2005

O Vos Omnes (Tomás Luis de Victoria, ca. 1548-1611)

Tomás Victoria was the most noted Spanish composer of the Renaissance. It is believed he studied with Palestrina in Rome.

Missa solemnis in C, K337 (Wolfgang A. Mozart, 1756-1791)

Composed in 1780, this missa brevis (brief mass) was most likely written for the Easter high mass in the Saltzburg cathedral for the Archbishop Hieronymus Count Colloredo. It is a festive and joyful mass with the exception of the dramatic Benedictus movement. The Agnus Dei, in contrast, appears in a distantly related key and features lyric melodies for the soprano and oboes. (Soloists: Soprano – Marty Friesen , Alto – Ruthann Lovetang, Tenor – Michael Petersen, Bass – David Irvine)

Kyrie
"Kyrie eleison! Christe eleison! Kyrie eleison!"
Lord have mercy! Christ have mercy! Lord have mercy!

Gloria
"Gloria in excelsis Deo, et in terra pax hominibus bonae voluntatis. Laudamus te, benedicimus te, adoramus te, glorificamus te. Gratias agimus tibi propter magnam gloriam tuam. Domine Deus, Rex coelestis, Pater omnipotens, Domine Fili unigenite, Jesu Christe. Domine Deus, agnus Dei, filius Patris. Qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis! Suscipe deprecationem nostram, qui sedes ad dexteram Patris. Miserere nobis. Quoniam tu solus sanctus. Tu solus Dominus. To solus altissimus, Jesu Christe. Cum Sancto Spiritu in gloria Dei Patris. Amen."
Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men of good will. We praise Thee, we bless Thee, we adore Thee, we glorify Thee. We give thanks to Thee, we praise Thee for Thy glory. Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father. Lord Jesus Christ, only begotten Son of the Father. Lord God, lamb of God, son of the Father. Thou who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou who takes away the sins of the world, receive our prayer. Thou who art seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us. For Thou alone art holy. Thou alone art the Lord. Thou alone art the most high, Jesus Christ. With thy Holy Spirit in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Credo
"Credo in unum Deum, Patrem omnipotentem, factorem coeli et terrae, visibilium omnium et invisibilium omnium. Et ex Patre natum ante omnia saecula, Deum de Deo, lumen de lumine, Deum verum de Deo vero, genitum, non factum, consubstatialem Patri, per quem omnia facta sunt, qui propter nos homines et propter nostram salutem descendit de coelis. Et incarnatus est de Spiritu Sancto ex Maria Virgine. Et homo factus est. Crucifixus etiam pro nobis sub Pontio Pilato: passus et sepultus est. Et resurrexit tertia die, secundum Scripturas. Et ascendit in caelum: sedet ad dexteram Patris. Et iterum venturus est cum gloria, judicare vivos et mortuos: cujus regni non erit finis. Et in Spiritum Sanctum Dominum, et vivificantem: qui ex Patre Filioque procedit. Qui cum Patre, et Filio simul adoratur et conglorificatur: qui locutus est per Prophetas. Et unum, sanctam catholicam et apostolicam Ecclesiam. Confiteor unum baptisma in remissionem peccatorum. Et expecto resurrectionem mortuorum. Et vitam venturi saeculi. Amen."
I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of earth and heaven, of all things seen and unseen. Begotten of the Father before all worlds. God from Gods, Light from light, true God from true God. Begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, through Him all things were made. For us and for our salvation He came down from heaven. And was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary. And was made man. Crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate, he suffered, and was buried. And on the third day he rose again, according to the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and he sits at the right hand of the Father. He shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead; and of his kingdom there will be no end. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son who together with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who spoke to us through the Prophets. And I believe in one, holy, catholic and Apostolic Church. I believe in the forgiveness of sins and the life everlasting. Amen.

Sanctus
"Sanctus, sanctus, sanctus dominus Deus Sabaoth. Pleni sunt coeli et terra gloria tua, osanna in excelsis!"
Holy, holy, holy Lord God of power and might. Heaven and earth are full of Thy glory. Hosanna in the highest.

Benedictus
"Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini. Hosanna in excelsis."
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

Agnus Dei (and Dona Nobis)
"Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis! Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona nobis pacem! "
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us! Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, grant us your peace.

Vita De La Mia Vita (William Hawley, 1950-)

"Vita de la mia vita, Tu mi somigli palidetta 0liva O rosa scolorita; Nè di beltà sei priva, Ma in ogniaspetto tu mi sei gradita, O lusinghiera o schiva; E se mi segui o fuggi, Soavemente mi consumi e struggi."
Life of my life, you are to me like a pallid olive or a fading rose; nor are you deprived of beauty, but in every way you please me, whether you flatter or shun; and whether you follow me or flee softly you consume and melt me.

William Hawley is a New York composer of international renown. This lovely choral madrigal is one of several commissioned by Chanticleer.  

Evening-Star (David Ashley White, 1944-) Text by Louise Bogan (1897-1970)

"Light from the planet Venus, soon to set, be with us. Light, pure and round, without heat or shadow, held in the cirrus sky, at evening: accompany what we do. Be with us; know our partial strength. Serve us in your own way, brief planet, shining without burning. Light, lacking words that might praise you; wanting and breeding sighs only."

David Ashley White is a composer of motets, anthems and hymns in the Anglo-American tradition. He is currently professor of composition and dean at Moores School of Music at the University of Houston, Texas. Louise Bogan is recognized as one of the great American poets of the twentieth century.

