The Easter story is central to the Christian faith but it’s also a universal one of love and suffering and transcendence. At the heart of the story is a mother’s grief over the loss of her son.
Which is where Stabat Mater comes in, a 13th century Christian hymn to the Virgin Mary that portrays her suffering as a mother during the crucifixion of her son Jesus Christ. The hymn’s author is thought to be, according to experts, either the Franciscan friar Jacopone da Todi or Pope Innocent III. The hymn’s title comes from its first line, “Stabat mater dolorosa”, which means “the sorrowful mother was standing”.
Musical settings of the Stabat Mater are numerous across the centuries and it has been performed in Brisbane before. However, there is a newish version by Swedish composer Fredrik Sixten and it will be performed by Canticum Chamber Choir and orchestra and soloists, with music director Emily Cox in charge.
Canticum Chamber Choir is well known for presenting unusual, rarely heard and new works. For this version of Stabat Mater the choir is joined by renowned Brisbane-based alto Anne Fulton and tenor Paul McMahon, with an orchestra of local freelance professionals. The roughly hour-long performance will be presented at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Rosalie, on April 16 and Good Friday (April 18).
Emily Cox says while it is a Christian story it is also universal.
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“With this sort of sacred choral music, not all the people who perform it or listen to it are believers,” Cox says. “But it’s a human story for everyone with so much sadness and injustice. You don’t have to be a believer to get something from this music.”
These Easter concerts mark Canticum’s 30th anniversary. Canticum Chamber Choir has performed other versions of Stabat Mater, which has been tackled by some of the greats including Czech composer Antonin Dvorak.
‘It’s emotive, colourful and you will feel you’ve had a full musical meal listening to it’
And while Cox admits some people groan when they are confronted by a new piece (people do tend to love the classics), she’s confident Sixten’s new work will impress. For his part the Swedish composer is thrilled that his work is being given its Australian premiere in Brisbane this Easter (how appropriate). On Canticum’s website you can view a heartfelt video message from him enthusing about that and saying a little bit about his Stabat Mater.
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Cox says Sixten writes beautifully for voices and instruments.
“He is such a genuine heartfelt and beautiful composer,” she says. “The work has a lot of variety. It’s emotive, colourful and you will feel you’ve had a full musical meal listening to it. Some people think contemporary music is hard to listen to but this is beautiful.”
Stabat Mater portrays Mary at the foot of the cross experiencing her son’s crucifixion, an extraordinary depiction of a mother’s suffering. Sixten, acclaimed worldwide as a truly significant composer of our time, has created a pathos-filled setting, masterfully balancing melody, dissonance and expressivity to produce a powerful and moving work.
Sixten has a background as a church musician and has composed music suitable for both concert performance and liturgical use. He has also contributed to the revision of the Swedish national hymn book.
His Stabat Mater is a monumental choral work divided into 18 distinct sections culminating in a powerful “Amen”. It’s a deeply moving experience. Cox says the fact that many of Sixten’s works are in Swedish makes it difficult but Stabat Mater is in Latin, which Canticum knows its way around.
I’m assured there will be an English translation in the program, which will help us follow the story, although I’m hoping most of us will already know it. You don’t have to be a believer to understand the power of Christ’s passion and Sixten’s music will appeal to everyone, believer or not.
Music for Holy Week: Fredrik Sixten’s Stabat Mater, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Rosalie, April 16, 7.30pm, and Good Friday (April 18), 5.30pm, $55/$45/$15, canticum.org.au
You can also experience the concert via the Australian Digital Concert Hall: australiandigitalconcerthall.com/#/item/136482