The Tooten family name is a name that resonates in musical circles. The muse of music was generous in distributing talent. Lode Tooten developed into a musical versatile talent. He is active in many musical fields as a pianist, organist, vibraphonist, organist, bagpiper, drummer, carillonneur and last but not least conductor of orchestras and choirs.
Time flies. Thirty years ago he started Scala Vocale in Mechelen with a handful of singers. In the meantime, that small group has grown into a choir of more than 60 dedicated and passionate singers. This is thanks to the input of the conductor. He wanted to move away from choir singing where the notes written are sung very consistently. He wanted to make music from the heart, music with a soul in it. In doing so, he is not afraid to push emotions on the accelerator, but does so in a controlled, transparent and stylish manner. The ambition of Scala Vocale is and was to score as high as possible as amateurs. Scala Vocale is not an amateur choir, but a choir of amateurs that is committed with heart and soul to rise above itself. This mindset also attracts choir members from other choirs who want to join in a project.
The second weekend of December will celebrate the 30th anniversary with a prestigious concert.
During corona, Lode Tooten, like everyone else, was confronted with the finiteness of life. Now past seventy, he drew up a bucket list with the premise and underlying idea of only doing things he likes to do.
For this anniversary concert, he makes a golden selection from the music repertoire with the 'Te Deum' by Charpentier, by far the composer's best-known work. He wrote it in the late 1680s. Why this choice? This as a thank you for his beautiful career but also to thank people who played a role over those 30 years in the many musical projects that Scala Vocale has realized and to commemorate members who have passed away.
As a second part, the immortal 'Requiem' by Mozart. The unfinished work of the master. Death was the spoilsport. The musical syntax and rhetoric of Mozart's swan song knew no rest and flowed smoothly after his death over all those pages that were written by others.
The 'Requiem', the musical expression of universal sorrow about death. Church music of the noblest kind, unadorned and sober. That this work is counted as part of Mozart's oeuvre is thanks to his former student, friend and colleague Franz Xaver Süsmayr, who took on the interrupted composition project at some point and completed the polyphonic music. It is music that above all breathes respect: for the past, for the present and for death.
A beautiful and justified choice in the context of the choir's anniversary. This performance becomes even more special through the contribution of English conductor and composer Howard Arman. After twenty years of intensive study of the work, Howard Arman has incorporated his insights into its completion, with care and respect for Mozart's great original. Thus his Lacrimosa offers surprising effects. The premiere of this version by Arman took place in October 2020 in Munich in a performance by the Bavarian Radio Choir and was enthusiastically received by both the audience and the press and celebrated as a scientifically substantiated, entirely new perspective on Mozart's masterpiece.
The performance by Scala Vocale is the premiere of this version in Belgium.
In recent weeks, the choir members have been intensively prepared according to the maestro's standards and expectations. The mixed choir Scala Vocale is accompanied by the Baroque Orchestra of the Mechelen Conservatory, prepared by Ann Cnop. Soloists are: Christel De Meulder (soprano), Anita Dur (alto), Jan Caals (tenor) and Joris Stroobants (bass)
The whole thing is conducted by Lode Tooten
Tickets € 25 (incl. reception) tickets can be ordered from choir members or at UITinMechelen via https://ticketshop.ticketmatic.com/mechelen/scalavocale