Brahms Requiem and Szymanowski Stabat Mater

Experience Johannes Brahms’ German Requiem and Karol Szymanowski’s 1920s Stabat Mater.

The Melbourne Bach Choir and Zelman Symphony conducted by Rick Prakhoff performs Brahms' Requiem (Ein Deutsches Requiem) and Szymanowski’s Stabat Mater.

The Brahms will be sung in German and the Szymanowski in Polish. An outstanding trio of soloists namely: Warwick Fyfe, Helena Dix and Belinda Paterson will join with the Choir and Orchestra in these masterpieces.

Szymanowski’s first thought when composing the Stabat Mater was to produce a kind of Polish ‘people’s’ Requiem. The link with Brahms’ humanistic focus makes these two works ideal partners.

The architectural similarities of both works are fascinating with both comprising movements of restrained beauty contrasting with movements of great strength, only to finish as they start, gently restrained.

The Stabat Mater was composed in 1925-26 and was Szymanowski’s first work to a liturgical text. A Marian hymn was translated by Jozef Janowski into Polish, is in six movements and is characteristic of compositions of his late period. Szymanowski directed that the work should always be sung in Polish when performed in Poland, but could be sung in Latin elsewhere.

Brahms composed his Ein Deutsches Requiem between 1865 and 1868. It comprises seven movements and lasts 80 minutes, making this work both Brahms' longest composition and largest-ensemble work.

Brahms German Requiem emphasizes comfort and solace for the living instead of prayers for the dead. Instead of a traditional Latin requiem for the church, Brahms chooses words from Luther’s German bible, focusing on the Resurrection, rather than the Day of Judgement.

It reflects a theme of hope and consolation and is a ‘human requiem’ said Brahms, with the music rich with emotion.

Ticket Prices

Standard & Concession

Premium $119 ($99 Concession)
A Reserve $99 ($89 Concession)
B Reserve $89 ($69 Concession)
C Reserve $69 ($59 Concession)

Student

Premium $99
A Reserve $79
B & C Reserve $59

Group 10+

Premium $107.10
A Reserve $89.10
B Reserve $80.10
C Reserve $62.10

Choir Member

Premium $107.10
A Reserve $89.10
B Reserve $80.10
C Reserve $62.10

A Transaction Fee between $4 and $8.50 applies to orders made online and by phone. Delivery Fees may also apply. A ticket limit of six is in place online to ensure fair ticket access for all. Want to bring a bigger party? Call our Box Office during business hours on (03) 9699 3333 to book.

Artists

Melbourne Bach Choir
Zelman Symphony

Rick Prakhoff Conductor
Warwich Fyfe Soloist
Helena Dix Soloist
Belinda Paterson Soloist
Calvin Bowman Organ