Friday, May 25, 2012

ESKimos feature in the breaking of the "Gothic Curse"



 "The Curse of the Gothic Symphony" is a feature-length documentary that lifts the veil on the epic journey taken by a band of Brisbanites to perform the biggest symphony ever composed and has finally made its way  to Brisbane's Event Cinema for all to see.  Three members of our own Esk Community Choir, Tom Byrne, Kathleen Watts and Sue Walker, were a part of the Chorus of this historical event and that these three shining stars in this mighty musical heaven were able to place the name of the ESK COMMUNITY CHOIR alongside the names of some of the greatest Choirs in Queensland is truly praise worthy.
Kathleen Watts, Tom Byrne & Susan Walker
The Gothic Symphony in D minor is described as the musical equivalent of climbing Mt. Everest and credited by the Guinness Book of World Records as being the largest Symphony ever written.  Until December 2010, it had not been performed in 30 years, only three times since its completion in 1927, never outside Britain and never, until this time, in its entirety, all these bearing testimony to its extreme difficulty.  Involving a 160 piece orchestra, 2 brass bands, 300 choristers, a 50 voice children's choir, 4 soloists... almost 600 people on stage, the "Symphony No. 1 in D Minor, The Gothic", had gone unperformed due to its enormous logistical requirements. Composed by the Englishman, Havergal Brian in 1919, the work was for this and many reasons also believed to be cursed.
Under the auspices of 4MBS Classic FM's Gary Thorpe and his 30 years of harbouring a "Gothic obsession", a team of willing and enthusiastic producers, musical and creative directors a   choral conductor willing to come on board, musicians and choristers from Brisbane and around the world, the curse has now been broken.   Kathleen, Tom and Sue from the ESK COMMUNITY CHOIR were privileged to be a part of the Symphony's Chorus, billed as a "spectacle of musical gigantism and sensory beauty".  And it truly was and is beautiful, as well as powerful and at times quite complex, with anguished outbursts alongside serene beauty and it deserved to be heard.  Under the Choral direction of the enormously talented Alison Rogers and under the baton of Maestro John Curro, it was heard at QPAC on 22nd December 2010 by an enthusiastic, completely sold-out house who watched this "colossus rise from its long slumber".
The story of the Gothic Symphony and its previous failed attempts to stage it has inspired the making of this documentary film, “The Curse of the Gothic Symphony". Commissioned by the ABC seven years ago, it was a strong impetus for Gary Thorpe and his team to complete the task.  It is a gripping, often humorous and inspiring feature-length film that parallels the life of the composer, Havergal Brian, with the epic journey of the team trying to stage its performance against all odds.  This amazing film made its Australian premiere at the Melbourne International Film Festival in 2011 receiving standout high praise and accolades from the public and critics alike.  It was again screened at the Brisbane International Film Festival last year to packed audiences many of whom, by no coincidence, were part of the cast.  The homegrown connection aside, this is a major musical Symphony of historical significance, attempted by many but achieved by Brisbane's own, staged in Brisbane, the journey now for all to see produced on film and starring a chorus of highly credentialed unique human beings who accepted this huge challenge.

By Susan Walker
www.eskchoir.webs.com