An Appetite for Wonder

The Linden Singers is a community choir which was established in 1971 by the late Basil Brooker. The choir is now guided by Hawke's Bay musician extraordinaire Jane Pierard, who has directed the group for the past three years. Jane has devised a wonderful program for this concert, with a theme of wonder and mystery. She has based the theme on a quite by renowned philosopher Albert Einstein, who said "There are two ways to live: you can live as if nothing is a miracle; you can live as if everything is a miracle. The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and all science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead: his eyes are closed.”

The program explores these ideas through some truly beautiful music. Motets based on the text of Latin hymns and set to melodies by French composer Francis Poulenc and American Morten Lauridsen explore the wonder of the birth of Jesus. Other spiritual or religious themes feature in works by several contemporary composers from throughout the world. Environmental themes are introduced in an old Swedish song describing an idyllic scene in a pine forest, Joni Mitchell's "Big Yellow Taxi" and in Hawke's Bay composer Stephen Lange's wonderful new work "Poipoi te Kakano" which asks us to "nurture the seed". Jazz enthusiasts will love two poignant standards: "Skylark" and "Round Midnight" and if you enjoy a good Musical you will love the medley from "Oklahoma", especially when the men get into "cowboy" mode! Do come along, and bring a friend!

The venue is lovely, the acoustics perfect, and the choir is very good indeed!

All are welcome, and entry prices are very reasonable.

Pay at the door, cash only, adults $25 and $20 for seniors and students.

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