Concerts
Next Concert
Serenade to Music
Saturday 28 August, 7:30pm, Cottesloe Civic Centre, Broome Street, Cottesloe
Works Include: Brahms Vocal Quartets, Vaughan-Williams Serenade to Music, In Windsor Forrest, Faure Pavane, Madrigal and Cantique
For its second subscription series concert, the Giovanni Consort will present an evening of glorious romantic melodies.
Ralph Vaughan-Williams wrote his celebrated Serenade to Music for a consort of soloists, many of whom were his close friends, so few works provide such a perfect artistic match for the Giovanni Consort. The lyrical melodies and sumptuous harmonies that highlight the Serenade to Music can also be heard in his choral cantata, In Windsor Forest. Created from music taken from his opera Sir John in Love, Vaughan Williams vividly recreates of the magical Shakespearean world, with its mysterious forests, drunken revelry and gorgeous love songs.
The choral and vocal music of German Romantic composer Johannes Brahms has been unjustly neglected in favour of his orchestral music. Brahms, perhaps the greatest of the Romantic masters, nevertheless maintained and interest in the human voice throughout his career. His Vocal Quartets are each superbly crafted miniatures, characterized by exquisitely shaped vocal lines expressive harmonies and virtuosic piano accompaniments.
Lighter in style, texture and mood than the Quartets by Brahms, the three choral songs by Gabriel Fauré, Pavane, Madrigal and Cantique de Jean Racine, are nonetheless polished, restrained and elegant, reflecting precisely the differences between the French and German late Romantic style. These stylistic differences caused enormous controversy towards the end of the 19th century but both can been enjoyed in this charming and delightful program.
Future Concerts
15th Anniversary Concert
Friday 19 November, 7:30pm, St Mary’s Cathedral, Perth
Works Include: Bach Singet dem Herrn, Harris Faire is the Heaven, Bring us O Lord God, Brahms Geistliches Lied, Duruflé Requiem and Four motets
The final concert in the 2010 Subscription series is a celebration of the 15 years of fine choral music presented by the Giovanni Consort. This outstanding programme contains two of the greatest choral masterworks ever written, the Requiem by Maurice Duruflé and the motet Singet dem Herrn by Johann Sebastian Bach.
Few composers have had such a complete understanding of the unique challenges and creative opportunities of writing for the pipe organ as French organist and composer Maurice Duruflé. Using the full expressive resources of both the choir and the pipe organ, and inspired by plainchant melodies, Duruflé created one of the great choral masterpieces of the 20th Century.
The exhilarating, majestic and uniquely challenging double choir motet Singet dem Herrn by Johann Sebastian Bach provides a unique counterpoint in this program to the profound and deeply moving Requiem by Maurice Duruflé. Bustling with vigour and energy, Singet dem Herrn is a contrapuntal tour de force and Bach’s crowning achievement in the motet genre.
This program also includes two miniature choral masterpieces by William Harris - Faire is the Heaven and Bring us O Lord God. Although written after the First World War, these works nostalgically evoke the mood of the halcyon days of Edwardian England and are amongst the most well-loved choral works of the extraordinary 20th Century English Choral repertoire.
Don’t miss this unique concert!
Past Concerts
2010
Resurrection
Sunday 21 March, 2:30pm at St Patrick's Basilica, Adelaide St, Fremantle Works Include: Tallis Lamentations, Allegri Miserere, de Brossard Stabat Mater, Weelkes Gloria in excelsis In 2010, Pipe Organ Plus and the Giovanni Consort both celebrate important musical milestones. In this concert they join together for a sublime musical reflection on the journey of Christ from Lent until Easter. Featured in this program are the Lamentations of Jeremiah of Thomas Tallis, a masterpiece of Tudor polyphony and a deeply spiritual meditation for Good Friday. Few works have a more interesting history than the famous Miserere by Gregori Allegri. Banned from publication for centuries by the Vatican, the soaring solo vocal line was originally sung by the famous castrati of the Papal Choir but is now a virtuoso showpiece for the soprano as well as an awe-inspiring test of technique, stamina and musicianship. Also in the program is a little-known gem from the French Baroque period, the Stabat Mater by Sebastien de Brossard. Better known as the creator and compiler of the first French Music Dictionary in 1703, the Stabat Mater is an exquisite setting of the mediaeval text that reflects upon the Passion of the Christ on the Cross and the suffering of Mary, the mother of Jesus. This motet has become a favourite amongst audiences and singers fortunate enough to have heard of or performed this beautiful work. This concert will feature plain chant sung by the Consort and superb organ music by Bach, De Grigny and Tournemire performed by Dominic Perissinotto that reflect both the agony of Christ’s Passion and the joy of the Resurrection. 
