In memory of Dr Peter Macdonald, Cantamus Founder.
The 1798 Nelson Mass is regarded as Haydn’s greatest single composition. At the time, Napoleon’s armies had crossed the Alps and threatened Vienna itself: Haydn’s own title for the work was Missa in Angustiis (Mass for troubled times). But on 1 August Admiral Horatio Nelson defeated Napoleon at the Battle of the Nile, and the mass acquired the nickname the Nelson Mass. Choirs love to sing this spirited work. From the stark forte opening D Minor unison octave-fall ‘Ky-ri-e!’, to the contrapuntal high-register entries of the waterfall-tumbling motif in the final D Major Dona Nobis chorus, it offers a spectacular opportunity to enthral contemporary audiences, with distinctly individual movements – fresh, intricate, intimate, emotionally powerful, and, yes, cool, and jazzy.
And the icing on the cake of this must-see Concert is the magnificent Gloria, Vivaldi’s most familiar and popular sacred work. Anyone who loves soul-grabbing good music with beautiful melodies, drama and texture should be at All Saints Church Chigwell Row, Essex, on Saturday 15th June 2019, to experience the Cantamus Bach Choir & Orchestra of London presenting the Nelson Mass and Gloria.
“Cantamus has achieved an enviable reputation for ensemble instrumental accuracy and interpretation quality, and warm and emotional vocal communication, of classic choral works” says Dr Stephen Castell, its Patron. “In this 60th Anniversary Concert, in memory of its Founder, Cantamus will deliver a performance that will, as ever, excite and entertain”.