“From Tallis to Rutter”—the phrase describes the vast scope of the Great British Choral Tradition. Thomas Tallis was an Elizabethan musical star in the 16th century, while five centuries later, in the same tradition, John Rutter writes some of the most imaginative choral music to be found anywhere today.
The motet Spem in Alium is in forty, yes forty— parts, and moves through myriad combinations to form a stunning vocal kaleidoscope.
Composed in 1985 as a tribute to his father, Rutter’s smooth but modern Requiem often nods fondly towards some of the composer’s own musical “fathers”, including Fauré, Mahler, and Gershwin.
Separating Tallis from Rutter, Vaughan Williams appears through his ravishing instrumental work based on everyone’s favourite English folksong Greensleeves.
Morag Atchison, Soprano
Auckland Choral
Pipers Sinfonia
Uwe Grodd, Conductor
Tickets are available at eventfinda.co.nz or phone 0800 BUYTIXS (0800 289 8497).
Price $45, concessions available.
Please note that some seats have obstructed views.
Keith spent most of his life as a self-employed freelance graphic designer after graduating with a degree in fine arts. Over several further years of study he obtained professional qualifications in advertising, marketing and tertiary teaching, enjoying being a tutor for fifteen years introducing graphic design to young students, then seven years as a part-time senior lecturer in graphic design at AUT University. He has been a self-taught church organist from the age of thirteen, and since 2002 he has been the Parish Elder, Administrator and Organist in the large multicultural Onehunga Co-operating Parish. His love of singing, church and organ music was nurtured from an early age in a musical family. Since 1980 he has sung Bass in Auckland Choral, conducted by Ray Wilson, Peter Watts, Professor Uwe Grodd and many other inspiring and talented musicians. To quote from Hallelujahs & History “...for bass Keith Guyan, Auckland Choral has everything: thrilling repertoire, inspiring conductor, friendly and caring singers, satisfying discipline, high musical standards and the privilege of performing some of the masterpieces of choral writing”.
Lisa has been in the choir since 1974 with the exception of a couple of years when she was busy with small children.
David Hamilton has been singing with the choir since 1982, and is currently President of Auckland Choral. He is a music educator, composition tutor, choral conductor and adjudicator. He has been Deputy Music Director of Auckland Choral (1996-2011) and Composer-in-Residence with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra (1999). In 2013 he was guest composer at the national choral event Sing Aotearoa, and in 2015 composer-in-residence at the NZ Singing School. He has won a number of international composer competitions (Italy, USA, UK, and Israel) and in 2014 “Wairua” for solo harp took 1st place in the NZ Harp Society’s competition. In 2016 “American Triptych” took 1st place in a competition for the Stockton Chorale (USA). In 2017 “Are We There Yet?” took 1st place in the Australia and NZ Viola Society composer’s competition, and “Cling to Me” was placed third in the 4th Komos Choral Composition Competition (Bologna, Italy). The choir has commissioned a number of works from him, most recently “