2009
The Song of Songs
Saturday, November 21, 7:30pm at Guildford Grammar School Chapel, Terrace Road
Works include: Benjamin Britten Rejoice in the lamb, Hubert Parry Blest pair of sirens, William Walton Set me as a seal
Music inspired by the poetic imagery of King Solomon's 'Song of Songs' by composers such as Palestrina, Britten, Walton and Parry.
See newspaper article on this concert: Newspaper article on The Song of Songs - Young choir on song
Music of the Spheres
Friday, May 22, 7.30pm at the Government House Ballroom, St. George’s Terrace, Perth
Music by: Ramsay, Gibbons, Weelkes, Monteverdi and others.
This programme of irresistible renaissance music offers some much loved pieces and unearths others that deserve greater exposure. Inspired by all things spherical, the planets, the earth, sun and stars, The Giovanni Consort invites you to contemplate the constellations while being transported heavenwards with beautiful singing.
See newspaper article on this concert: Newspaper article on Music of the Spheres - Renaissance revival
Folk Tunes and Naughty Songs
Saturday March 14, 7.00pm at Perth Town Hall, Cnr Hay and Barrack Streets, Perth
Works include: Joshua fit the Battle of Jericho, Waltzing Matilda, The Ash Grove, Danny Boy, Country Dances and many more.
Folk tunes from all over the world are performed in spectacular arrangements guaranteed to dazzle. Purcell, Mozart and others offer a slightly ruder account of themselves in a fun evening of laughs and fabulous singing.
This concert comes with a PG rating.
An audio sample from this concert is available from this link
2008
Music for Christmas 
Saturday December 13th, 7:30pm at St George's College Chapel
Works include: Victoria Missa O Magnum Mysterium and Hildegard von Bingen Columba Aspexit
This stunning work explores the mystery surrounding this special time of the year. Sick of tinsel and commercials? Come and enjoy the sublime beauty of Christmas with the Giovanni Consort and revel in exquisite unaccompanied singing. We promise there won't be a reindeer or elf in sight!
Audio samples from this concert are available from this link
Hymns from the British Isles
Saturday August 30th, Perth College Auditorium and Tuesday September 16th, John Septimus Roe Anglican Community School St Paul's Chapel, 7:30pm
Works include: Britten Hymn to St. Cecilia and Holst Hymns from the Rig Veda.
This concert features two stunning pieces of music from the UK. Britten's masterpiece is a cornerstone of the choral repertoire. His depiction of the life and nature of this extraorginary woman demonstrates the wondrous variety of colour of the human voice set perfectly to the words by W H Auden.
Holst's collection of four pieces for Harp and upper voices shows this composer at his best. Don't miss the opportunity to hear this wonderful work accompanied by Australia's most acclaimed harpist, Marshall McGuire.
Pre concert talk by Geoff Lowe.
See newspaper review on this concert:
Review of Hymns from the British Isles - A Concert Worthy of Preserving
Audio samples from this concert are available from this link
Body & Soul
Saturday June 7th, 7:30pm, Perth Town Hall
Works by Lassus, Monteverdi, Palestrina, Taverner, Janequin, Franck, Schein, Ramsay, and many more!
Fascinated with the human body, the Renaissance inspired texts and music that was intriguing and sometimes humorous. The skin, heart, nose, eyes and more intimate parts are all dissected and explored! The second half draws on a wealth of wonderful texts inspired by the human soul. Be prepared for music of unspeakable beauty.
See newspaper article on this concert: Review of Body & Soul - Heart, soul of madrigals
2007
Josquin - Missa Pange Lingua
June 2007
The Giovanni Consort performed Josquin des Prez’s masterpiece in a beautiful unaccompanied programme from the French Renaissance including Jannequin’s La Guerre and music by Machaut.
Guest Conductor: Andrew Sutherland
"The Giovanni Consort is a jewel in the crown of Perth's musical environment. Their recent concert of French Medieval and Renaissance music in the appropriate ambience and warm acoustic of the Town Hall showed off the musical skills and presentational confidence of the group to good effect. The programme was imaginatively-devised, presenting a balance of sacred and secular that provided pleasing variety. Josquin's arching lines were beautifully projected, tenors and sopranos ascending to thrilling heights supported by a firm and vigorous bass line and a supple mixture of male and female altos.
