This weeks 6th of November 2012 edition of The Maltese Herald Gozo section is now available for download by clicking here

Previous editions are also available by clicking on this link.

This weeks articles in the PDF download are:

1. Mrs Margaret Abela launched the BOV Piggy Bank Campaign at the Gozo College Rabat Primary School. She was welcomed by the Head of School Lelio Spiteri, Assistant Head Silvio Grima and the Gozo College Principal Anita Sciberras.

The children attending the kindergarten classes performed an action song in the school’s courtyard. In the school hall, the school orchestra performed several numbers under the direction of Mariella Spiteri Cefai, the music teacher. Five pupils from Year 5 read a short message.

A donation towards l-Istrina and a bouquet of flowers were presented to Mrs Abela who reciprocated with a book donation to the school library. Mrs Abela also visited the Nurture Group Class and the School Library.

2. The Sacred Heart Minor Seminary welcomed the first head of state ever to have visited it. His Excellency Dr. George Abela, President of the Republic of Malta was welcomed by the Rector Rev. Can. Daniel Xerri, Headmaster Rev. Can. Noel Saliba and assistant-heads Fr. Michael Said and Fr. Charles Sultana and student Jonathan R. Young president of the Students’ Council. Members of the Students’ Council read a short historical outline of the school which was accompanied by a power-point presentation.

His Excellency then delivered a short speech and afterwards the school offered H.E. an original painting by student Jonathan R. Young and a replica of the winning poster at the International Eco Poster Competition by the same artist. The President donated several books for the school library.

The meeting ended with the singing of the popular Inti Djamant which is now well known among all and sundry. The orchestra also played the Innu lis-Seminarju Minuri which was written by Headmaster Fr. Noel Saliba. After the meeting with the entire school, President Abela was accompanied to the Major Seminary Hall where refreshments followed.

3. The Urbanus Concert Series, the recent brain-child of Chorus Urbanus Productions was launched at St James Church in Victoria. The scope of this new initiative is that of giving a platform to international artists invited to take part together with local protagonists in different venues around the city of Victoria.

The inaugural concert of this bi-monthly series presented to the Gozitan and foreign audience the eminent Professor Gottfried Schneider from the Hochschule of Performing Arts in Munich, Germany. It exposed the patrons that packed Saint James Church with the consummate artistry of the music of Johann Sebastian Bach. Schneider’s performing prowess was eloquently transmitted through the gorgeous sound of his 1728 Stradivari creation.

In the short introduction before the concert Dr Galea and Prof. Schneider enlightened the audience about the sequence of the established model of Bach’s time regarding the Sonata (sonata da chiesa) and the Partita (sonata da camera).

The programme featured Bach’s solo violin sonatas nos. 1 and 3 together with Partita no.1 that left the audience mesmerized by the carrying power of the Stradivarius and the subtle expressive dexterity of Prof. Schneider.

The concert came to a close with arguably the greatest piece of music ever conceived for solo strings – a 15-minute chaconne in which a single idea resonates through 31 variations that embrace a universe of artistry and expression.

The long applause that was granted to Prof. Schneider was tangible proof of the appreciation of the patrons. After the concert Prof. Schneider was delighted to meet a number of young Gozitan violinists introduced by Dr Galea to the eminent professor, whose recording of the entire set of Bach’s solo sonatas and partitas will be released on CD next month in Germany.

The next concert in the series will be the 15th edition of Il-Kuncert tal-Milied by Chorus Urbanus that will take place at St.George’s Basilica on Sunday 16th December.

Photograph – Mrs Margaret Abela launching the BOV Piggy Bank Campaign at the Gozo College Rabat Primary School.

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