The West Gippsland Chorale will present the majestic and moving Brahms German Requiem in two concerts at Wesley of Warragul on Friday May 1 at 8pm and Sunday May 3 at 2pm. This inspiring work, which will be sung in an English translation, will be dedicated to the memory of the Chorale's former president, Brian Clarke, who died in 2008, and proceeds will be donated the Gippsland Bushfire Relief Fund.
The two demanding solo parts are both being sung by local singers. The baritone solo will be sung by Nathan Lay, who has developed into a highly talented singer. Since he performed as the Chorale's guest student artist at a previous concert, Nathan has continued his singing career with distinction. The soprano solo is to be sung by the Chorale's Lynne Davine who continues to master demanding solo roles whilst building her teaching practice in Warragul.
The choir will be accompanied by Brian Chapman, piano, Meg Panozzo, organ, and Leon Duncan, timpani.
The Brahms German Requiem is one of the most ambitious works that the chorale has ever undertaken. Artistic Director Jan MacLean has been training the choir in this work since mid 2008, and more recently has invited acclaimed Melbourne conductor Peter Bandy to assist in bringing it up to concert pitch with a series of master classes.
Unlike other requiems, which were traditionally based on the church liturgy, Brahms chose unique biblical selections for his masterpiece. Brahms' mother died while he was composing the work, hence the words and music had very personal implications for him. He wanted the work to be as much a comfort for the living as a remembrance of the dead.
For the West Gippsland Chorale members, this work also has personal memories as both Brian and Vivienne Clarke loved working on it, and the Chorale contributed the chorus How lovely is thy dwelling place for Brian's funeral.
It is also appropriate that this memorial to Brian Clarke should be linked to the Gippsland Bushfire Relief Fund. In the previous Ash Wednesday fires, Brian organized and led relief work in helping affected people recover from that fire.
Tickets for the two concerts are available from Collins Booksellers in Napier Street Warragul, and may also be purchased at the door.