Performance: Malta Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Michael Laus

About Elegy:

“Elegy is perhaps one of Christopher Muscat’s most accessible works and, understandably, one of the most frequently performed both in Malta and abroad. It was originally entitled Dirge and written for horn and piano in 2003 but the work’s popularity led to a number of arrangements (for viola and piano, for cello and piano, for violin trio for organ, for wind band and for full orchestra). The orchestral version, renamed Elegy and dedicated to the December 2004 Tsunami victims, received its first performance in January 2005 by the National Orchestra of Malta under the direction of Michael Laus. Elegy is very evocative of the composer’s typical contemplative compositions particularly in the extended opening solo. When the orchestra joins in with bell-like chords on the harp, the strings introduce the main lyrical theme followed by a short moment of repose before picking up momentum on its way towards the main climax of the work. The work subsides and peacefully fades away.”

– Malta International Arts Festival

About Christopher Muscat:

“Christopher Muscat was born 1977 in Malta. He got his Bachelor of Arts degree in music studies from the University of Malta as well of the University of Surrey (UK) where he studied composition and choral and orchestral conducting.
Since his professional conducting debut in 2000, Muscat has collaborated very closely with the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra and the Malta Youth Orchestra.
For many years Muscat has taught music at the University of Malta and sacred music at the Archbishop’s Seminary.  He holds many positions in the world of music: guest conductor of local and international orchestras and ensembles, Artistic Director and Chairman of the Malta International Choir Festival, member of the World Choir Council and judge to international vocal, instrumental and composition competitions.
He is the recipient of many prices, for example in the UK and Spain  He has premiered numerous works by contemporary composers and also recorded for television as well as for the international label GegaNEW. He was the conductor of the world premiere  (2015) and of the recording of the Stabat Mater by Euchar Gravina, his fellow composer, also from Malta.
APS Bank Malta has in its National Competition for Maltese composers the category composing a sacred oratorio-type work on the Latin text of the Stabat Mater. In 2012 Muscat was the winner in this category. His impressive oeuvre contains two Stabat Maters: a little one from 1998 and the Stabat Mater from 2012.”

– Stabat Mater