WITH a 60-voice choir, 25-member orchestra, a mighty church organ and a soprano, the world premiere of The Day is Ended cantata is ready to shake the rafters of St Joseph’s Church in Warrnambool this Saturday.
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The cantata has been composed by Warrnambool man Ken Stott, who will conduct the magnus opus that is the Warrnambool Symphony Orchestra’s most ambitious work.
Professor Stott said while the cantata would use the full power of the massed voices and instruments available, it was principally a reflective work about the peaceful end of the day.
“It’s very tuneful with memorable melodies,” Professor Stott said.
He took six months to write the 40-minute cantata, which is his biggest work yet.
Professor Stott, an organist and choir master in his youth, has composed many choral works, as well as music for the pipe organ and sacred music, and has a background in education leadership. However, he said composing music had always been his first love.
Professor Stott said he was keen for community involvement in the first performance of the cantata and to allow local people the opportunity to take part in a large-scale musical event. He has already achieved that with the choir, whose members come from throughout the south-west.
Choristers have been drawn from Warrnambool vocal groups the Merri Singers and Cantori as well as the Hamilton Singers.
Others are coming from Camperdown, Simpson, Terang and Noorat. Choral director is Jeanette Hajncl, a local musician and composer, who said The Day is Ended deserved to become a staple of the choral repertoire.
Orchestra president John MacInnes said having a major work created by a Warrnambool composer was inspiring.
“Our instrumentalists and singers are delighted to be part of this magnificent new project and have worked enthusiastically in preparing for the premiere,” Mr MacInnes said.
“We are fortunate to have Craig Doherty playing the organ. He was director of music at St David’s cathedral, Hobart, from 1996 to 2013, and now plays organ and cello in the music team at St John’s Presbyterian Church in Warrrnambool.
“We are also delighted that acclaimed local soprano Anita Senior will be the soloist,” Mr MacInnes said. Tickets for the 7.30pm performance are available at Collins Booksellers, Dale Cleves Music and at the door.
