The most musically insensitive can recognise Handel’s Alleluia chorus, although they might not know who Handel was, or where the piece is taken from. But even for those well-versed in classical music, Handel’s Messiah remains one of those works which never grow old.
“It is one of the pieces I live with everyday,” says Laus, the Goldberg Ensemble’s artistic director and conductor. “Like every masterpiece, I keep discovering new elements.”
The Messiah is one of those ideal pieces which can be used to introduce someone to classical music and to baroque music in particular, which is why the ensemble have chosen this work for their first independent venture.
Although the ensemble has been around since 2012, their upcoming concert will be the first time they will be organising an event on their own.
“The Messiah is not a sacred work in the strict sense of the word,” says Laus. “The work evolves from the dramatic and musically complex first part towards a simpler and more spiritual final section. Opera was so intrinsic to Handel that operatic elements are always there, but there is also a huge element of spirituality. For Christians, it has a special meaning because of its religious aspect, but even for those who are not Christians it has a lot to offer. It transcends Christianity, it is universal.”
The performance is part of a project that seeks to connect classical music with other disciplines
The group has chosen St Paul’s Anglican Pro-Cathedral in Valletta for their performance for a reason.
“There is a strong Anglican tradition for annual performances of the Messiah,” says Laus. “We believe that this creates an important historical link with the music itself.”
The performance is part of a larger project called Rejoice! that seeks to connect classical music with other disciplines and explore new possibilities. Apart from the performance itself, the ensemble has teamed up with photographer Sergio Muscat and dancer Liana Vella Zarb in order to expand the music’s possible interpretations.
“During the general rehearsal Liana will be improvising to the music while Sergio will be photographing her. These photographs will form the basis of an exhibition.”
Laus is no stranger to baroque music. “Back in the early 1980s, when I was studying in Milan, I got into harpsichord performance at the conservatory, a discipline which back then was still in its infancy. Although when I came back to Malta I concentrated more on orchestral conducting, I never forgot my love for baroque.”
Laus has been heading the Goldberg ensemble since its formation . In many ways, it was for him a natural progression to form this ensemble. Originally, it was formed as a chamber vocal ensemble but it has now merged with the instrumental ensemble Anon to form one ensemble. “It is an informal and flexible formation where everybody’s opinion is valued. We are also not strictly a period instrument orchestra since our repertoire goes beyond baroque music.”
In fact, the ensemble already has several non-baroque works in its repertoire, including Mozart’s Te Deum in C major and Schubert’s Magnificat. “I would love to keep on expanding the ensemble’s repertoire and go into more recent music. I would love to explore the possibility of commissioning new works for the ensemble.”
The Goldberg Ensemble will perform Handel’s Messiah next Sunday at 7.30pm at St Paul’s Anglican Pro-Cathedral, Valletta. The soloists are soprano Gillian Zammit, mezzo-soprano Claire Massa, tenor Nicholas Mulroy and bass Albert Buttigieg.