A core of music

Work on the Music Centre of Christchurch's concert hall is finally complete, and the centre is ready to fill it with music.

St Cecilia, the patron saint of music and musicians, is probably smiling down as the Music Centre of Christchurch celebrates the end of a major renovation project in its concert hall.

The concert chamber, originally designed as the chapel for the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions by Joseph Munnings, Samuel Hurst Seager and Cecil Woods, is among the few examples of Byzantine revival architecture in the southern hemisphere. Completed in 1907, the panelled interior still features soaring windows, the original nuns' stalls and the grand, elliptical ceiling in cream and gold.

When the music centre moved into the buildings, the chapel, with its superb acoustics, became the natural choice as its performance space. Today, with the old heating having been replaced by an effective, silent radiant heating system, upgraded lighting and a new seating plan, the Maurice Till Concert Chamber Hall is already planning its concert schedule for the remainder of this year and beyond.

On the menu

Violinist Martin Riseley, accompanied by Maurice Till, will present works by Mozart and Strauss today at 7.30pm.

L'Estro Armonico Quartet, with Maurice Till, will perform works, including Mozart's Piano Quartet in G Minor on Friday, October 22, at 7.30pm.

Friday lunchtime performances include Exposition: A Personal Journey by Harry Ellerm (violin) today, a piano recital by students of Mark Secker on September 10, and a violin recital by students of Stephen Larsen on September 17.

For the man who gave his name to the concert hall, it is time to present "concerts of distinction" in a unique performance space.

"We've got an advantage here," Till says.

"We don't have to hire a hall. We've got a good organisation behind us, supported by the Friends of the Music Centre. We have a superb Steinway piano, one I really enjoy playing.

"We are at the point where two to three good concerts each week will cement the attitude of concert-goers.

"The concert hall is visually attractive, and acoustically grateful for singers and all instruments."

Planning for recitals will focus on artists "of a high professional standard".

"The music centre plans to offer recital engagements to well-known resident New Zealand musicians and to overseas singers and instrumentalists who come here to perform with an orchestra or opera company. Programmes will be selected to appeal to the music lover who enjoys the great works from the standard repertoire and admission prices will be held as low as possible.

"Recitals will be presented throughout the year as short series of two or three well- spaced performances.

"The public interest in recitals has gradually become overwhelmed by the number of prominently advertised concerts by orchestras, choirs and opera companies, but great artists the world over readily acknowledge that the solo recital is music-making of the highest level."

For details of the Music Centre of Christchurch's concert programme, see www.musiccentre.org.nz

- © Fairfax NZ News