About a year ago, I got a message from Mr. Peter Grandcourt. He discovered the original version of the Stabat Mater by Antonin Dvořák. This initial version for four soloists, choir, and piano was composed by Dvořák after the death of his daughter Josefa in 1875. He then put the work aside without orchestrating it. Soon after this, he lost two more children in 1877. At this point he returned to the manuscript he abandoned the previous year. I must say, I never heard about this piano-version before, and I am sure even Hans did not. According to Peter, only one recording of this work exists. Peter found it on Amazon.

But, how amazing! In the yearly Stabat Mater Concertweekend, organised by The Stabat Mater Foundation, this origial version will be performed. It is a Dutch premiere.

More information:
Saterday, April 1th at 17.00
Sunday, April 2nd at 14.30
St. Petrusbasiliek, Oirschot

Soloists:  Renate Arends (sopran), Carina Vinke (alto) Satriya Krisna (tenor) en Wiard Witholt (bas)
Choir: Brabant Koor
Piano: Ed Spanjaard
Conductor: Louis Buskens
Tickets: secretariaat@stabatmater.nl

I am looking forward to it.