A Night at The Cathedral - Mdina, Malta (24 Feb 2018) (2/8)

The Concert 'A Night at The Cathedral' - 24th February 2018
by the St. Peter Philarmonic Society, Birżebbuġa Symphonic Band
under the Direction of Mro. Michael Bugelli A.T.C.L. The band was accompanied by tenor Charles Vincenti and Sopran Ruth Sammut Casingena.

Aim and Introduction:

This concert was put up by the St. Peter Philarmonic Society, Birzebbuga Symphonic Band A.D. 1990 to commemorate the 50th anniversary (1968-2018) from Saint Pope Paul VI declaration that the relics found in the Necropolis Chamber exactly beneath the Vatican's Basilica Main Altar were the true and authentic remains of the holy and martyred body of Saint Peter Apostle, Patron Saint of the City of Birzebbuga, Malta. A logo with the motto 'Petros Eni' was designed by Kevin Barun a member and musician of our band to commemorate this special anniversary.

Repertoire:

01. POPULAR HYMN TO SAINT PETER APOSTLE (BIRZEBBUGA)
(Music) Mro. Carmelo Pace
(Lyrics) Dun Frans Camilleri
Link:    • A Night at The Cathedral - Mdina, Mal...  
Notes: This Year we are celebrating the 25th anniversary from the demise of Mro. Carmelo Pace. This is the first time that this hymn is being played inside Mdina Metropolitan Cathedral. It has to be said that all the works and manuscripts of this Maltese prolific composer are kept inside Mdina Metropolitan Cathedral Museum and archives.

02. PRELUDIO (Excerpt from the Cantata 'Tu Es Petrus')
Music by Ray Sciberras
Link:    • A Night at The Cathedral - Mdina, Mal...  
Notes: This Cantata, comprising the Preludio was commissioned and specifically composed for our Philarmonic Society between 1999 and 2000.

03. AVE MARIA (from the Movie Joyeux Noel)
Music by Phillip Rhombi
Arranged for Band by Mro. Chris Sciberras
   • A Night at The Cathedral - Mdina, Mal...  
Notes: This beautiful 'Ave Maria' was performed for the first time in Malta by our band on this particular occasion. This Ave Maria was performed to give honour to Or Lady of Sorrows, Co-Patroness of the city of Birzebbuga. We performed this music because it is found in a movie based on WWI and this year (2018) we are also commemorating the 100th anniversary from the end of the Great War (1918-2018). This 'Ave Maria' was sponsored by Josef Schembri a local musician and member of our band.

04. DOLCE SENTIRE (from the movie 'Fratello Sole, Sorella Luna)
Music by Riziero Ortolani
Link:    • A Night at The Cathedral - Mdina, Mal...  
Arranged by our Honorary Bandmaster Mro. Gennaro Sibilano
Notes. This arrangement was generously donated by our honorary bandmaster Mro. Gennaro Sibilano to whom we are deeply grateful. Grazie Maestro Sibilano.

05. Selections from the Maltese Movie ANNO DOMINI XXXIII
Music by Mro. Ray Sciberras
Arranged for Band by Mro. Ray Sciberras
Link:    • A Night at The Cathedral - Mdina, Mal...  
Notes: This Selection was arranged specifically for our band to be played on this special occasion. The concert was held at the beginning of Lent and the artistic committee was of the idea that the band should play something that is strongly related to the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ. On contacting Mro. Ray Sciberras he gave us the idea of arranging for our band the soundtrack of the Maltese Movie Anno Domini XXXIII which he himself was commissioned to composed 10 years ago in 2008. This arrangement was once again sponsored by Josef Schembri a local musician and member of our band.

06. Symphony No. 1 'THE ARCHANGELS'
Music by Franco Cesarini
Link: https://www.youtube.com/embed/rcUQcJp...
Notes: This majestic work was composed specifically for Symphonic band in 2016 by world renowned Maestro Franco Cesarini. This work is divided in 4 movements, each movement dedicated to one of the 4 archangels (Mvt. 1 - Archangel Gabriel; Mvt 2 - Archangel Raphael; Mvt 3. - Archangel Michael; Mvt 4. Archangel Uriel). This work is entirely based on old Gregorian chants. This is the first time that this challenging yet beautiful work is being presented and performed in Malta.

07. OMAGGIO GĦALL-FILARMONIKA SAN PIETRU BIRŻEBBUĠA
Music by Alexander Caruana
Arranged for Band by Simon Farrugia
Link:    • A Night at The Cathedral - Mdina, Mal...  
Notes: This Omaggio was composed with the intent of being performed for the first by our band on this special occasion. It was donated to our band by Mr. Alexander Caruana, Executive President of our Philarmonic Society to commemorate this special event.