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Keys to Heaven

This recording by the Australian Chamber Choir starts with a work composed in 18th century Venice by an orphan of the Ospedale della Pietà, and reconstructed by Elizabeth Anderson. Works by Palestrina, and Allegri are also featured.

Artists

Australian Chamber Choir

The Australian Chamber Choir was founded by Douglas Lawrence in July 2007.

Douglas Lawrence

Melbourne organist Douglas Lawrence is Director of Music at The Scots' Church and Teacher of the Organ at the University of Melbourne and was the founding director of Choir of Ormond College, a position he held from 1982 to 2006.


Press quotes

“A small Venetian jewel shines again after 300 years. Back in 2021, Melbourne harpsichordist, singer and musicological sleuth Elizabeth Anderson brought to light the work of a physically disabled orphan named Agata. Born without the fingers of her left hand, Agata resided in Venice’s Ospedale della Pietà, made famous by the presence of the “red priest” Antonio Vivaldi. Sympathetically reconstructed by Anderson, Agata’s cantata Ecce nunc, a setting of Psalm 134, is a graciously lyrical six-movement work that probably would have been sung at Compline, the last monastic service of the day. After touring the work through Victoria and then to Venice itself, the Australian Chamber Choir has now given this charming work a worthy first recording after three centuries of obscurity. Directed by Douglas Lawrence, the ACC and a small string ensemble endow the score with focussed intimacy, further enhanced by agile soprano and alto soloists drawn from the choir’s ranks. After this revelatory Venetian experience, come concert recordings of works by celebrated Roman composers, Palestrina and Allegri. Both Palestrina’s Missa Aeterna Christi munera and Tu es Petrus benefit from clarity of ensemble and diction, qualities also present in Allegri’s Miserere, presented in the version popularised last century with a succession of glorious high Cs sung by Elspeth Bawden. A splendid Easter motet for double choir, Christus resurgens is sung with abundant verve, reflecting the joy of the resurrection and thus allowing this disc to begin and end with uplifting choral discoveries.”

— Tony Way, Limelight

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Audio previews

Track Listing

    Ecce nunc Agata della Pietà Arr: Elizabeth Anderson

  1. Ecce nunc
  2. Qui statis in domo Domini
  3. In noctibus
  4. Benedicat te
  5. Gloria Patri
  6. Sicut erat in principio
  7. Tu es Petrus Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina

    8. Missa Aeterna Christi munera Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina

  8. Kyrie
  9. Gloria
  10. Credo
  11. Sanctus
  12. Benedictus
  13. Agnus Dei I
  14. Agnus Dei II
  15. Miserere Gregorio Allegri
  16. Christus resurgens Gregorio Allegri

Performers

Composers

Agata della Pietà

Italian composer Agata (1712-1769) whose surname is unknown, is identified in the records simply by her first name Agata (Italian spelling of Agatha), or as Agata Cantora (cantora means ‘singer’). She arrived at the Pietà in 1712, most likely given up by her parents because of her apparent disability. Agata soon shone as a star student.

Elizabeth Anderson

Elizabeth Anderson has performed in no less than eleven international concert tours to Europe, Japan and Singapore. She is a regular guest lecturer and performer at universities and music schools throughout Australia.


Where to buy

Keys to Heaven is available as as CD. It can be purchased online through Buywell Music or the Australian Music Centre which both offer secure online ordering.

Move CDs can be ordered through music retailers across Australia including Readings.

Product details

List price
$25.00 AUD
Engineer
Martin Wright
Release date
May 2024
Copyright
© 2024 Australian Chamber Choir
Phonogram
℗ 2024 Move Records
Category
Choral
Catalogue number
MCD 659
Alternate catalogue number
MCD659
Barcode
EAN 9314574065923