Media Release – for immediate release
Join Durham Choral Society[i] and guests[ii] on Saturday 20th January, for a performance of two of what are considered to be Mozart’s greatest works, his Piano Concerto No. 21 and his Mass in C minor.
Mozart's Piano Concertos are some of the composer's most popular music, and No. 21 is always welcomed by audiences. Written in 1785, just six years before Mozart’s death, it received its first performance by Mozart himself at the National Court Theatre in Vienna. This performance will be by esteemed pianist Alison Gill.
Mozart wrote his Mass in C Minor between 1782 and 1783, shortly after his marriage to Constanze, but left it unfinished. Constanze, performed the “Et incarnatus est” at its first performance in Salzburg in October 1783 in front of her new father and sister-in-law whom she had yet to meet!
The performance took place in the church of St Peter’s Abbey as part of a Roman Catholic Mass. Nannerl, Mozart’s sister, noted in her diary that the performers of the Mass were the entire “Hofmusik”, musicians employed at the court of Prince Archbishop Count Hieronymous von Colleredo and, thus, her brother’s former colleagues.
The work embodies pomp and solemnity associated with the Salzburg traditions of the time, but it also anticipates the symphonic masses of Joseph Haydn in its solo choral learning. The influence of Bach and Handel, whose music Mozart was studying at the time, is also evident.
Tickets are available on Durham Choral Society - Mozart 20th January 2024 and on the door (if seats are still available). Prices start from £12 (accompanying carers are free).
We are trialling a reduced-paper programme this year and a digital programme for the event can be viewed by scanning
EDITORS’ NOTES
[i] Durham Choral Society – Durham Choral Society is a mixed voice choir with around 120 members who share a love of Choral Singing. Although they are an amateur choir, they are encouraged by their dynamic musical director to achieve ever higher standards. They sing twice a year in World Heritage Site, Durham Cathedral. See About | DurhamChoralSociety for more information.
[ii] Alison Gill (piano) – Alison is a graduate of the Royal Academy of Music. Whilst at the RAM, she made her Wigmore Hall debut, filmed for Channel Four, and was chosen as one of ten pianists to perform alongside Michael Nyman and Gavin Bryars in Satie’s 19-hour work Vexations, which took place in the Turbine Hall at the Tate Modern. Alison now lives in the North East and is highly sought after as an accompanist across the region.
C. Elizabeth Wood (soprano)
Elizabeth is a graduate of Royal Hollaway, University of London, where she studied Music and was a Choral Scholar under the direction of Professor Lional Pike and specialised in Vocal Performance studying with Elaine Pearce. As a student she was awarded the prestigious J.W Pearce prize for the Young Musician of the Year in her hometown of Huddersfield. Elizabeth now lives in London with her husband, local musician and composer, Alan Woods, and their three sons.
Claire Filer (soprano)
Claire was born in New Zealand. She holds a MA (Distinction) from the Wales International Academy of Voice, a MMus from The Boston Conservatory and a BMusHons (1st Class) from the University of Auckland. Claire travels extensively and sings in a variety of venues and countries.
Graham Neal (tenor)
Graham is a graduate of the University of Surrey, the Knack Opera Course at the English National Opera and Trinity College of Music. He is an accomplished ensemble singer, appearing frequently in concert, on television, and on recordings. He performs with a number of different ensembles including the Montiverdi Choir, with whom he sang at the Coronation of Their Majesties, King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
Samuel Pantcheff (baritone)
Samuel is a graduate of the Royal Academy of Music where he was awarded the Blyth-Buesst Opera Prize. He is also a former Britten Pears Young Artist. He is a member of the solo ensemble at the Salzburger Landstheater where his roles have included Papageno in The Magic Flute, Valentin in Faust and Joseph Pitt in Angels in America. This current season he will return to Salzburg as Miles in the much-anticipated Austrian Premiere of Stuart MacRae’s Anthropocene.
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