DUN GORG: An oratorio.
Words by Oliver Friggieri, Music by Charles Camilleri. Marita Bezzina, Miriam Cauchi, Joseph Aquilina, Philip Farrugia Randon. Collegium Musicum Choir conducted by Dione Buhagiar, Orchestra conducted by Charles Camilleri MUSEUM Productions/Studio 7 TT: 43'' DDD.
A piece of music by Charles Camilleri is always a major event, particularly when it is associated with Malta's history as Pawlu ta' Malta demonstrates. This time, the composer teams up with Oliver Friggieri to create a work inspired by the life of Dun Gorg Preca, the Blessed who is held in so much veneration by all Maltese. In structure, the oratorio is broadly similar to Pawlu but contains some distinct differences. The opening introduction is long breathed and very serene, almost subtle in its inspiration and the chorus' entries are bold and powerful. Maltese folk music features constantly throughout the work, sometimes slightly more than is welcome, but very evocative nonetheless. There are three main parts, 'L- Ghazla tal- Bidu', 'It- Toqol tas- Sejha' and 'Il- Bxara ta' Dejjem'. All three soloists accredit themselves very well in the occasionally very demanding music but their diction is slightly unclear at times. Philip Farrugia Randon is his usual imposing self in the narratives, which are atmospherically recorded by Jo Debono and his team at Studio 7. Indeed the recording is of top-class quality throughout with violin solos, pianissimo pieces and large orchestral bits all very well handled, this is clarity without over-opulence. There are pieces in the work which are very stirring especially 'Il-Grazzja' and 'Il-Bxara' but the oratorio ends rather tamely with the words 'Dun Gorg' floating away into nothingness, a subtle effect but a bit too theatrical for my taste. Dun Gorg is certainly not a patch on Pawlu but all lovers of this great man will want to have something artistic to remember him by and that is what this CD certainly does.
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