The 39th Intervarsity Choral Festival: SYDNEY, 13 August-28 August 1988 Patron: <
> Chorusmaster: Ben Macpherson, John Grundy<
> Accompanist: Katherine Gibbney, Philip Mayers<
> Camp Venue: Stanwell Tops Conference Centre<
> Participants: AUCS, SCUNA, Faye Dumont Singers, FUCS, MUCS, MonUCS, MUS, NUCS, PUCS, QUMS, SUMS, TUMS<
> FIBS: SCOUTMASTER (Strict Choral Obedience: University-Tested Management Assistance Schedule. Third Edition, Revised) === COMMITTEE === Convenor: Stephen Schafer <
> Secretary: Tim Matthies<
> Treasurer: Andrew Thalis<
> ConMan: Siobhan Lenihan<
> Publicity: Philippa McDonald<
> Librarian: Guy White<
> Camp Officer: Hugh Swinbourne<
> Transport/Billeting: Matthew Brownlie<
> Social Sec: Cathy Bishop<
> Publicity Liaison: Noni Casey<
> Fundraising: Eileen Wilkinson<
> SUMS Liaison: Ian Seppelt === CONCERT 1 === 20 Aug.1988, Seymour Centre, University of Sydney<
> Conductor: Ben Macpherson<
> Soloists: Andrew Farrell<
> Program: Martin Wesley-Smith ''Songs of Australia'' (libretto by Peter Wesley-Smith)<
> Notes: Premiere performance. The concert also included Nicholas Routley conducting the Sydney University Chamber Choir in two songs by Percy Grainger and works by Ross Edwards (Flower Songs) and Claire Maclean (Christ the King), and Tony Backhouse conducting the Cafe of the Gate of Salvation Gospel Choir<
> Review: Peter McCallum, “When simple is simplistic”, Sydney Morning Herald, 23 Aug. 1988, p.16. “It was only in the main work of the program … receiving a first performance from the full Intervarsity Choir conducted by Ben Macpherson, that the escape from sophistication actually sharpened focus on the work’s message, the by now familiar tale of the follies of the last 200 years. The Wesley-Smiths cultivate a cabaret style, mixing pastiche and satire … Surviving intonation and rhythmic problems from the choir, the score is perhaps the most successful Wesley-Smith collaboration yet, carrying a strong message with unsubtle but telling directness”. === CONCERT 2 === 25 & 27 Aug., Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House<
> Conductor: Charles Dutoit<
> Soloists: Joan Carden, Amanda Thane, Jennifer Bates, Elizabeth Campbell, Bernadette Cullen, Horst Hoffmann, Michael Lewis, Donald Shanks<
> Program: Gustav Mahler, Symphony No.8 in E flat<
> Notes: For the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. With the Sydney Philharmonia Choirs, boys from St Mary’s Cathedral and Newington College<
> Review: Jill Sykes, “Barrage of monumental Mahler”, Sun-Herald, 28 Aug. 1988, p.112. “There’s no doubt about Mahler in monumental mode. It may not be the most satisfying musical experience, but as an event it is irresistible … There were only about 600 in this performance, but even that lessor [sic.] total took up nearly one quarter of the Opera House Concert Hall … The result of [the performers’] efforts was a thrilling barrage of well focused and keenly balanced sound, contrasting with quieter passages of equal intensity … it was certainly a magnificent achievement and a memorable concert". <
> Martin Long, “Big performance of a monumental work”, Australian, 29 Aug. 1988, p.10. “ By any measure it was a big event … Impressive from the outset and moving in its cumulative effect, it was a rare thing – a performance of a huge, difficult and unfamiliar work where nothing faltered and no allowances were needed to be made. The choirs were well-prepared and responsive, the orchestral playing first class." <
> Roger Covell, “Standing room only as Mahler’s army invades the auditorium”, Sydney Morning Herald, 27 Aug. 1988, p.79. “The assembled music-makers leapt into full-throated attack or settled into careful reconnaissance with admirable decisiveness. As a whole, singers and players had many reasons to feel proud to be associated with this occasion … the amount and quality of the choral contribution, which is the main element in larger numbers, were more than acceptable. There were some thrilling choral sounds, both loud and soft, and much certainty and readiness, notably in the intricate changes of vocal texture of the first movement.” === OTHER COMMENTS === An Australian bicentennial year event. Workshops held on 24 August: Jazz and other vocal techniques, Singing with soul, Southern Crossings, Australian sacred and colonial music, Percy Grainger, Intelligent choral singing. ---- ||'''Previous festival: [[AIV1987]] Next festival: [[CIV1989]]|| <>