In the Mechelen Onze-Lieve-Vrouw van Hanswijkbasiliek awaited a Christmas at the Court of the Bread Brothers of Joseph Haydn (1732-1809). Prince Anton II Esterházy de Galántha, the last representative of the noble family, could no longer experience it.
For this, Servus called upon an eight-member ensemble of equally dedicated and talented young musicians affiliated with the Joseph Haydn Privathochschule Eisenstadt. Austrians, such as viola player Camillo Kircher or mezzo Johanna Weinhoffer. But also talent from Slovenia, Taiwan, Kazakhstan, such as violinist Meryuert Almukambetova, or South Korea, such as soprano Seonyoung Moon. They made a musical journey from the intimate liturgical sonatas of Mozart to the grand religious genres of Haydn and Händel. Truly classical.
Apart from a very special 'Stille Nacht' by the two singers, a rocking 'Pifa' from Händel's 'Messiah' and the well-known 'Fatto per la Notte di Natale' by Corelli, without evoking the Christmas hype, which some secretly hoped for. Originality graced the programme. Because, let's be honest, a 'Missa Brevis' or the 'Stabat Mater' by Haydn and Church Sonatas by a young Mozart are hardly everyday fare.
Against the brisk approach of violinist Meryuert Almukambetova stood the quiet assurance that Bella Hoziasa radiated. With her long, blonde hair, she could have walked straight out of the group of making music angels around the 'Lamb of God'. Haydn's 'Cantilena pro adventu a due' received a beautiful organ introduction. His 'O quam tristis et afflicta' united soprano Seinyoung Moon and mezzo Johanna Weinhoffer harmoniously with each other.
The cello of Paula Smole was a delight for the ear and for the eye. It was an attractive instrument that stood out for the 'marbled' effect of the wood. It was a Romanian instrument that the cellist had received on loan from the Viennese instrument maker who is working on hers.
You're young, you want something, you can do something, but stay careful', that could be the motto of this fine company, which was prepared by violinist and pedagogue Mag.Cornelia Gradwohl (° Löscher), who recently performed in Mechelen with the Haydn Chamber Ensemble.