In Machaut's ‘He! Dame de Vaillance’, three solo voices enacted a troubador song as if entering a baronial hall from different doors. The cycle of songs by Claudin de Sermisy alternated artful French equivalents to the early Italian madrigal with contemporary keyboard transcriptions performed with poise on a sweetly-piping chamber organ by Jangoo Chapkhana. The concert finished with the dramatic tour-de-force of Clement Jannequin’s 'La Guerre', a setting of warcries, curses and observations about battle that blends language and music to conjure the scene and sounds of conflict. This was brilliantly evoked by these fine young singers, directed by Andrew Sutherland, who has recently returned to Perth after a spell of performing and teaching in Sydney and the UK."
Nick Bannan
2006
Cantabile
Pergolesi Stabat Mater Buxtehude Membra Jesu Nostri, Fuga in G, Chorale Partita: Auf meinen Lieben Gott
Conductor: David Gething
St Joseph’s, Subiaco; Guildford Grammar School Chapel
Creation
Perotin Viderunt Omnes Queldryk Gloria Langlais Messa en Style Ancien Anon Pia Mater Cornysh Salve Regina Gething Four Motets Murray White Bird Poston Jesus Christ the Apple Tree Tavener Love Bade Me Welcome Gorécki Totus Tuus
Conductor: David Gething
St Joseph’s, Subiaco; Guildford Grammar School Chapel
Christmas
Schütz Historia der Guburt Jesu Christi
Evangelist - Katja Webb, Angels – Kate Macoboy, Sabra Poole-Johnson, King Herod – James Clayton
St Joseph’s, Subiaco; Guildford Grammar School Chapel
Conductor: David Gething
2005
Hope
Tippett Five Negro Spirituals Holst Ave Maria Howells Psalm Prelude, Requiem, Britten Hymn to St Cecilia, Rejoice in the Lamb, Taverner Song for Athene Organ: Stewart Smith
Conductor: David Gething
St Patrick’s Basilica, Fremantle
Guildford Grammar School Chapel
Heart
Vaughan Williams In Windsor Forest, Rutter Five Childhood Lyrics, Novak Manhatten Transfer Medley, Gershwin Porgy & Bess, Folk Songs – Ciao Bella Ciao, Once a Jolly Swagman, Wade in the Water, Were You There? Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho, Porter Begin the Beguine, Myers She Was Beautiful, Ellington I’m Beginning to See the Light, Garland In the Mood
Piano: Bradley Gilchrist
Conductor: David Gething
Australian Opera Studio, Callaway Music Auditorium, UWA
Heaven
Guerrero Ave Maria Sanctissima, O sacrum convivium, Arauxo Tres Glosas el Canto Llano de la Inmaculada Concepción, Byrd Praise Our Lord, all ye Gentiles, Sing joyfully, Bull Fantasy Sopra Ut, Re, Mi, Fa, Sol, Lassus Ave Verum Corpus, Timor et Tremor, Macque Consonanze Stravaganti Palestrina Sicut cervus, Tu es Petrus, Bach Lobet Den Herren Purcell I was glad, Remember not, Lord, our offences, Jehova, quam multi sunt hostes mei
Organ: Stewart Smith
Conductor: David Gething
Guildford Grammar School Chapel, St Joseph’s, Subiaco
2004
Praise
Palestrina Missa Papae Marcelli Tournemiere Improvisations for Organ Allegri Miserere Duruflé Requiem
Organ: Stewart Smith
Conductor: David Gething
St Patrick’s Basilica, Fremantle
Passion
Parry Blest Pair of Sirens Fauré Tantum Ergo, Pavane, Brahms & Schubert – Lieder Piano: Lea Hayward
Conductor: David Gething
Australian Opera Studio, Callaway Music Auditorium, UWA
Pleasure
Bernstein I Hate Music, Bolcom Caberet Songs, Grandage Night Camp, The Owl & the Pussy Cat, Stanford Blue Bird, Grainger Londonderry Air, Pearsall Lay a Garland, Bach Requiem aeternam, Tchaikovsky Danse De La Fee-Dragee, Kern All the Things You Are, Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man, Newman Short People, Porter Miss Otis Regrets, Austin Is You or Is You ‘Aint My Baby
