Sacred music concert ‘overwhelming’
CRAIGHALL PARK - The audience was, in the words of parish priest Father Shaun von Lillienfeld, "overwhelmed" by a performance of Giovanni Battista Pergolesi's Stabat Mater.
The performance took place at St Martin de Porres Catholic Church, and was followed by a “lenten high tea”.
The work, an 18th century musical setting of a mediaeval poem that reflects on the crucifixion of Jesus Christ through the eyes of his mother, Mary, was performed by contralto Maggie Mendelsohn and soprano Riana Voster.
Pianist Janis Myburgh accompanied the singers. Speaking before the singers took to the sanctuary, Von Lillienfeld said it was appropriate that Stabat Mater was being performed during Lent, a penitential season to prepare for the celebration of Christ’s death and resurrection at Easter.
“I am indebted to Mendelsohn, Voster and Myburgh for coming to our parish,” he said.
“The singers performed at an Italian evening at the church last year. That night they told me that they were learning Stabat Mater, and I immediately asked them if they would perform it here.”
Mendelsohn said it was a pity the composer, Pergolesi, died at the age of 25. “Who knows what he might have produced had he lived longer,” she said.
Pergolesi divided the 20-stanza poem into 12 movements, generally alternating between slow, mournful pieces and more up-tempo, lighter pieces; skilfully expressed by the singers’ soaring voices.
“The performance was magnificent,” said Von Lillienfeld. “It was almost as though Pergolesi gave his all for this piece. I hope we continue to be inspired by the words and music.”
