| The Perosi Choir and Local Macau Choral Works
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| Written by perosi |
Wednesday, 29 October 2008
The Perosi Choir has always been dedicated to the promotion of music and culture in Macao. Works by composers from Macao have often been featured in our various concerts, and the thematic promotion of these pieces began with the “As Obras do Pe. Áureo Castro” in June, 2005. Two years later the “Concert of choral works of Doming Lam” and the “Concert of Macao Pieces” were held in succession and this year similar thematic concerts will be held in conjunction with the release of this present CD. “Macao choral pieces” refer to musical works of composers born in Macao or of expatriates who lived in Macao. For the past four centuries, the growth of the western musical tradition in Macao accompanied the spread of Catholicism, and the Catholic Church, which is inseparably tied to sacred music, has done more than preaching the faith in Macao. Its investment in the education of musical talents has yielded significant gain. In the last century, Bishop José da Costa Nunes invited two prestigious musicians to teach music and to head up the musical activities at the Seminário de São José: Fr. Ferdinando Maberini from Italy and Fr. Guilherme Schmid S.D.B. from Austria. They have composed copious choral pieces of superior quality to meet the needs of diverse liturgical events. Although some scores were lost, from what is left today we can affirm their invaluable contribution to the musical heritage of Macao. Subsequent brilliant composers include Fr. Maberini’s protégé, Msgr. António André Ngan, and Fr. Schmid’s students, Fr. Áureo Castro and Doming Lam. The former returned to Portugal for some time to pursue advanced studies while the latter went to North America for higher education, and both their works and accomplishments have received international recognition. Fr. Schmid’s students also include Bishop Domingos Lam, Fr. Lancelote Miguel Rodrigues, Fr. Tadeu Tang Si Yan, Msgr. Anthony Lau Chi Ming and Dr. Pedro José Lobo (a past student of Seminário de São José who had written various types of music). There are also other local composers in Macao – João Ng, Young Lam and Inácio Vong. Though not formally trained in music at the Seminary, they are nurtured in the same spirit through Fr. Áureo Castro who once took João Ng as a student. Joao Ng, admittedly strongly influenced by his master, in turn became the teacher of Young Lam and Inácio Vong. Artistic creation is a city’s lifeblood which reveals its character. However, efforts at the preservation, research, collection, publication, promotion and initiation of local artistic production in Macao are still at their early stages. Thus the release of this CD against this backdrop serves not only as a means of perpetuating the presence of these cultural heritage digitally or vocally, but also as an incentive to draw music-lovers’ attention to the study of these materials – all in the hope of further enriching Macau’s artistic landscape and of enhancing its value through quality recreation. As Macao choral works exude their élan vital when rendered by actual human voices, the performers themselves are uplifted with a sense of affirmation, accomplishment and belonging to Macao. The School of Christian Studies and the Saint Joseph Center for Christian Studies, now situated on the site of the historical Seminário de São José are naturally interested in this wonderful rendering of traditional and sacred music born from the history of Macau. As a University, the Macau Inter-University Institute is committed to carrying forward preservation and innovation in the Arts. Our collaboration and support of the talented Coro Perosi is part of our vision and one that we wish to develop.
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