“An intoxicating fusion of two genius composers writing at the heights of their powers” – This is how the St George’s Cathedral Master of Music describes an upcoming collaboration with West Australian Symphony Orchestra (WASO).
On 5 April, Dr Joseph Nolan will direct the Cathedral Consort, WASO and Australia’s top soloists to present two thrilling works by Mozart and Haydn. Mozart’s Great Mass is a revered masterpiece whose dark monumentality is unique in the composer’s sacred vocal music, and whose unfinished nature has radiated an aura of mystery down the centuries. Haydn’s Nelson Mass is one of jubilation, with exuberant choral writing and vocal solos radiating hope and joy.
For this star-studded performance, the Cathedral is delighted to see two of Australia’s most talented soloists, Samantha Clarke and Ashlyn Tymms, make their debut with St George’s Cathedral Concert Series. They will be joined by the equally revered Fiona Campbell, David Greco and Paul McMahon.
David Greco says he is excited to be singing the two Masses back to back for the first time:
“Haydn saved his most sublime music for the church, and his joyous mass settings take me back to my days at Westminster Abbey. Mozart’s Great Mass also occupies a special place in my heart; apart from the phenomenal choral and ensemble writing, it is the work with which I received my professional debut as a soloist.”
The Cathedral’s annual collaboration with WASO has become a much anticipated event on the Perth Concert Hall calendar, taking classical sacred music to a wide audience. This highlight performance at Perth Concert Hall is the first in the 2023 season of St George’s Cathedral Concert Series – a boutique collection of sublime sounds.
Later in the year, the Cathedral launches a new partnership with the Australian String Quartet and presents soul-stirring experiences by WA’s favourite artists: Sara Macliver, Fiona Campbell and Joseph Nolan himself, who will present the Sir Francis Burt Memorial Concert.
Joseph describes the 2023 season as continuing to maintain the Concert Series’ reputation for top quality music:
“We are doing what we always do, and that is to strive for the highest level of music making, free of gimmicks and politics. St George’s Cathedral Concert Series is purely about the beauty of music.”
According to music reviewer Will Yeoman’s 2022 article in Limelight Magazine:
“St George’s Cathedral Concert Series has, under Dr Joseph Nolan’s artistic direction, always felt like a fissure of frisson in the rock-face of banality. And it’s growing wider. That’s to say, regardless of whatever else is going on artistically in Perth, the series has, from year to year, offered … premiere performances …”
