Concert
Malta Philharmonic Orchestra,
Mro Joseph Vella
St John’s Co-Cathedral

Malta’s national orchestra entertained an appreciative audience to a concert of sacred music by composer Joseph Vella, last Friday.

Cliff Zammit Stevens... possesses the right ingredients to make a quality leap

Billed as a celebrative concert on the occasion of Vella’s 70th birthday, the evening was held in honour of Mgr Charles J. Scicluna who the following day, at the same venue, was consecrated Auxiliary Bishop of Malta. The concert consisted of two main choral works: Domine Jesu Christe Op. 38 and Symphony No. 3 (The Apocalypse Verses) Op. 105.

Domine Jesu Christe is the offertory prayer of the Requiem Mass. The orchestra set a dark atmosphere complemented by intricate and elaborate counterpoint sung by the choir. Vella worked the music around the text in an effective manner. This composer’s penchant for the use of word painting came to light particularly in the line “et de profundo lacu” sung by the basses echoed later in the phrase “in obscurum”.

The female section of the choir introduced the Sed signifer Sanctus Michael motif seemingly implored the archangel to intercede for and protect the souls of the departed. This last theme in fugato style led to a grand conclusion starting on Quam olim Abrahae.

A selection of passages from the Apocalypse of St John inspired Vella’s choral Symphony No. 3 The Apocalypse Verses Op. 105.

The programme notes explained that the original intention was an oratorio dedicated to St George, but on reflection, the composer opted for a more neutral text, albeit commemorative, yet not bound to a specific liturgical occasion.

In the final choral movement, St John the Evangelist was represented by the solo tenor while two choirs, SATB and SSA, represented the saints and the angels in a very effective manner.

The symphony in five movements is a reflection on five different moods of contemplation which closely describe the section titles given by the composer. The Conflict, The Invocation and The Blessing are three contrasting settings which Vella decided to link into one continuous flow of music. This unity gave the listener the idea of one extremely large movement rather than three separate ones.

The Yearning (Allegro Aggressivo) is characterised by the use of ostinati on various groups of instruments, while The Awakening (Sostenuto) is the last choral movement.

The Laudate Pueri Choir rose to the celebrative occasion by displaying quality performance throughout.

Vella knows this choir inside out and when writing, their unmistakable and unique timbre resounds in his head. Subsequently, all of his ideas translate in memorable performances every time despite their very demanding nature.

Cliff Zammit Stevens as the evangelist John, tackled his demanding vocal lines with poise, constantly keeping his composure even in the trickiest of passages and sudden leaps towards the high register, displaying a carefully studied vocal technique. This promising Maltese youngster possesses the right ingredients to make a quality leap.

The memorable evening was one of the best and most convincing performances by the MPO under Vella’s baton.