The Culwick celebrates 110 years! April 26, 2008
Dublin, Dublin 2
The Culwick Choral Society, one of the great choirs of Dublin, celebrates 110 years of unbroken contribution to choral music in Ireland with a beautiful all-French programme ranging from the poignancy of Faure’s Requiem through the stirring urgency of Ravel’s Menuet Antique to the sheer exuberance of Poulenc’s Gloria.
The Culwick Choral Society
Sally Harrison (soprano)
Owen Gilhooly (baritone)
Orchestra (leader Alan Smale)
Conductor Bernie Sherlock
Fauré REQUIEM
Poulenc GLORIA
Ravel MENUET ANTIQUE
Two men of faith, both French, both composers.
Two very different creative responses to the death of loved ones.
Two exquisite masterpieces.
The Culwick Choral Society presents fine performances of Fauré’s beautiful and much-loved Requiem and the lesser-known, joyously energetic Gloria by Poulenc.
Fauré’s Requiem was written during the years separating the death of his father in 1885 and of his mother in 1888 and has a special place in the hearts of audiences. Unlike other similar works, it makes no mention of the fires and torments of hell, concentrating instead on consolation and hope.
The Gloria was one of many works Poulenc composed when the loss of a dear friend in a horrific road accident inspired his whole-hearted return, aged 35, to the Christian faith. In ideal contrast with the Fauré, however, the Gloria is a work full of life and celebration.
Tickets: €30, €20, (Choir balcony €10)
Booking NCH Box Office, Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2,
Tel. 01-4170000, on-line booking www.nch.ie
(Concessions available; group discount available)
(Reductions for students and children)
Visit the choir’s website at www.culwick.org
Official Website: http://www.culwick.org
Added by silver surfer on March 31, 2008
Comments
silver surfer
There has been a late change of soprano soloist for this concert. Regrettably, Rebecca Ryan has had to cancel due to personal circumstances beyond her control. Fortunately, the Culwick have been successful in engaging the delightful soprano soloist Sally Harrison to perform in the concert.
"When the brilliant, pure voice of the soprano Sally Harrison made its first appearance in Poulenc's Gloria at the Music Hall in Aberdeen last night it was like an angel flying over troubled waters."
[Poulenc: Gloria / Aberdeen Choral Society / Press and Journal]
http://www.jamesblackmanagement.com/artists/harrison/bio.html
silver surfer
The Culwick Choral Society was founded in 1898 by the illustrious musician, Dr. James C. Culwick, who was also a co-founder of Feis Ceoil in 1897. The Culwick is a mixed-voice amateur choir whose 100 members are drawn from all over Dublin (Ireland) and surrounding counties. While the choir is versatile in its repertoire, performance of the classical choral works is undoubtedly dearest to the heart of the Society. Standard performances each year include: · a major work each Spring (recently, Brahms' A German Requiem, Mendelssohn's Elijah); · an annual Christmas Concert; and · Handel's Messiah for two nights each December in St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin for a designated charity. A tradition begun in 1990, the Culwick’s Messiah has become an established feature of the Dublin musical calendar.
The Society has over the years performed most of the major choral works and has been involved in many Irish premières, including Fanshawe's African Sanctus, Bernstein's Chichester Psalms, the Missa Pro Victoria by Tomás Luis de Victoria and, most recently, Return to Old Ireland by the modern Irish composer, Mary McAuliffe. The Choir has also been involved in several events with other choirs, notably Haydn's Creation, Verdi's Requiem, McAuliffe's Return to Old Ireland, Dvorak's Stabat Mater and Walton's Belshazzar's Feast.
The choir has recorded two CDs of its performances: HALLELUJAH! Highlights from Handel's Messiah recorded in St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin, 10 & 11 December 1997; and Brahms' A GERMAN REQUIEM/EIN DEUTSCHES REQUIEM, Op.45, recorded at the National Concert Hall, Dublin, 21 May 2005. For copies of HALLELUJAH! email jonmca@gofree.indigo.ie; and for A GERMAN REQUIEM email rodneysenior@eircom.net.
The Culwick Choral Society was honoured by the Vocal Heritage Association of Ireland with the Santa Cecilia Choral Award 2005, a tribute to its founder, Dr. James C. Culwick and to the choir's contribution to the cultural and civil life in Dublin since its founding in 1898.
The Culwick was chosen as the Ryder Cup Choir to participate in the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the celebrated golfing tournament at the K-Club in Straffan, Co. Kildare, in 2006.
The Musical Director, Bernie Sherlock, appointed in August 2007, follows a long line of distinguished conductors. In December 2007 the Culwick’s two performances of Handel's Messiah in St Patrick’s Cathedral and their Christmas Concert at the National Concert Hall were performed under the baton of Bernie. On 26th April 2008, Bernie will conduct the Culwick’s performance of Faure’s Requiem and Poulenc’s Gloria. The choir will perform the same two choral works in St. Fin Barre's Cathedral, Cork, on Saturday 17th May 2008.
The choir welcomes new members in all voice ranks, especially tenors and basses. Visit the choir's website at www.culwick.org or email jonmca@gofree.indigo.ie