Piano: Caroline Badnall & Iain Grandage
Conductor: David Gething
Australian Opera Studio, Callaway Music Auditorium, UWA
2003
Chansons de Nuit
Ninot le Petit Et la la la Josquin des Prez Mille Regrets, En L’ombre d’un Buissonet, Petit Camusette, Sermisy Il me Suffit, Tant que Vivrai, Bataille C’est aujhord’hui Anonymous Second Chant de Ballet, Douce Beauté, Certon Je suis désheritée, Claude le Jeune Susanne un Jour Revoice Venire du Printemps, Ce n’est que Fiel, Passereau Il est bel et Bon, Clereau Comme un qui Prend Caurroy Las! Amour Phinot Pleurez mes Yeaux Jannequin La Guerre
Conductor: David Gething
Burt Hall, St George's Cathedral
Sacred Baroque
Graziani Missa S. Maria de Victoria concertata à 5, Charpentier Magnificat, La Reniement de Saint Pierre, Purcell Funeral Sentences JC Bach Fürchte Dich Nicht Schütz Jauchzet dem Herren, Wohl dem, der den Herren fürchtet, Selig sind die Toten, J S Bach Der Geist hilft unser Schwachheit auf
Conductor: David Gething
Burt Hall, St George's Cathedral
Pax Aeterna
Vierne Messe Solonelle Fauré Cantique de Jean Racine Brahms Geistliches Lied Hakim Fantasia on Adeste Fidelis Barber Agnus Dei Harris Faire is the Heaven Elgar Give unto the Lord Walton The Twelve
Conductor: David Gething
St Patrick’s Basilica, Fremantle
2002
Music from a Deeper Place
J C Bach Unsers herzens freude Charpentier Salve Regina à 3 choeurs De Brossard Stabat Mater Monteverdi Magnificat a 6 voci Purcell Behold, now praise the Lord Buxtehude Ad Genua and Ad Manus (Membra Jesu Nosti) Bach Lobet den Herrn, Harpsichord Concerto in D (BWV 1054)
Conductor: David Gething
Hale School Performing Arts Centre
Elevation of the Heart
Vaughan Williams Serenade to Music Elgar Lux Aeterna Schumann Dichterliebe
Baritone: Andrew Moran
Conductor: David Gething
Hale School Performing Arts Centre
Tales of Tragedy and Passion
Handel Acis & Galatea, As Pants the Heart, Harpsichord Suite No. 3
Katja Webb (Galatea), Stuart Haycock (Acis), Andrew Sutherland (Damon), Andrew Moran (Polythemus)
Conductor: David Gething
Hale School Performing Arts Centre
2001
Voices of the Renaissance
Anonymous Non vos relinquam Josquin des Prez Absolom fili mi Tallis O Nata Lux Gibbons I am the Resurrection Byrd Gaudeamus omnes
Conductor: Andrew Bushell
Hale School Performing Arts Centre
Songs for the Ages of Man
Howells Requiem, Vaughan Williams Three Shakespeare Songs, Messiaen O sacrum convivium, Tippett Five Negro Spirituals, Rutter Five Childhood Lyrics, Ravel Trois Chansons, Murray Ecce Dominus Veniet/Sribhagavan uvaca, Grainger Brigg Fair
Conductor: Daniel Hyde
St George’s Cathedral
Heaven and Back – Glories of the Baroque
Bach Mass in A Major, Vivaldi Gloria (RV 588)
Conductor: Simon Lawford
St Patrick’s Basilica, Fremantle
2000
Amore e Guerra
Monteverdi Beatus Vir, Madrigals of Love and War Bach Jesu meine Freude
Conductor: David Gething
Lawrence Wilson Art Gallery, UWA
Celestial Harmonies
Pärt Summa Tavener Song for Athene Britten Rejoice in the Lamb Górecki Totus Tuus Duruflé Requiem Messian Le Banquet Céleste
Organ: Simon Lawford
Conductor: David Gething
St Patricks Basilica, Fremantle
A Pastoral Farewell
Parry Songs of Farewell Vaughan Williams In Windsor Forest Brahms Part-songs Fauré Madrigal, Pavanne, Cantique de Jean Racine
Conductor: David Gething
Burt Hall, St George's Cathedral
