Phoenix Choir

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… Perchance to dream

Dusk to dawn ~ the shadowed hours illuminated in song

Directed by Kevin Barker

Featuring Christopher Bennett on ‘cello

Step out of a wintry mountains afternoon into a warm enveloping sanctuary of calm and tranquillity, as we explore the music of nighttime, sleep and dreams from across the centuries …

From Dowland’s introspective lute songs, Purcell’s delicate melodies lulling fairies to sleep, and one of J S Bach’s most celebrated sacred cantatas. The refined harmony of Mozart evoking the serenity of twilight. A cornucopia of Romantics – Mendelssohn, Brahms, Rheinberger, Fauré – with their lyrical expression, sweeping melodies and cascading vocal lines. The harmonies of Vaughan Williams and Barber, depicting eternal stillness and natural beauty. To the present day, with Eric Whitacre’s mesmerising, ethereal lullaby, and an atmospheric art song by our very own Kevin Barker, describing the transition from quiet, solitary reflection to a triumphant celebration of hope. All enhanced by the rich, velvety resonance of the cello.

3 pm, Saturday 8 August, Wentworth Falls School of Arts

3 pm, Sunday 9 August, Hoskins Memorial Uniting Church, Lithgow

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And later in the year …

Albert Morris

Saturday 28 November, Phillips Hall, Blackheath

World premier! Excerpts from the contemporary oratorio by our Musical Director, Rowen Fox

Albert Morris was an Australian amateur botanist and ecologist, who pioneered the use of natural revegetation to restore degraded landscapes around Broken Hill in the 1930s. The regeneration reserves established by Albert, his wife, Margaret, and members of the Broken Hill Barrier Field Naturalists Club still exist. These reserves transformed the town. Albert’s work and discoveries remain relevant to bush regeneration efforts today.

Rowen’s libretto is based on several original sources, including Albert and Margaret’s own words, taken from articles they wrote about the regeneration scheme for local newspapers. Albert Morris is a work in progress. The first stage of funding – 20 minutes of choruses – was commissioned by Phoenix members a few years ago. Sadly the planned preview of these choruses was cancelled due to the Covid lockdown. Rowen is currently completing the piano score. The finished work will include instrumentalists, chorus and soloists.