24 & 25 May 2025

 

 

Mostly Mozart

 

 

Whakatāne Music lovers are in for a treat as the acclaimed Edgecumbe Choir prepares to present an extraordinary concert of classical choral masterpieces featuring the works of two of classical music’s greatest composers: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Franz Joseph Haydn.

 

This carefully curated program will feature Mozart’s celebrated Coronation Mass and the uplifting Exultate Jubilate, alongside Haydn’s serene Salve Regina. 

 

Mozart’s Coronation Mass, composed in 1779, is a cornerstone of the choral repertoire. It embodies the composer’s mastery of form and emotion, showcasing his ability to blend grandeur with intimacy. The work’s jubilant Gloria and reflective Agnus Dei (the prototype for Mozart’s most famous operative aria, Dove sono from Marriage of Figaro) are sure to resonate with audiences, creating a powerful musical experience.  Beauty, gracefulness, and elegance abound in this beloved choral work. 

 

This wonderfully optimistic and joyful piece of music ironically comes from a very difficult time in Mozart’s life. Freshly returned to his family home in Salzburg, Mozart had spent the previous 18 months trying to find work in Europe but no avail.  With no prospects for employment, it was his frustrated father, Leopold, who eventually secured for him a position in Salzburg Cathedral.  The Coronation Mass is the musical jewel of his time there as composer. Mozart’s relationship with the cathedral, and especially the Cardinal of Salzburg would famously become strained. 

 

The work was posthumously given the nickname “coronation” as, due to its abundant beauty and happiness, it became the preferred mass for royal and imperial coronations at the Imperial Court in Vienna during the nineteenth century. But it was most likely just intended by Mozart as the Easter Mass in 1779. 

 

Complementing this, the concert will also feature the Exultate Jubilate, a virtuosic solo motet that showcases the extraordinary range and expressiveness of the soprano voice. The Edgecumbe Singers are delighted to welcome back soprano, Elizabeth Mandeno, who performed to critical acclaim as she made her Whakatāne debut as Eve in last year’s performance of Haydn’s Creation. With its lively rhythms and bright melodies, this piece radiates joy and exuberance, making it a favourite among performers and audiences alike.

 

Composed in 1773, some six years before the Coronation Mass, the Exultate Jubilate was written while Mozart was premiering one of his operas in Milan. This virtuosic work was written to further showcase the talents of his star soprano in his opera at the time.  The “Alleluia” aria, famous for featuring just the one word, is considered to be one of the very happiest melodies ever penned by Mozart. 

 

Additionally, the program will include Haydn’s Salve Regina, a beautifully crafted work that balances grace with profound emotional depth. This piece offers a moment of reflection, inviting listeners to engage with its serene harmonies and gentle lyricism.

 

The Salve Regina was written in 1770-71 during Haydn’s tenure as composer-in-residence for the wealthy Esterhazy princes and would have been performed in their private chapel at Eisenstadt. The work is distinguished by its inspired and creative accompaniment which demonstrates Haydn’s mastery at the keyboard. 

 

The performance will feature a line up of talented soloists and will be conducted by Musical Director, Chalium Poppy, known for his dynamic interpretations and engaging presence on the podium.

 

When asked about the selection of these works for a programme, Poppy said, “These works are a representation of humanity’s outstanding musical and artistic achievement. To perform them well, and honour the music, demands a unique level of excellence and skill from the singers. The perception of a choir is often that it is a singular unit; but it it one body made up of many parts - the singers - who must work together to achieve in the most idiosyncratic ways.  So, it is really the cooperative community spirit and combined collaborative achievement of many individuals which breathes fresh life into these old masterpieces.  A choir must collectively hone its skills through dedication and determination. They work hard. The creative process that is choral music does not occur overnight.  I appreciate this about the Edgecumbe Choir - they possess a desire to do things well - to constantly improve and strive for excellence in all the music they perform. They don’t back away from the challenge of rehearsal.”

 

Speaking to the relevance of these works today, Poppy continued, “The achievements of these classical composers holds a direct influence over the musical language and landscape of modern composers today.  What Mozart and Haydn accomplished musically has all been passed down to even the youngest composers of today.  Music, by its very nature is a whakapapa - a genealogical continuum of sound to which many have added their own unique colour and flavour over the course of centuries.  Moreover and perhaps more simply, these works radiate beauty and the world needs more beauty at the moment - in its myriad of forms.”

 

Don’t miss this opportunity to experience the brilliance of Mozart and Haydn in a live performance that promises to inspire and uplift.  Join us for a night of dazzling musical beauty and elegance.