Spring Concert: Mozart and Dvořák

The Stonehaven Chorus will present two magnificant choral works at their May concert this year, conducted by Ralph Jamieson.

Mozart’s Mass in C Major was completed in 1779. While it was almost certainly performed soon after in Salzburg Cathedral, the first documented performance was in 1792 at the coronation of Francis II as Holy Roman Emperor in 1792. It acquired the Krönungsmesse (Coronation Mass) title later in the early nineteenth century after becoming the preferred music for royal and imperial coronations as well as services of thanksgiving.

The work is notable for its grand scale, expressive choral writing, and intricate orchestration. The Coronation Mass consists of six movements, including the jubilant Gloria, the contemplative Credo, and the triumphant Sanctus. The piece culminates in a vibrant Agnus Dei, showcasing Mozart’s mastery of sacred music, combining lyrical beauty and dramatic energy. The mass stands as a testament to Mozart’s ability to elevate the liturgical genre, making it a centerpiece of his choral works.

Dvořák’s Svatá Ludmila (Saint Ludmila), Op. 71, composed in 1872, is a choral cantata that reflects the composer’s deep connection to his Czech heritage and devotion to his faith. Written to honor the memory of Saint Ludmila, the grandmother of Saint Wenceslas and a key figure in the Christianization of the Czech lands, the work is a powerful blend of lush Romanticism and Czech folk-inspired elements. The cantata is scored for soloists, choir, and orchestra, with Dvořák’s characteristic warmth and expressive melodies at the forefront. The music conveys both the solemnity and reverence of the subject matter, with rich harmonic textures and vibrant choral writing. Svatá Ludmila showcases Dvořák’s burgeoning mastery of large-scale vocal forms and remains an important work in his early choral repertoire.

The Chorus will perform a new shortened version of the work, arranged by our conductor Ralph Jamieson in English for organ, piano, brass, timpani, soloists and choir, with a narrator filling in the gaps in the story.