Bel a cappella | Mass for Saint Cecilia
November 23, 2024, Christ Church St Laurence, Sydney
Monica Buckland conductor
David Drury organ
Christopher Sainsbury Upon a high rock platform
Herbert Howells* A Hymn for St Cecilia
Cecilia McDowall Cecilia, busy like a bee
Sarah MacDonald Cantica Sanctae Ceciliae**
Judith Bingham* Consider Saint Cecilia
Katharine Parton CECILIA**
Paul Stanhope Lament to Saint Cecilia
Daniel Knaggs* Hymn to St Cecilia
Frank Martin Mass for Double Choir (1922)
* Accompaniment: organ
** World premiere
With great composers like Purcell, Handel and Britten writing music in honour of Saint Cecilia, the patron saint of music and musicians, it is lovely to see new additions to this tradition from Australian composers being presented in Sydney. Bel a Cappella is very active in supporting the creation of new compositions for unaccompanied choir and in their final concert of 2024 in the historic Christ Church St Laurence, Sydney they presented, amongst a program of vocal riches two premieres, Cantica Sanctae Ceciliae by Sarah MacDonald and Cecilia by Melbourne composer Katharine Parton.
MacDonald’s work is surely a favourite of this choir with its hints of plainsong, lush harmonies at times and a tilt to the choral music of Benjamin Britten creating an instant familiarity. Parton’s new work started with just the altos singing and it was a welcome variety of tone. The music also had moments of repeated phrases over which small melodies were allowed to soar. It helps any composer to have a conductor who is knowledgeable and skilled in directing the musical forces presenting any work let alone a premiere and in Monica Buckland the composers have a excellent champion directing not only all the entries but shaping the music and demanding attention to detail and creating a wide array of tonal variety.
The good-sized audience also displayed their appreciation for works by Paul Stanhope and an up tempo Hymn to St Cecilia by USA composer Daniel Knaggs. Here and in two other works David Drury displayed why he is one of Australia’s leading organists with not only his deft touch but an intriguing selection of tonal changes.
The main work in the concert was the Mass for Double Choir from 1922 by the Swiss composer Frank Martin. It is an early work in his compositional output and he employed many techniques that he would have heard in choral music from 1400 through to the time of Bach and even beyond. It is nearly always traditional in its approach to melody, harmony and rhythm and Bel a Cappella was equal to the challenges presented by the composer. It was the first time I have heard this work live and I was pleased to experience it in this lovely Sydney icon church. Brava/bravo to Bel a Cappella and Monica Buckland.
