choir-in-high-mass-at-pompei-church/feed/ http://gaulitanus.com/news/gaulitanus-choir-in-gozo1234-weekend/ http://gaulitanus.com/news/gaulitanus-choir-in-gozo1234-weekend/#comments Tue, 29 Apr 2008 04:30:37 +0000 The Gaulitanus Choir http://gaulitanus.com/?p=179 The Gaulitanus Choir singing on the Cathedral Square in the Gozo1234 Weekend

As a part of the Gozo1234 weekend event this evening the Gaulitanus Choir held a concert at the Gozo Cathedral Stairs. This concert was divided into four distinct intervals with the choir singing different music in each iterval. In This concert the choir was led by its director Mro. Colin Attard and accompanied by its organist Mro. Stephen Attard.

The choir started this concert by singing several sacred pieces that included "Fil-Hlewwa ta’ Mejju" by Giuseppe Caruana ; " Oh Lord My God" - a Swedish Traditional Melody, "Qaddis" and "Glorja" - two movements from the Ta’ Pinu mass composed by Stephen Attard;

The Gaulitanus Choir at the Gozo1234 Event

After these sacred pieces, the choir sang some movements from Bizet’s opera "Carmen" including the ever populat "Torreador". The choir then sang a medley made up of the refrain of several Neapolitan songs which included "La Spagnola", "Tango delle Capinere", "Santa Lucia" and "Funiculi Funicula". The choir concluded this concert by singing several movements from two operettas: "The Geisha" by Sidney Jones and "The Gipsy Baron" by Johann Strauss.

The Gaulitanus Choir in the Sacred Finale

Tenor Terry Shaw singing "Sanctuary of the Heart" in the Sacred Finale concert

For this Sacred Finale concert, the choir sang

• Cantique by Jean Racine composed by Gabriel Faurè;
• Magnificat by Colin Attard featuring Soprano Rita Dimech. Ths Magnificat was specifically composed by Mro. Colin Attard to mark the 50th anniversary of when Mgr. Giuseppe Gauci was ordained a priest. It is to be said that Mgr.Gauci was amongst the honoured guests;
• Sanctuary of the heart by Albert W. Ketèlbey featuring Tenor Terry Shaw amd Jean Noel Attard on the violin;
• O Lord my God - A Swedish Traditional Melody (arrangement by Colin Attard) featuring Bass Darren Vella and Jean Noel Attard on the violin;
• The Lord’s Prayer by Albert Hay Malotte featuring Soprano Rita Dimech Jean Noel Attard on the violin. Again the arrangement was done by Colin Attard and this was the first time that this arrangement was sung in Gozo.
• Quddiesa ‘Madonna Ta’ Pinu’ by Stephen Attard, written specifically to mark the 150 anniversary from the apparition of Our Lady to Karmni Grima at Ta’ pinu and to mark the 25th anniversary of his relationship with Fr. Paul Chetcuti to whom the work was dedicated. Fr. Chetcuti was also present amongst the honoured guests. This was the premiere performance of this mass. The movements of the mass are

i. Mulej ħniena (Lord have mercy)
ii. Glorja (Glory to God)
iii. Qaddis (Holy Lord of Hosts)
iv. Ħaruf t’Alla (Lamb of God)

Soprano Rita Dimech singing "The Lord’s Prayer" in the Sacred Finale concert

Tenor Joseph Calleja and Soprano Rita Dimech singing "The Eternal Triumph" in the Sacred Finale

Britt Smallze ’Live’ at Palazzo Margherita

Britt hails from the Western United States, where she spent much of her youth studying music and theatre. She is a seasoned performer, having exhibited her talents throughout the United States and abroad. Her vast experience includes piano and vocal performance, improvisation comedy, musical theatre as well as playwriting. She has produced and directed her original works onstage, and finds great pleasure in writing musical plays for young audiences. She has devoted much of her education to the arts, having studied privately with professional piano and vocal coaches throughout her lifetime, as well as a formidable formal education.

Britt studied theatre and literature in London, England, and has earned an Associate Degree in Theatre, a Bachelors degree in Music with emphasis in media music and songwriting. Britt was seen by audiences in the Salt Lake City Conference Center Theatre during the 2002 Winter Olymics, and has received numerous awards for her work in stage plays. Her favourite roles include Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady (for which she received the Best Actress Award), Cinderella in Into the Woods, the Narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, among many, and many others.

