For our Spring concert, we look to the distinctive musical styles of countries in central Europe.
Antonín Dvořák is ever popular for his use of Moravian and Bohemian folk music and rhythms, particularly in his symphonies. In this concert we perform his most popular sacred work – The Stabat Mater. Its composition was prompted by the deaths in infancy of his first three children and it sets the 20 verses of a 13th-century Christian hymn to Mary that portrays her suffering as Jesus Christ’s mother during his crucifixion.
The other half of this concert features a work by the Hungarian composer Zoltán Kodály. His Psalmus Hungaricus was composed one hundred years ago to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the unification of Buda, Pest and Óbuda to form the modern Hungarian capital city. The work, for chorus, orchestra and tenor soloist was last performed by the Society in 1986.
Buxton Musical Society Chorus & Orchestra
Sam Hayes – conductor Michael Williams – conductor Olivia Carrel – soprano Andrew Mackenzie Wicks – tenor Frances Gregory – mezzo-soprano Ross Cummings – bass
