Concert by the Napier Civic Choir
Directed by Jose Aparicio
Accompanied by the Hawke's Bay Orchestra, leader Stephanie Buzzard
St John's Cathedral, Napier, Friday, July 1
Music by Schubert, Wagner and Mozart
Reviewed by Peter Williams
Schubert certainly knew how to write music for singers - he wrote more than 600 wonderful songs in his short lifetime - and this was clearly shown in his brief Stabat Mater in G minor, D 175 opening the programme, an example of liturgical music within the Catholic Church.
It is a sombre work relating to the crucifixion of Christ and the choir gave full rein to the expressive possibilities of the music, with a rich, sonorous sound.
The orchestral accompaniment, while sometimes too heavy, certainly emphasised the drama of the music.
Lisa Harper-Brown is a consummate soprano soloist. Her singing of the Wesendonck Lieder, WWV 91 by Schubert was impeccable, with a range of expression that perfectly captured the character of each of the five contrasted songs.