Britt has also discovered a passion for helping troubled youth, and has worked professionally as a drama and music therapist - helping adolescents to find healing through the arts.

She has recorded two original albums with her cabaret band, Tuesday Night Super Club, and is hoping that a third album will soon be in the making.

For her concert this evening, Britt had prepared a varied programme of popular songs that included:

• New York, New York - music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb;
• How About You from Babes on Broadway, music by Burton Lane, lyrics by Ralph Freed;
• Cabaret from Cabaret, by Kander and Ebb;
• Somewhere Over the Rainbow from The Wizard of Oz, music by Harold Arlen and lyrics by Edgar ’Yip’ Harburg;
• Summertime from Porgy and Bess, music by George Gershwin and lyrics by Du Bose Heyward;
• Embraceable You, music by George Gershwin and lyrics by Ira Gershwin;
• Somebody Loves Me by George Gershwin;
• Strike Up the Band, by George and Ira Gershwin;
• Solitude, music and lyrics by Duke Ellington / Eddie De Lange / Irving Mills;
• Ain’t Misbehavin’, and Honeysuckle Rose, both from Ain’t Misbehavin’, music by Thomas ’Fats’ Waller and lyrics by Andy Razaf;
• Don’t Cry For Me Argentina from Evita, music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Tim Rice.
• Lady is a Tramp from Babes in Arms, music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Lorenz Hart;
• Would’t It Be Loverly, The Rain In Spain and On the Street Where You Live, all from My Fair Lady, music by Frederick Loewe and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner;
• How Deep is Your Love, music and lyrics by Barry / Robin /Maurice, brothers Gibb [The BeeGees];
• Send in the Clowns from A Little Night Music, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim;
• Girl From Ipanema, Muisic by Anonio Carlos Jobim and lyrics by Vincius De Moraes;
• So Nice, music and lyrics by Marcos Valle and Paolo Sergio Valle - (English lyrics by Norman Gimbel);
• Misty, music by Errol Garner and lyrics by Johnny Burke;
• Love is a Many-Splendored Thing from Love is a Many Splendored Thing, music by Sammy Fain and lyrics by Paul Francis Webster;
• All of Me, music and lyrics by Seymour Simons and Gerald Marks; and lastly
• If, music and lyrics by David Gates.

Britt and the Accompanying Friends

During this very enjoyable concert Britt was also accompanied by Franz Frank on the piano, Jean Noël Attard on the violin, and, Herr Gerhard Huber (Suzanne Anatchkova’s father) on the viola. Herr Huber volunteered to take Frank Camilleri ’s place as he was indisposed. Frank was supposed to have played the violincello.

The Gaulitana: A Festival of Music comes to a close tomorrow with the Sacred Finale held at the Gozo Cathedral at 8.00 pm by the Gaulitanus Choir. Afterwards there will be a reception for the guests.

Suzanne Anatchkova in concert at the Aula Mgr. G. Farrugia, St. George’s Basilica

Suzanne Anatchkova comes from a Bavarian musical family and today lives partly in Munich and partly in Paris. She studied piano at Munich’s Music Academy under Professor Friedemann Berger. It was during her time as a student there that she had the opportunity to take part in Life Music Now, a concert given by the famed conductor Yehudi Menuhin. She has since flourished as a fine musician under the personal tutelage of M. Campanella, Karl-Heinz Kammerling and Benedikt Koehlen.

Suzanne is considered to be mainly a solo artist; however she enjoys taking part in ensembles as well and has performed chamber music with Svetosar Anatchkov, first concert master in Munich’s Opera House. As a soloist, Suzanne has participated in concerts throughout all Europe, and has also spent two years performing throughout the United States. She has also regularly appeared in various music festivals, among which the European Weeks and the Musique à la Paris. She is also featured as soloist on the Bavarian TV and radio stations.

Suzanne Anatchkova during her concert at the Aula Mgr. G. Farrugia, St. George’s Basilica

Her repertoire is made up of several impressive works, among them Tschaikovsky’s Piano Concerto in B Minor, Chopin’s Concerto in E minor and Ligeti Etudes. She has recently performed with prestigious organisations such as the Bavarian Symphony Orchestra, the Bavarian Chamber Orchestra, the Camerata Sinfornica of Regensburg, the Munich Opera Orchestra, and the Regensburg university Symphony Orchestra.

