Foto: (c) Johannes Hloch A. Dvořák, Stabat Mater at St. Stephen’s Cathedral
Vienna, Stephansdom — main
About the Event
Listen to Antonín Dvořák's ‘Stabat Mater’, one of the most poignant settings of the medieval poem about Mary's suffering in the face of her humiliated and abused son on the cross.
The piece was first composed in the original version for choir, soloists and piano performed here, which marks a decisive turning point in Dvořák's oeuvre and reflects his deep personal grief. During this time, Dvořák had to mourn the loss of his three children within a short space of time, making the composition a deeply intimate expression of his pain and faith.
The instrumentation reveals the emotional depth and spiritual dimension of the text and enables an immediate connection between the work and the audience. It offers direct access to the roots of a work that was to achieve world fame and remains a moving testimony to human grief and hope.
The Ad Libitum choir with the outstanding pianist Kyoko Yoshizawa and renowned vocal soloists under the direction of Heinz Ferlesch will perform this original version of Dvořák's ‘Stabat Mater’ in St Stephen's Cathedral. The Latin prayer from the Middle Ages, which found its way into the liturgy as a sequence in the Marian Feast of the Seven Sorrows and as a hymn, is an appeal to humanity and stands above any confessional tradition. It combines the Passion of Christ with the hope of the Resurrection and is therefore a deeply moving musical reflection for Lent and preparation for Easter.
Program
- Antonín Dvořák – Stabat Mater (op. 58, original version from 1876 for soloists, choir and piano) and motets for choir a cappella
Artists
| Conductor: | Heinz Ferlesch |
|---|---|
| Tenor: | Hans‐Jörg Gaugelhofer |
| Choir: | Chor Ad Libitum |
| Soprano: | Maria Ladurner |
| Alto: | Johanna Zachhuber |
| Bass: | Günter Haumer |
| Piano: | Kyoko Yoshizawa |
Stephansdom
The Stephansdom (St. Stephen´s Cathedral), constructed in the 12th century, is a Viennese landmark. The present-day building incorporates Romanesque and Gothic styles, and stands on the site of two earlier churches. 23 bells hang in the Stephansdom's towers - the most famous is called 'Pummerin', and is the second-biggest church bell in Europe. One highlight of the Stephansdom is its tiled roof, intricately ornamented in richly-colored mosaics that outline Vienna's coat of arms. Visitors can climb up the North or South Tower to take a closer look at the stunning roof and enjoy the view of the city. The cathedral's catacombs - the resting place of approximately 10000 souls - are another must-see. Classical music frequently adds to the magic of the Stephansdom, with those featuring the music of Vivaldi and Mozart attracting the largest crowds.
Antonín Dvořák
Antonin Dvorak is considered to be one of the most well-known and prominent Czechs in the world, as his musical work gained international recognition already during his lifetime. He was born in 1841 in a small Czech village into a butcher’s family. At the age of 6, Dvorak started taking violin lessons and it immediately became obvious that the boy had exceptional talent in music. Later in life, he was learning to master piano and organ as well as simultaneously working in a slaughterhouse. After Dvorak turned 16, he was admitted to the Organ School in Prague that trained future professional composers. After graduating, he stayed in Prague, joined Karel Komzak’s orchestra and started actively composing his own music. However, he struggled to make ends meet and always had to work on the side by playing music in churches and giving private music lessons. Finally, 1874 became a turning point in his life when he won a financial grant from an Austrian Prize competition for his 15 submitted works. This allowed him to quit the orchestra and devote himself fully to composing. During this period, he wrote his Slavonic Dances, Moravian Duets and Violin Concerto, which brought him sweeping success. In 1892 he was invited to teach at the New York National Conservatory, where he stayed until 1895 before returning home. He started teaching at the Prague conservatory and later became its director. Until his death in 1904, he had been a successful and well-loved composer, both in his homeland and around the whole world.
Address
Stephansdom, Stephansplatz 1 , Vienna, Austria — Google Maps
