Aloysiad 15-12 2006.indd - St Aloysius

from the senior school
possible by Dr Yves Jaffrès, a world authority on Corrette
from Lyon in France, with whom I have had a continuous,
happy collaboration since the mid 1990s. (We are
currently working upon an edition of Corrette’s organ book
of 1787, the last organ works published in France prior to
the French Revolution.)
The choice of a Corrette concerto for the inaugural
Anthony Wallington concert had several layers of
significance, all of which I outlined to Martin in one of our
many communications. Corrette held two prestigious posts
as organist in Paris: one of these was at the Jesuit church of
St Louis in Paris until 1764 when the Order was expelled
from France by Louis XV. Corrette was a pedagogue par
excellence: with no fewer than seventeen published music
teaching methods to his credit, spanning a wide range of
musical instruments from the violin to the hurdy-gurdy. These
concertos would have certainly involved his students during
the weekly music-making soirées at his residence. Why not
have Old Boys of the College and current students, perform
such a concerto at the Anthony Wallington concert?
Moreover, there was a third, valid element: the chapel is
a Jesuit one. Martin was totally convinced of the rationale
of all this and the result was a successful performance of
the sixth concerto in D Minor which was scored for three
violins, viola, cello, flute and organ.
Towards the end of 2005, I had a phone call from
the Director of Music at the College, Michael Hissey,
which resulted in a hand-picked group of musicians: James
Zwar (Violin I), Alex Smith (Violin II), Jonathan Chan (Violin
III), Cameron Hissey (Viola – SAC 2005), Angus Ryan
(Cello – SAC 2005) and Findley Hipkin (Flute). Cameron
Hissey would be the recording engineer and editor, and
James Goldrick (SAC 2005), former organ scholar, gladly
accepted the invitation to be my assistant at the console
in addition to being a very valuable second set of ears.
James Dixon (SAC 2004), another former organ scholar,
became the convenor of musicians and had arranged the
first meeting in the January holidays.
The synergy of this group exceeded my expectations.
I must confess that I have rarely experienced the joy of
performing with such a dynamic group of young players.
I sincerely feel that a prayer was answered and I am
convinced that this project was being divinely guided. On
the evening of Sunday 5 February, we had successfully
recorded Concertos no. 2, 3 and 6 all within two hours.
Ever conscious that the students had just started a new
school year and with the time-consuming commitments of
Jesus Chris Superstar looming, I judiciously decided to
record the remaining three concertos as organ solos, an
option which Corrette specified in his preface.
As ‘filler items’ on this CD, I have chosen a small
selection of works from Corrette’s 1756 organ book,
none of which has ever been recorded. The Létourneau
op 22 organ in the College Chapel is truly a ‘Rolls Royce
instrument’ and speaks with the requisite French accent!
These musical gems are as enjoyable to play as they are to
St Aloysius’ College
A Jesuit School for Boys _ Founded 1879
listen to. For those who are unfamiliar with the organ and
its vast repertoire, let these works speak for themselves and
transport the listener to a bygone era.
Mr Pastór de Lasala (SAC 1975)
Copies of the CD are available from the College
Development Office (tel: 02 9922 1177) for $25
per copy including postage. All funds raised from the
sale of the CD will be directed to the Dr Anthony Wallington
(SAC 1959) Memorial Music Scholarship. The College is
indebted to Pastor and the other Old Boys associated with
the production of this fine CD, for their generosity in support
of the ongoing promotion of Music at the College and the
extraordinary support they have given to the establishment
of this Music Scholarship dedicated to the memory of the
late Dr Anthony Wallington (SAC 1959).
From the Languages Department
We have had a very successful year again
in the Languages Department with our boys
performing exceptionally well in external exams
and competitions and having a great deal of fun in their
annual Drama Workshop where they participated in drama
games and activities using their French to communicate.
In Latin our boys did exceptionally well in both exams
and competitions. For many of the CLTA Competitions it is
our first year of performing or competing and so our boys
are showing much potential. A quick summary of our results
in Latin are:
Latin Reading Competition our Year 9 Team were placed
third in the Chorus Section.
The Year 9 Team won the Orpheus Award For
Encouragement
American Classical League Exams. An International
Competition
Daniel F (Year 8) received full marks in the Introduction
to Latin Exam
Kieran Kishore (Year 9) won a Gold Medal in the Latin
I Section.
Joe McKenzie and Ignatius Wilson (both Year 9) were
awarded Silver Medals.
In the Latin II Section, Peter Robinson and Daniel Lynch
(both Year 10) were awarded Gold Medals.
In the Prose III Section, Jeremy Marel (Year 11) won a
Gold Medal.
In Japanese our boys sat for their ACER Examinations
which are similar to the NSW University Exams however
ACER exams are Australasian exams sat by Japanese
students in Australia and New Zealand.
Years 9 and 10 sat for the Beginners levels with
eighty percent of the boys achieving Distinctions and the
remainder being awarded High Distinctions. Year 11 sat
for the Intermediate Level with all students being awarded
Distinctions.
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