1999
Bach Singet dem Herrn Stanford The Blue Bird
Conductor: David Gething
Penrhos College Chapel
1998
Triumph of the Human Spirit
Tippett Five Negro Spirituals (A Child of Our Time) Copland Four Motets, Pärt Magnificat, Allegri Miserere
Conductor: Iain Grandage
Fremantle Prison
Music for Mother’s Day
Gershwin I got Rhythm, The Man I love, Summertime, Love Walked In, Youmans Tea for Two, Porter Night and Day, Delibes The Flower Song, Mozart Laci Darem la Mano, Dvorak Song of the Moon
Conductor: Prue Ashurst
Rachelle Durkin, Tamsyn Stock-Stafford, Luke Gabbedy, Caroline Badnell (piano)
Fremantle Town Hall, Moora Town Hall
German Masters
Schumann, Dichterliebe Strauss Four Last Songs Brahms Horn Trio in Eb Op. 40
Robert Hoffman, Tamsyn Stock-Stafford, Piano – Jacinta Jakovcevic
Cottesloe Civic Centre
Monteverdi Vepers (1610)
St George’s Baroque Consort, UWA Choral Society, MLC Choirs
Conductors: Andrew Bushell, Prue Ashurst, Su-Lyn Chong
Winthrop Hall
Splendours of Spring
Bach Mass in F Major Purcell From Hardy Climbs & Dangerous Toils of War Scarlatti Dixit Dominus, Vivaldi Spring from The Four Seasons
St George’s Baroque Consort
Conductor: Simon Lawford
St George’s Cathedral
The Winds of War
Shepherd Western Wind Mass Jannequin La Guerre
Conductor: Andrew Bushell
Chapel of St Michael the Archangel, Leederville
1997
Passion Music
De Brossard Stabat Mater Lotti Crucifixus Purcell Funeral Sentences Tallis Lamentations.
Conductor: Simon Lawford
St George’s Cathedral
Dido & Aeneas
Purcell Wecome to all the Pleasures, Chacony in G minor
Sara Macliver (Dido), Andrew Sutherland (Aeneas) Rachel Gregg (Belinda)
St George’s Baroque Consort
Conductor: Simon Lawford
St George’s Cathedral
Lay a Garland
Parsons Ave Maria, Holst Ave Maria, Stanford Beati quorum via, Barber Agnus Dei
Conductor: David Gething
St George’s Cathedral
The Flower of the Renaissance
Josquin des Prez Missa Pange Lingua, Power Ave Regina Caelorum, Ockeghem Salve Regina, Josquin des Prez Absalon fili mi, Tallis Audivi vocem de cealo, Gibbons I am the Resurrection
Conductor: Andrew Bushell
Burt Hall, St George's Cathedral
Faire is the Heaven
Vaughan Williams Mass in G minor, Harris Faire is the Heaven, Britten Rejoice in the Lamb, Rutter Choral Pieces
Conductor: Simon Lawford
St George’s Cathedral
1996
Duruflé Requiem
Duruflé Tantum Ergo, Poulenc Salve Regina, Fauré Cantique de Jean Racine, Tournemire Fantasie sur le Te Deum
Organ: Stewart Smith Cello: Patrick Murphy
Conductor: Richard Swann
St George’s Cathedral
Music for Mother’s Day
Rutter Five Childhood Lyrics, Novak Manhatten Transfer (medley), Music from West Side Story and Porgy & Bess
Conductor: Prue Ashurst
Cottesloe Civic Centre
Schubertide
Exerpts from Schubert’s Winterreise and Schwanengesang, Death & the Maiden (Winthrop Quartet)
Mark Alderson, Robert Hoffman, Andrew Sutherland
Cottesloe Civic Centre
The Music of Benjamin Britten
Hymn to St Cecilia, A Ceremony of Carols, Folksongs and Fanfare for St Edmundsbury
Harp: Jane Geeson
Conductor: Prue Ashurst
Perth Modern School
Renaissance Masters
Hassler Missa Sine Nomine Allegri Miserere Victoria O magnum mysterium Byrd Sing joyfully Gibbons O clap your hands together
Conductor: Simon Lawford
Burt Hall, St George's Cathedral
Sacred Baroque Masterpieces
Bach Mass in G minor (BWV 235) Pergolesi Stabat Mater Bach Brandenburg Concerto No 5 (BWV 1050)
(Ensemble Archangelo)
Conductor: Simon Lawford
St Michael the Archangel, Leederville