Speak of Peace (Allan Robert Petker, 1955-)

"Perceive of peace. Embrace the thoughts of tranquility: comfort, warmth, friendship, security. Let flow the words that listen and trust. What grace emerges from the whip? What strength is driven by the sword? What force can kindle restful fire? What willful creativity is spurred by twists of pain? Life cannot flourish out of death. Conceive of peace. Immerse in the light of understanding: love, respect, honesty, compassion. Let flow the words that listen and trust. Speak of peace."

“Speak of Peace” was premiered at the ACDA National Convention, Salt Lake City , Utah , 1985.

O Lux Beatissima (Howard Helvey, 1968-)

"O lux beatissima, reple cordis intima tuorum fidelium. Sine tuo numine, nihil est homine, nihil est innoxium."
O Light most blessed, fill the inmost heart of all thy faithful. Without your grace, there is nothing in us, nothing except that which is harmful.

Howard Helvey is organist and choirmaster at Calvary Episcopal Church in Cincinnati , as well as a concert pianist, conductor, composer and arranger.

Three settings of “O Magnum Mysterium ”

(original spelling) "O Magnum misterium et admirabile sacramentum ut animalia viderunt dominum natum iacentem in presepio. O Beata Virgo cuius viscera meruerunt portare dominum Iesum Christum. Alleluia."
O great mystery and wonderful sacrament that animals should see the Lord born lying in a manger. O Blessed Virgin, whose womb was worthy to carry the Lord Jesus Christ. Alleluia.

Tomás Luis de Victoria, ca. 1548-1611 (see O Vos Omnes)

Francis Poulenc (1899-1963) A strikingly original composer, Poulenc had no formal music education but is recognized as one of France ‘s greatest twentieth century composers.  

Morten Lauridsen (1948-) Currently professor of music at USC, Lauridsen’s music is performed throughout the world to great acclaim.

Black is the Color of My True Love’s Hair (Southern Appalachian Folk Song, Arr. Doug Andrews, 1947-)

"Black is the color of my true love’s hair. Her lips are something wondrous fair, the bluest eyes and the daintiest hands. I love the ground where on she stands. I love my love and well she knows I love the ground whereon she goes. But sometimes I wish the day will come that she and I will be as one."

Doug Andrews is published by numerous firms and is the dean of Cultural Programs at South Florida Community College .

O My Luve’s Like a Red, Red Rose (René Clausen, 1953-) Poem by Robert Burns (1759-1796)
A Scot who was born into poverty, Burns became one of the greatest poets, satirists and song writers of his day.

"O my Luve’s like a red, red rose that’s newly sprung in June. O my Luve’s like a melodie that’s sweetly played in tune. As fair art thou my bonny lass so deep in luve am I, I will luve thee still my dear till a’ the seas gang dry. I will love thee still my dear, while the sands of life shall run, till the seas gang dry, my dear, and rocks melt with the sun. As fair art thou my bonny lass so deep in luve am I, I will luve thee still my dear tho’ it were ten thousand mile."

René Clausen is the conductor of the Concordia Choir of Concordia College in Minnesota . His compositions are performed the world over.

Nelly Bly (Stephen Foster 1826-1864, Arr. Jack Halloran, 1916-1997)

"Hi Nelly! Ho Nelly! Listen love to me. I’ll sing for you, play for you a dulcet melody. Nelly Bly, Nelly Bly, bring the broom along. We’ll sweep the kitchen clean, my dear, and have a little song! Poke the wood, my lady love, and make the fire burn; And while I take the banjo down, just give the mush a turn! (Chorus)"

"Nelly Bly has a voice like a turtle dove, I hear it in the meadow and I hear it in the grove. Nelly Bly has a heart warm as a cup of tea; And bigger than a sweet potato down in Tennessee ! (Chorus) Nelly Bly, Nelly Bly, never, never sigh; Never bring a teardrop to the corner of your eye. (Chorus)"

Stephen Foster was one of the earliest professional American songwriters who wrote about the ordinary people in America .

Camptown Races (Stephen Foster, Arr. Jack Halloran)

"Gon to run all night, Gon to run all day, I bet my money on a bob-tailed nag (somebody bet on the bay). Camptown ladies sing this song, Doo-dah! Doo-dah! camptown racetrack five miles long, Oh! doo-dah day! I come down there with my hat caved in, Doo-dah! doo-dah! I go back home with a pocket full of tin, Oh! doo-dah day! (Chorus) The long tail filly and the big black hoss, Doo-dah! Doo-dah! fly the track and they both cut across, Oh! doo-dah day! The blind hoss stick in a big mud hole, Doo-dah! doo-dah! I can’t touch bottom with a ten foot pole, Oh! doo-dah day! (Chorus) Old muley cow come on to the track, Doo-dah! Doo-dah! The bob-tail fling her over his back, Oh! doo-dah day! Then fly along like a rail-road car, Doo-dah! doo-dah! runnin’ a race with a shootin’ star, Oh! doo-dah day! (Chorus) See them flyin’ in a ten mile heat, Doo-dah! Doo-dah! ’round the race track, then repeat, Oh! doo-dah day! I win my money on the bob-tail nag, Doo-dah! doo-dah! keep my money in an old tow bag, Oh! doo-dah day! (Chorus)"

Jack Halloran was a television music writer and conductor who worked for such greats as Dean Martin and Bing Crosby, and scored countless films.