The next performance by the Gisborne Singers will be their first major work by the 19th Century German composer, Johannes Brahms. Brahms “A German Requiem” is one of the world’s great choral works which speaks to audiences of all or no faiths with its recurring themes of sympathy and comfort.

It is known as “A German Requiem” because, unlike many choral requiems, it uses lyrics from the Lutheran Bible, rather than the Catholic Mass. The composer said that the work was intended to comfort the living, rather than remember the dead.

This is the first major performance for 2017 for the Macedon Ranges based choir, The Gisborne Singers, following two sold out performances of Handel’s Messiah at the end of 2016.

Musical Director Stephen Brockman said that the Brahms Requiem is a beautiful and intense work which will appeal to audiences in the Macedon Ranges. “Our audience has enthusiastically supported our concerts in recent years, from Handel to Beethoven right through to contemporary composers such as Sir Karl Jenkins. We look forward to sharing this intense, moving and yet very accessible work,” he said.

The choir will be joined by two of their favourite soloists, soprano Lee Abrahmsen and bass Manfred Pohlenz with a full orchestra. The entire work will be sung in English.

The first performance is at Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church, Kyneton at 3pm on Sunday 21 May. The second performance is at Gisborne Church of Christ, at 3pm on Sunday 28 May. Please book online at www.gisbornesingers.org.au or phone 0413003254. Tickets are $40 for adults with discounts for concessions and students.
 
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO ARRANGE PHOTOGRAPHS PLEASE CONTACT ROBERT BLAIR  03 5428 7033

The Gisborne singers will be performing George Frederic Handel's Masterpiece “Messiah” on Nov 20 and 27 2016.  We will be singing the world famous Harold Watkins Shaw edition.  Watkins Shaw, a musicologist and educator, compiled this Novello choral edition of the “Messiah” between 1957 to 1965 and the choir is very excited to be singing it.

Performances, with soloists and orchestra and directed by Stephen Brockman, will be on Nov 20 and 27.

Tickets are $40, $35 concession, $20 students, and under 12 free. Afternoon tea is provided after the concert.
Bookings: www.gisbornesingers.org.au 
or 04130032554.

The May 2016 performances of 3 Coronation Anthems (Handel) and the Mass in C (Beethoven) are now available on the Recordings page,

Video recordings of items from the Gisborne Singers' performances of Rossini's Petit Messe Solonnelle and Jenkin's The Armed Man are now available on YouTube. You can find links to them on our Recording's page.

This program opened with the iconic suspense of Zadok the Priest, before elegant renditions of the other coronation anthems. The Singers tackled the difficulties of singing Handel convincingly: the required breath control, and his inspired but sometimes awkward text. Amongst the soloists, soprano Lee Abrahamsen stood out for her outstanding projection and clarity in a less-than-ideal acoustic environment. 

The Beethoven Mass in C is full of pathos and pity for the plight of human beings. It was received badly upon its first performance in 1807 and remains one of his lesser-performed major works. However, this performance honoured and captured its eccentricities, its melancholy and its energetic triumphalism. The Agnus Dei in particular was beautifully plaintive. The Mass is now regarded as an underrated masterpiece. 

The orchestra was a joy, with flawless intonation, and an even elegance throughout. 
It was also great to see the program acknowledge in detail the history, experience, and valued contribution of accompanist, Alan Grinton. 

Conductor Stephen Brockman continues to find a balance between the familiar and unfamiliar in extending both the Singers and the public.