Suzanne started today’s concert by playing six works by Frederic Chopin:

i. Nocturne in B flat minor, Op. 9 No. 1;
ii. Etude in C# minor, Op. 10 No. 4;
iii. Etude in E major, Op. 25
iv. Etude in Gb major, Op.10 No 5;
v. Nocturne in D major, Op. 29 No. 2;

The Festival continues tomorrow with a concert by Britt Smallze: My Favourite Songs … with nibbles and drinks to be held at the Palazzo Margherita in Sannat at 8.00 pm.

The Gaulitana: A Festival of Music passed into its ninth representation this evening with the Con Amore concert, held at the Exhibition Hall in St. Francis Square, at 8.00 p.m.

Sarah Spiteri and Alex Vella Gregory in concert at the Exhibition Hall in St. Francis Square

The performers of this concert were Sarah Spiteri on the viola and Alex Vella Gregory on the piano.

Sarah Spiteri started her musical studies in Malta, where she obtained her Licentiate of the Trinity College. In 1990, having won the Bice Mizzi Vassallo music competition, she continued her studies in Lyon, France. Sarah also followed a number of international master classes at the Accademia Chigana, Siena, following courses both in violin technique with Boris Belkin and in computer music with Giorgio Nottoli and Riccardo Santoboni. Sarah holda a B.A. (Hons) in Theatre Studies and a post graduate in Dramatherapy from the University of Surrey, Roehampton. She also has a number of CDs to her credit, featuring works by Charles Camilleri, Nicolò Isouard and Pietro Paolo Bugeja. She also features in the CDs War Cantata, a work by John Cremona and Charles camilleri, Mal-Kant tal-Baħar, a song cycle by Joe Friggieri and Charles Camilleri, and Ġesti where she plays works by Camilleri, Donizetti and ibert together with harpist Ann Marie Camilleri Podesta.

Sarah is currently responsible for music projects at St. James Cavalier, Centre for Creativity, in Malta. Amongst her projects she has successfully launched and is currently managing the Valletta Lunchtime Concert series held at St. Catherine of Italy Church and the Sala Isouard (Teatru Manoel), the series Meet the Composer held every month, and Intimate Letters Series held in palaces and auberges around Malta. She is the leader of St. James consort, a 13-piece string ensemble, with an electic repertoire of baroque and contemporary works. Last April, Sarah adapted and directed a version of Mozart’s The Magic Flute for children at the Teatru Manoel. For the current season, Sarah has been commissioned by the Teatru Manoel to create and direct an original version of Peter and the Wolf enhanced with choreography by Emma Loftus.

Alexander Vella Gregory was born in Malta in 1984. He started his piano and music theory studies at an early age, first with Dr. Dion Buhagiar and later with Mro. Paul Borg and Mro. Laurence Borg. It was under the latter’s guidance that he obtained an Associate of the London College of Music (ALCM) diploma. In 2002 he won the Ian Tomlin Napier / Malta Music Scholarship which enabled him to persue a B.Mus(Hons) degree in composition at the Ian Tomlin School of Music, Napier University, Edinburgh where he graduated in 2006. He is active both as a composer and as a pianist. Current projects include an opera based on the diaries of Anne Frank, a set of Lacrymae for choir and a set of songs for soprano and ensemble.

Sarah Spiteri and Alex Vella Gregory in concert at the Exhibition Hall in St. Francis Square

For this concert, Sarah and Alex chose to treat the audience to and evening with 17th and 18th century works. They started with the Sonata in Bb major -Grave, Allegro con fuoco, Largo and the Allegro vivace by Loillet of London; followed by the Sonata in G major - Siciliana, Vivace, Dolce and Scherzando by Telmann; the Sonata in D major - Allegro moderato, Largherro sostenuto and the Rondeau (Allegretto) by Brunetti; and finally The Billiard Sonata - Andante, Grazioso (Minuet) and Allegro Scherzoso by Giardini.

Each piece was introduced and explained to the audiece by Sarah herself.

The Gaulitana: A Festival of Music continues next Friday the 18th April 2008 at the Aula Mrg. G. Farrugia, St. George’s Basilica, at 8.00 p.m. The performer will be Susanne Anatchkova - from Bavaria, Germany - and she will play six works by Chopin, two by Messiaen, one each by Ravel and Ligeti, and three pieces by Gershwin-Earl Wild.

The Gaulitana: A Festival of Music passed into its eight representation this evening with the Angelic Flutes concert, held at the Gharb Basilica in Gharb, at 8.00 p.m.

