On Good Friday (April 14) St. Paul’s Choir will bring the work of Joseph Martin to life in a stirring cantata, merging choral backgrounds with soaring vocal solos and instrumental accompaniment–all combined to tell the story of the last days leading up to the crucifixion of Christ.
The work, entitled Song of the Shadows, embraces the artistic concept of chiaroscuro, a Renaissance technique in which the contrast between light and dark is used to dramatic effect in order to bring images to life.
Musical director Jannie Burdeti explained how Martin’s work is a contemporary composition strongly influenced by classical composers like Bach and Rachmaninoff.
“He works with the theme of shadows, the dark and serious aspect of the crucifixion while using the soaring vocals of the soloists to lift the choir into a world of warmth, light, hope and redemption. The result is connects with the audience and lifts them to climactic heights,” she said.
“For example, in one particular piece, agnus dei, the choir provides a rather sombre, repetitive musical background. Then the soloists come in with these remarkable uplifting melodies, raising the mood out of the darkness to a high, climatic song of light and hope. The end result is so powerful, and perfectly reflective of the subject matter.”
Solos for the performance are provided by baritone, Robin Hine and mezzo-soprano Shelley Shen.
Well known local musician, Matthew Poon will join in as the contributing pianist.
Burdeti, who recently returned from her doctorate work at the Peabody Conservatory at Johns Hopkins, will conduct the performance.
“Our society has become very fast-paced, perhaps too much so,” said Burdeti.
“The performance of this cantata will allow the audience a chance to take a contemplative and meditative approach to the story of Jesus – to experience the darkness but come away with an appreciation of the light that is so much a part of that story.”
The performance is at St. Paul’s united Church, 2410 Malaview Ave. in Sidney on April 14 at 10:30 a.m.
Admission is free.