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16/8/2002

Actus Tragicus

Presbyterian Church, Singapore

Musica Obscura presents a concert featuring the music of J. S. Bach. An evening to contemplate life and death through the rhetorical and allegorical references in his music.

Programme: J. S. Bach (1685-1750)
Motet "Komm Jesu Komm" BWV 229
Cantata "Gottes Zeit ist die Allerbeste Zeit" BWV 106 and other works.
The Dance of Death (Danse Macabre, Totentanz) was a constant allegorical theme in historical art, music and literature. Based on the popular belief fostered by plagues and wars, the dead would rise from their graves and tempt the living. The dance of death was first embodied in murals and a poem in the Church of the Holy Innocents in Paris (1424-25). Then in 1485, the Parisian printer, Guyot Marchant published a version in woodcuts and verse, which eventually circulated throughout Europe. The dance of death was subsequently painted on many church walls and inspired a famous set of 40 drawings by the German painter Hans Holbein the Younger.

One of Bach's responsibilities as the Thomaskantor in Leipzig included composing music for special occasions. At least 3 motets have been identified as been written for funeral services or the 'Gedächtnisgottesdients', probably for the deceased upper class. The text of the Motet "Komm Jesu Komm" is by Paul Thymisch (1651-1694), and was previously used by Thomaskantor Johann Schelle in 1684, for the death of Rector Jacob Thomasius.

On 10 August 1708, while at Mühlhausen, Bach's maternal uncle, Tobias Lämmerhirt died at Erfurt. The Cantata BWV 106 'Gottes Zeit ist die Allerbeste Zeit' otherwise known as the Actus Tragicus, was composed for this reason and performed at his funeral on 14 August. The orchestra is delicate, funereally muted 'chamber' ensemble comprising just five instruments (two recorders, two violas da gamba and continuo). This is contrasted by four florid and soloistic voices. It is suggested that symbolically, the pastoral recorders represent all tangible things on earth, while the ethereal viola da gambas represent our inevitable submission to death.

Bio - Shaun Ng

In 2000, Shaun Ng formed Musica Obscura (Singapore) in which he currently directs. Through this group, he has managed to sustain a series of concert, regularly exploring the less popular early repertoire on period instruments. So far, the group has performed in The Substation, YMS Auditorium, St. Patrick's Chapel, Armenian Church and the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts.

Shaun Ng was once a believer of the Russian school of violin. He has since learned better after going to Vienna to study modern violin. There he met viola da gambist, Prof. José Vázquez who him the error of his ways. After further study with Prof. José Vázquez, Shaun received a scholarship to study at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. There he studied with Richard Boothby and Dr. Lucy Robinson, and attended numerous courses and master classes, with Andrew Parrott, Paul Esswood, Margaret Faultless, and many others. He also studied baroque violin, continuo and voice, with Oliver Webber, Dr. Andrew Wilson-Dickson and Buddug Verona James respectively. He has since established himself as one of the most versatile baroque musicians, frequently leading from the harpsichord, violin or viola da gamba. Recent concerts include the Norwegian Arts Centre series, Aust EM Festival, the Substation's Septfest Festival and others. His performances have all been received with resounding enthusiasm, with favourable articles and reviews in the Arts Magazine, The Strait Times, and other periodicals. He is frequently interviewed by Passion 99.5FM and was recently featured on the "Art Nation" programme on the Arts Central Channel (TV12 Singapore).

In 2002, Shaun Ng will move to the Netherlands to continue his early music studies at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam (Amsterdam Conservatory) with viola da gambist, Mieneke van der Velden.

"... revealed Ng as an accomplished musician in the control of his craft, and both the instrument and the music seemed to suit his temperament perfectly." Matthew Lim, The Arts Magazine, Singapore.

"... the continuo on the harpsichord provided by Shaun Ng was very idiomatic, with attractive ornamentation and fill-in notes as Bach himself would have done." Winston Seah, The Arts Magazine, Singapore.

List of Musicians

MUSICA OBSCURA
dir. Shaun Ng

Abel Teo, Zhuo Min - Soprano
Emil Cheong, Jeremy Lim - Alto
Alan Lau, Wilson Goh - Tenor
Hoe Gim Yau, Ng Tian Hui, Kee Kirk Chin - Bass

Geoffrey Benjamin - Recorder
Adriel Yap - Recorder
Shaun Ng - Viola da Gamba
Masatoshi Ichikawa - Viola da Gamba
Voo Chee Kee - Violoncello
Goh Toh Chai - Organ

Prinsep Street Presbyterian Church
77 Prinsep Street
17th August 2002 8.00 PM
Admission: Free. A retiring collection will be made after the performance for the benefit of the church and the performers.

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