Ramona Zammit Formosa and Silvio Zammit in concert

Ramona Zammit Formosa and Silvio Zammit have been active as a duo for the past twelve years. They are both Fellows of the London College of Music and teach at the Johann Strauss School of Music in Valletta.

Particularly due to the versatility of Ramona on the piano, flute and harpsichord, the duo can perform in different combinations of instruments.

Between 1978 and 2001 Silvio was a member of the National Orchestra of Malta. Currently he follows his professional career as a teacher and as a freelance soloist.

In 1998 the duo won the Lloyd Webber medal for distinction in interpretation. They have performed to various solo and chamber recitals in the USA, Italy, Austria, Hungary, Slovakkia and England.

They have also recorded CDs of Maltese music by Pace and Camilleri. In collaboration with the Gukulari Ensemble, they have also recorded CDs of eighteenth and nineteenth century Maltese music. Several Maltese composers have dedicated works for the duo. Their extensive repertoire ranges from the baroque to the contemporary.

The Angelic Flutes Duo: Ramona and Silvio at Gharb

During this evening, Ramona and Silvio treated the audience with Concerto No. 3 in G major - Vivace - Largo - Allegro by J. B. de Boismortier, Four Canons - Moderato - Langsame - Ruhige - Lento by F. Geissler, Sonata in F major - Vivace - Largo - Allegro by G. P. Telemann, Echo by P. Hindemith, Sonata in G major by G. F. Handel (the arrangement for the last three pieces were by Silvio Zammit), Dialogo Angelico by G. Petrassi and Sonata in G major by J. S. Bach - the arrangement for this piece was again by Silvio Zammit.

The next concert in this Gaulitana: A Festival of Music 2008 edition - will be held next Tuesday, the 15th of April at 8.00 pm and the venue is the Exhibition Hall in St. Francis Square, Victoria. The performers will be Sarah Spiteri on the viola and Alex Vella Gregory on the keyboard. These two are presenting works by Loiller of London, Telemann, Brunetti and Giardini.

Mro. Zidani in concert at the Aula Mrg. G. Farrugia, (St. George’s Basilica) on 11th April 2008

Mro. Zidani was born in London in 1973 and grew up in Banbury. He studied music at the Birmingham Conservatoire where he graduated with honours in 1995.

After being selected for advanced performance studies at the Conservatoire, Marcel began his concert career. He has performed extensively, as a soloist, in the UK and in Europe, performing much of the virtuoso concerto repertoire. including Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No.2, Listzt’s Piano Concerto No. 1, and Litolf’s Scherzo.

Marcel is also a composer and his music has influences from a wide range of composers and in it one traces references to Chopin. Liszt, Mozart, Einaudi and Keith Jarret.

The first CD of his works, Piano in the Small Hours, is the result of improvised sessions, often late at night and after a few glasses of wine! It has a mixture of musical qualities, from easy listening with long flowing melodies, to a more classical / romantic piano style appealing to all musical tastes.

His second CD, The New Renaissance, demonstrates a mature progression from the first album. The title dictates a rebirth of the romantic style and is intended to be indicative of a long awaited return to this and other styles. This music is dedicated to those who like a good melody but need something more than much of the "easy listening" music that is so widely available today.

Marcel Zidani has been a long time supporter of Evesham-based The Tracy Sollis Leukemia Trust and donates to this charity a third of each Piano in the Small Hours CD sold.

Mro. Zidani in concert on the 11th April 2008 at the Aula Mgr. G. Farrugia, St. George’s Basilica, Victoria

For this concert Mro. Zidani regaled the audience with Ludwig van Beethoven’s Piano Sonata in D Minor Op. 31 - The Tempest Allegro - Adagio - Allegretto and Franz Liszt’s Etude in Db Major - Un Sospiro. After the interval Mro Zidani treated the captive audience with the first two movements of his own composition Piano Sonata in Two Keys - A New Renaissance:
i) The Renaissance; and
ii) The Secret Waltz;

and then another of his own compositions: Forgotten Heroes.

Mro. Zidani concluded this concert with the Grunfeld arrangement of Soirees de Vienne by Johan Strauss.

The Gaulitana Festival of Music continues on Sunday, 13th April 2008 at the Gharb Basilica in Gharb, Gozo, where the performers will be Ramona Zammit Formosa and Silvio Zammit who have been active as a duo for the past twelve years, with a repertiore that ranges from the baroque to the contemporary.