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3MBS MARATHON: BEETHOVEN Mass in C

by Julie McErlain 27th February, 2020
by Julie McErlain 27th February, 2020

What a fantastic celebration of the anniversary of Beethoven’s 250th birthday was programmed by 3MBS Fine Music Melbourne at the Recital Centre. What a superb array of soloists and ensembles were featured in six major concerts – including Melbourne Chamber Orchestra, the Australian, Flinders and Goldner String Quartets, Arcadia Winds and Ensemble Liaison, plus a celebrated list of instrumental and vocal soloists. The additional Youth Program, which offered a musical Birthday Party for children, as well as an afternoon Masterclass Series, was a creditable offering in this quality program. This was the 7th MBS Marathon event, broadcast and streamed live, with brilliant technical planning.

Julie Houghton delivered a warm official welcome, and Loretta Perkins opened the first concert with a reading from selections of Beethoven’s letters, an insightful and engaging link preceding each concert in the program. This intimately connected the audience with the mind and heart of Beethoven and was warmly received by listeners.

Completed and premiered in 1807, the Mass in C is the first of Beethoven’s two fairly conventional settings for the liturgical texts of the Mass. What strikes us is the almost secular sound, huge symphonic chords and Romantic expression, intense crescendos and abrupt climaxes in a dense and colourful world of sound. From the low, dark, bass beginnings, the 60-voice Royal Philharmonic Choir ascended with much power, with an assertive dramatic presence, skilfully voicing the rapid onslaught of passionate crescendos and dynamic contrasts. The power that came from the choir belied its true size, showing mature and confident balanced voices, with a wise staging of central male voices and female sections to the sides. Conductor Andrew Wailes inspires and insists on great attention to detail, honest interpretation and enunciation of text, balance in choral and instrumental accompaniment of the four solo voices, and passionate contrasts of feeling and tone colour.

The Gloria allowed for the richly colourful punctuation and word-painting to have prominence – “And on Earth, peace’’ felt with extreme softnesses, not with loss of pace nor conviction, and “We praise thee” bringing the brass and timpani to the foreground. “Have mercy upon us” was performed with more restrained tempo, gentleness, beauty and humility with the prayerfulness of the contrasting minor key. A highlight was the gentle vocal repetition of the text “miserere”, a single pitch repeated, with the sensitive accompaniment of pizzicato basses. The ensemble was splendid in exuding triumph and power in the glory of the Amen, with soloists skilfully leading the contrapuntal lines with dynamic pitch and clarity.

The discipline, blend and projection from the RMP choir excelled in the opening lines of“Credo”, as particularly solid sopranos added excitement and power to the chords. Beethoven’s towering, dramatic chords were given the full colour and emotion desired, and the impressive soprano section added security, drama and intensity. Soprano Zara Barrett added almost Wagnerian stature with her golden solos, although at times her vibrato could be considered a little wide in the interpretation of religious works. The strength and lustre of tenor Henry Choo also projected well above the combined choir and 3MBS Orchestra’s expressive passages, with some remarkable breath control gaining our admiration. It was in the soft and more spiritual texts for the quartet that mezzo Shakira Dugan and baritone Nicholas Dinopoulos showed their musicality, technical ability, clarity of line and diction, and gorgeous tones, well blended in unison or a capella sections, (notably in the Sanctus – “Benedictus qui venit”) but not given as prominent a showing when Beethoven’s writing took them to their lowest, darkest but softer notes. The performance of the final lines of “Credo” was emotionally rousing, as intricate contrapuntal lines between soloists and individual orchestral instruments were accurate and pitch perfect.

It is in the Sanctus that Beethoven shows less symphonic grandeur, and a more mellow and reverential score allows a lighter prayerfulness and spirituality. The extreme contrasts of volume still punctuated where the text required, but solo woodwind instruments held delightful conversation with the soloists’ phrases.

The final part, Kyrie, with a text demanding piety, humility and mercy, was nevertheless given the full symphonic powerful entrance by the full ensemble, triple fortissimo, as if Beethoven was still going to shake the heaven and earth. Only with “miserere nobis” and “dona nobis pacem” did he show more sorrowful word-painting. Both unaccompanied choir and vocal soloists had the chance to shine with their musicality and gorgeous contrasting tones. Wailes kept the tempo forward, keeping conviction and strength, still maintaining  beauty and reverence. French horn and woodwinds added heavenly colours. Seen as an innovation by some, the last sixteen bars of this Agnus Dei adopted a new language of peace and repose, with a moving and more spiritual resolution in the fading cadence. Quite a contrast to the explosive opening.

There were spontaneous shouts of “Bravo!” for this grand opening by an accomplished choir, orchestra, soloists and masterful conductor with an exemplary, exciting and heartfelt quality performance.

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Julie McErlain reviewed the performance of Beethoven’s Mass in C given by the Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Choir and 3MBS Orchestra, conducted by Andrew Wailes, as part of the 3MBS Marathon Beethoven Festival at the Melbourne Recital Centre on February 23, 2020.

