Con Anima
Encyclopedia
History
Con Anima was originally founded in 1995, and between that date and 1999 gave a number of concerts, mostly at St Mary’s Chapel, Blairs, Aberdeen.In late 2001 Con Anima re-formed, and met informally for several months, before asking local pianist Robert Howie to direct them in a public concert. They have performed several times a year ever since.
Con Anima regularly perform concerts in St Andrew's Cathedral, Aberdeen
St Andrew's Cathedral, Aberdeen
St Andrew's Cathedral, or the Cathedral Church of Saint Andrew, is a cathedral of the Scottish Episcopal Church situated in the Scottish city of Aberdeen...
, King's College, Aberdeen
King's College, Aberdeen
King's College in Old Aberdeen, Scotland is a formerly independent university founded in 1495 and an integral part of the University of Aberdeen...
and St Machar's Cathedral as well as travelling further afield. Among the high points of their performing history are a concert featuring Lux Aeterna and other works by renowned American composer Morten Lauridsen
Morten Lauridsen
Morten Johannes Lauridsen is an American composer. He was composer-in-residence of the Los Angeles Master Chorale and has been a professor of composition at the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music for more than 30 years.-Biography:Lauridsen was born February 27, 1943, in...
in the composer's presence as part of the 2007 Sound festival of contemporary music; and a concert of twentieth-century French music with the distinguished French organist Sophie-Véronique Cauchefer-Choplin, also in 2007.
In early 2008 Con Anima appointed Dr Paul Mealor
Paul Mealor
Paul Mealor is a Welsh composer. Described by the New York Times as "one of the most important composers to have emerged in Welsh choral music since William Mathias", Mealor’s motets, songs and cycles have been performed, broadcast and recorded by artists around the world.-Biography:Born in St...
, Senior Lecturer in Music and Concerts Coordinator at the University of Aberdeen
University of Aberdeen
The University of Aberdeen, an ancient university founded in 1495, in Aberdeen, Scotland, is a British university. It is the third oldest university in Scotland, and the fifth oldest in the United Kingdom and wider English-speaking world...
, as its principal conductor. However, they continue to work also with guest conductors including Dr Andrew Morrisson
Andrew Morrisson
Dr Andrew Morrisson, PhD ARCM BSc MRSC CChem CSci, is Organist and Master of the Choristers at St Andrew's Cathedral, Aberdeen, and Associate Head of the School of Pharmacy & Life Sciences at the Robert Gordon University.- Biography :...
, Organist and Master of Choristers at St Andrew's Cathedral, Aberdeen
St Andrew's Cathedral, Aberdeen
St Andrew's Cathedral, or the Cathedral Church of Saint Andrew, is a cathedral of the Scottish Episcopal Church situated in the Scottish city of Aberdeen...
, and Dr Roger Williams (organist)
Roger Williams (organist)
Dr Roger Bevan Williams, MBE is a British organist and musicologist. In 2010, he retired as Master of Ceremonial Music and Organist to the University of Aberdeen, a Music department in which he had been a member for over 30 years....
, Master of Chapel & Ceremonial Music and Organist to the University of Aberdeen
University of Aberdeen
The University of Aberdeen, an ancient university founded in 1495, in Aberdeen, Scotland, is a British university. It is the third oldest university in Scotland, and the fifth oldest in the United Kingdom and wider English-speaking world...
.
Repertoire
Con Anima’s repertoire spans sacred and secular music from the 16th to the 21st centuries and performances have included world premieres by Paul MealorPaul Mealor
Paul Mealor is a Welsh composer. Described by the New York Times as "one of the most important composers to have emerged in Welsh choral music since William Mathias", Mealor’s motets, songs and cycles have been performed, broadcast and recorded by artists around the world.-Biography:Born in St...
and Kyle McCallum.
Recordings
Con Anima's first CD, Paul Mealor: Stabat Mater, was released in October 2009. It includes several previously un-recorded works by Paul MealorPaul Mealor
Paul Mealor is a Welsh composer. Described by the New York Times as "one of the most important composers to have emerged in Welsh choral music since William Mathias", Mealor’s motets, songs and cycles have been performed, broadcast and recorded by artists around the world.-Biography:Born in St...
.
In August 2008 members of the choir took part in Phil Cunningham
Phil Cunningham
Phil Cunningham may refer to:*Phil Cunningham , Scottish accordionist with the folk group Silly Wizard*Phil Cunningham , English guitarist, member of New Order, Bad Lieutenant and Marion...
's Grace Notes - a television programme on Scottish church music, filmed in Monymusk Parish Church, Aberdeenshire and broadcast on BBC Two
BBC Two
BBC Two is the second television channel operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It covers a wide range of subject matter, but tending towards more 'highbrow' programmes than the more mainstream and popular BBC One. Like the BBC's other domestic TV and radio...
(Scotland) on 21 February 2009.