Basilica hosts Chorus Urbanus for twelfth Christmas concert

With new vigour and polish, the Chorus Urbanus Productions presented an impressive production of a popular and astutely chosen programme of Christmas music for this year’s edition of Il-Kunċert tal-Milied.  The Chorus Urbanus gained the majority of its popularity from its annual Christmas concerts, creating a buzz with its ability to reach out and interact with audiences throughout its performances.  With a packed audience, the choir had this potential aura about it that made it seem like the choir is singing to each person individually throughout the basilica enclaves of St George’s.  Dr John Galea, the musical director, moulded the singers and brass players into producing a novel sound that contains seeds for future expansion and innovations in future editions.

The programme of the twelfth edition of Il-Kunċert tal-Milied opened with a Christmas Fanfare played by the ensemble.  Throughout the duration of the performance, the Chorus Urbanus has given proof of the soulful artists that its choristers are deep down.  Not only can the choir belt out majestically the highest of notes or whisper a hushed pianissimo, but they know how to cajole an audience at any given moment.  And this is what they did in their moving interpretations of Joy to the world, Adeste fideles and O holy night.  In John Rutter’s setting of Christmas Lullaby, the choir immediately demonstrated an awareness of balance and perceptive phrasing that blended splendidly with the brass ensemble.  There were some great moments in the evening’s performance and many of these came from the singers’ careful focus and the Island Brass ensemble’s musical understanding and the cohesive balance that was artfully maneuvered by the conductor.

Mro Mark Gauci on the Bb Baritone gave an excellent solo interpretation of ’Neath the Dublin skies ably accompanied by the brass ensemble that provided exciting cross-rhythms and interplay with the soloist.  Particularly noticeable was the skillful dexterity and well sustained multiphonics in Gauci’s performance.

Unity of sound was particularly noticeable in the accompanying voice parts to Away in a manger and Once in royal David’s city, arranged by Sir David Willcocks.  Effective diction and word colouring were also in evidence particularly in The Zither Carol and the Ukrainian Bell Carol, a carol that has become so popular with those attending previous editions of this Christmas concert.  The performance of this carol saw the choir relishing the verve of the arrangement singing with abundant but responsible exaltation.  Halfway throughout the programme the choir contrasted its participation by giving a moving a cappella interpretation of While shepherds watched.  However, the most touching interpretation was that of the traditional Maltese carol Ninni la tibkix iżjed.  The beauty of this evergreen carol lies in its simplicity and undisputed charms creating a need for the audience to control a desire to join spontaneously in this popular Maltese carol.  This frankness was highlighted by the wistful accompaniment of the carol on the harp ably played by Jacob Portelli.  Well-known local singer, Pamela Bezzina, ex-member of the Chorus Urbanus, was guest singer interpreting Have yourself a merry little Christmas with the accompaniment of the brass ensemble that provided soothing and suave harmonies.

With one carol after the next, it made you really appreciate how special this time of year is!  As the highlight of the concert, the Chorus Urbanus chose the Gloria de Noel by Oliver Sperling, that recalled its success in its participation at the grand concert 100 voix à la Cathédral in Strasbourg cathedral together with another 24 choirs from the EU way back in December 2006.  The performance was preceded by a thoughtful short message by architect Edward Scerri, the choir’s president, who highlighted the text of the Gloria de Noel taken from Isaiah’s prophecy and its implications towards a society without divisions.  All Christmas songs have something in common: they are all written from the heart.  The choir’s rendition was highly animated, yet potently controlled throughout the continual shifting of time signatures that spelt out the flamboyant cheer inherent in the Gloria de Noel.  That’s why Il-Kunċert tal-Milied under the direction of John Galea carries a very special spirit; he conducts and makes others perform from the heart.

Chev. Joe M. Attard, who compered the event, recited his yearly contribution of a poem written for this year’s Christmas concert followed by a collection in aid of Arka Foundation that netted over €650.  This year’s concert was attended by the Hon. Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and Mrs Gonzi, the Hon. Minister for Gozo Giovanna Debono, the Hon. Parliamentary Secretary Dr Chris Said, Dr Samuel Azzopardi, Mayor of Victoria, Mgr Pawlu Cardona, archpriest of St George’s basilica, various members and dignitaries of the Rev. Chapter of the basilica, and a number of other distinguished guests.  A reception for guests was held afterwards at the basilica annexe.Bottom of Form

Meanwhile, last year’s Christmas concert by Chorus Urbanus at St George’s basilica, was broadcast on Għawdex Illum’s special edition on TVM, on Christmas day, at lunch time.

Photos: Joe Attard

Printer Friendly Version Send Article to a Friend

Name A value is required. Invalid format.	Email Address: A value is required. Invalid format.
Please enter the text above exactly as it appears (case sensitive)
When you click on "Submit Comment", a confirmtion email is automatically sent to the address you specified above. You will then be required to confirm this comment by clicking the link provided in this email that you will receive. Comments also need to be confirmed by the administration.