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Julie McErlain

Julie McErlain has a passionate love of and involvement with many kinds of music. Classically trained, she completed a bachelor of Music at the University of Melbourne with Honours in Piano and Composition, also studying oboe, percussion and guitar, and completing a sub-major in English. She supported herself as a student playing at Ballet Victoria and Australian Ballet schools, in musical theatre groups and in the wider entertainment industry as a solo pianist, and in a wide variety of classical, popular, folk and jazz ensembles. She has an active involvement in performing regularly in classical music concerts, jazz and contemporary music, also playing the saxophone and creating the first Women & Jazz festival and workshop series in Melbourne in 1981. Always a music teacher, conductor, concert and festival goer, Julie was Music Concert Reviewer for the Warrnambool STANDARD for three years, covering all styles of major music performances, promoting local music and reviewing major Australian artists and companies. She loves having the opportunity to hear new music, be inspired and challenged to use her creative writing skills, and contribute to promoting unique musical performances.

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Songmakers Australia: Schwanengesang

August 1 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Songmakers Australia: Schwanengesang

Program Franz Schubert Schwanengesang D 957 Songmakers Australia Schubert’s last song cycle was published after his untimely death at the age of…

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Seraphim Trio – Gallic Charm

August 1 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Seraphim Trio – Gallic Charm

A performance of cherished works and Gallic beauty. About the artists Seraphim Trio is as much a lifelong friendship as a…

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11:30 am - 12:40 pm

Mostly Mozart – Musical Mavericks

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Mostly Mozart – Musical Mavericks

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Ray Chen

August 6 @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Ray Chen

World-renowned violinist Ray Chen makes his long-awaited return to Australia with some of the most demanding, impressive, and emotionally riveting works…

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2 events, 7

2:30 pm - 3:30 pm

Flinders Quartet Concert 2

August 7 @ 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm

Flinders Quartet Concert 2

Join Flinders Quartet for the sumptuous romanticism and grandeur of Brahms, and the ingenuity and wit of Haydn. Thibaud Pavlovic-Hobba -…

$29 – $38
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Corpus Medicorum Concert #3

August 7 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Corpus Medicorum Concert #3

Corpus Medicorum Rebirth 2022 Concert Series. Artists Charlotte Miles cellist Keith Crellin OAM conductor Program Edward Elgar Cello Concerto, Op.85 Antonín Dvořák Symphony No.7…

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Stewart Kelly – Schubert’s Swansong

August 8 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Stewart Kelly – Schubert’s Swansong

A journey to the corners of human experience with Schubert’s Schwanengesang. About the artists Stewart Kelly is one of Australia’s most sought-after…

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6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Melbourne Guitar Quartet – Flow My Tears

August 11 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Melbourne Guitar Quartet – Flow My Tears

Innovative arrangements, technical flair and superb playing. About the artists Melbourne Guitar Quartet have carved out a reputation for curating utterly…

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3:00 pm - 4:15 pm Recurring

Rutter’s Requiem and the 16th RMP Aria Final

August 14 @ 3:00 pm - 4:15 pm Recurring

Rutter’s Requiem and the 16th RMP Aria Final

Now firmly established as one of Australia’s most prestigious singing events, the RMP Aria is Australia’s pre-eminent competition for oratorio soloists.…

$25 – $56
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

The University of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra

August 14 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

The University of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra

The University of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra’s third concert of the year takes us through works by Benjamin Britten, Don Bank, and…

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7:00 pm - 10:00 pm Recurring

Rutter’s Requiem and the 16th RMP Aria Final

August 14 @ 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm Recurring

Rutter’s Requiem and the 16th RMP Aria Final

Now firmly established as one of Australia’s most prestigious singing events, the RMP Aria is Australia’s pre-eminent competition for oratorio soloists.…

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2:30 pm - 4:00 pm

Real and Right and True – Lotte Betts-Dean and Calvin Bowman

August 20 @ 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm

Real and Right and True – Lotte Betts-Dean and Calvin Bowman

"Real and Right and True" - a celebration of the art song tradition of Australia and the United Kingdom. Lotte Betts-Dean,…

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Wanderlust

The Friends of the Auburn Tower Inc presents Wanderlust, featuring Elyane Laussade, piano, and Luke Severn, bass baritone, in a musical…

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August 1
August 1 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Songmakers Australia: Schwanengesang

August 1 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Seraphim Trio – Gallic Charm

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August 3 @ 11:30 am - 12:40 pm

Mostly Mozart – Musical Mavericks

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August 6
August 6 @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Ray Chen

August 7
August 7 @ 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm

Flinders Quartet Concert 2

August 7 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Corpus Medicorum Concert #3

August 8
August 8 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Stewart Kelly – Schubert’s Swansong

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August 11
August 11 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Melbourne Guitar Quartet – Flow My Tears

August 14
August 14 @ 3:00 pm - 4:15 pm Recurring

Rutter’s Requiem and the 16th RMP Aria Final

August 14 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

The University of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra

August 14 @ 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm Recurring

Rutter’s Requiem and the 16th RMP Aria Final

August 20
August 20 @ 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm

Real and Right and True – Lotte Betts-Dean and Calvin Bowman

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Wanderlust

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August 14
August 14 @ 3:00 pm - 4:15 pm Recurring

Rutter’s Requiem and the 16th RMP Aria Final

August 14 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

The University of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra

August 14 @ 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm Recurring

Rutter’s Requiem and the 16th RMP Aria Final

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August 20
August 20 @ 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm

Real and Right and True – Lotte Betts-Dean and Calvin Bowman

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September 4 @ 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm

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