The concert featured three works by the little-known Viennese classical composer Marianna Martines, and was the brainchild of conductor David Beattie. Performers were the 12-voiced Oamaru Chorale, four Dunedin-based soloists and pianist Mike Crowl.
The opening work Miserere mei Deus (Psalm 51) was performed by the Oamaru Chorale with Christine Turner at the organ and conducted by David Beattie.
Beattie’s conducting was at all times clear and concise, resulting in pleasing, clearly delineated phrases.
The two Oamaru-based soloists, Alicia Sewell (soprano) and Lyndal Mulligan (alto), were excellent.
Although not without some flaws, the performance revealed the beauty of Martines’ music — magnificent melodies, classical elegance, emotional intensity and adept vocal writing.
Crowl presented the Keyboard Sonata in E Major.
This three-movement sonata was expertly played by Crowl with expressive use of dynamic contrasts throughout.
The repeated finger patterns in the opening allegro movement were particularly impressive.
The middle movement showed once again Martines’ melodic mastery, and the final allegro displayed some dramatic flair in her keyboard writing.
The final work on the programme was Martines’ six-part work Dixit Dominus for chorus and soloists.
This was confidently accompanied by pianist Turner and passionately conducted by Beattie.
Soloists Rosie Auchinvole, Rosie McAllister, Teddy Finney Waters and Kieran Kelly sang both with the choir and as soloists as required.
Their voices added a sense of balance to the overall choral sound.
Particularly fine were the soprano and alto duet Virgam Virtutis, the alto solo Tecum Principium and the Dominus a Dextris for all four soloists.
The final movement Gloria Patri provided a solid yet sensitive ending to this concert.
Beattie is to be congratulated for drawing our attention to this composer. She deserves to be more widely recognised.
