Saturday 9 January 2010 at 7.30pmSt Leonard’s church, lexden road
colchester CO3 4BL
Britten - A Ceremony of Carolsand works by
Victoria, Berlioz, Howells, Cornelius, Warlock, Poulencand Alan Bullard (first performance)
Tanya Houghton (harp)
Colchester Chamber Choir inaugural concertDirector Roderick Earle
three kings from Persian lands
music for epiphany and the new year
Colchester Chamber Choir
Colchester Chamber Choir was started in autumn 2009. After four years of directing the Colchester Summer Choir Roderick Earle decided to form a new auditioned choir of no more than twenty-six mixed voices which could perform throughout the year with only eight rehearsals for each concert. To compliment the
repertoire of other choirs in the town, the choir seeks to promote and perform challenging works suitable for the smaller choir, particularly from the pre-baroque era and 19th and 20th centuries. Lesser known works and works in their original language will be given special attention.
Michael Roderick Earle began singing as a chorister in Winchester Cathedral before reading music and singing as a Choral Scholar in the renowned St. John’s College Choir, Cambridge under George Guest. He went on to sing with the BBC Singers, the London Sinfonietta and in the Monteverdi Choir before starting a career in opera. He was a principal baritone with the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden for twenty-one years singing over sixty solo roles and has sung in opera and concerts all over the world. He recently sang the role of Jack Hubbard in John Adam’s Dr Atomic with English National Opera, and Dancaire in Carmen with Norwegian Opera. Next year he will appear at the Adelaide Festival in Australia as Nekrozar in Ligeti’s Le Grand Macabre. He is also a part-time singing professor at The Royal College of Music.
Alan Bullard’s music is performed and broadcast world-wide. He is particularly associated with choral music– his Glory to the Christ Child was sung at the Christmas Eve Service of Nine Lessons and Carols at Kings College Cambridge in 2007 and 2008. After many years of teaching Alan now works as a full-time composer and examiner. In 2008 he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Essex.
Tanya Houghton studied music at Cambridge before pursuing advanced studies in the harp at the Royal Academy of Music, London and the Ecole Normale de Musique de Paris. A freelance professional in both England and abroad, she is in demand across a wide range of genres; orchestrally, in chamber groups and as a collaborative accompanist to choral and vocal music.
Colchester Chamber Choir is delighted to have the services of Peter Humphries and Alan Bullard as rehearsal pianists. We are also grateful to an anonymous donor for a contribution towards publicity costs.
Colchester Chamber Choir members
altos Angela Bostock
Mary Bullard
Eleanor Campbell
Patsy Cosgrove
Mary Stamp
Lynne McKay
Colchester Chamber Choir’s next concerttwo worlds - choral works from europe and america
(Verdi, Bruckner, Barber and Ives)April 17th 2010 at St Leonard’s Church, Lexden Road, Colchester
sopranos Joy Burnford
Liz Curry
Jill Newton
Lesley Orrock
Linda Pearsall
Charlotte Walters
tenors Terry Blunden
Richard Mason
Amrit Nasta
Tim Wilson
basses Andrew Burnford
Ian Cook
Peter Kenvyn-Jones
Sean Moriarty
Peter Newton
Stephen Smith
Programme
O Magnum Mysterium Tomás Luis de Victoria (1548-1611) A Boy was Born Benjamin Britten (1913-1976)
L’Adieu des Bergers Hector Berlioz (1803-1869) A Spotless Rose Herbert Howells (1892-1983)Baritone solo - Sean Moriarty
A New Year Carol Benjamin Britten (1913-1976) Three Kings from Persian Lands afar Peter Cornelius (1824-1874) (arr. Ivor Atkins) Baritone solo - Sean Moriarty
A Hymn to the Virgin Benjamin Britten (1913-1976)Quartet – Charlotte Walters, Eleanor Campbell, Terry Blunden, Andy Burnford
Bethlehem Down Peter Warlock (1894-1930)
Intervalwine and soft drinks available
Quatre Motets pour le Temps de Noel Francis Poulenc (1899-1963)1. O Magnum Mysterium2. Quem Vidistis Pastores Dicite3. Videntes Stellam4. Hodie Christus Natus Est
And all the stars looked down Alan Bullard (b. 1947) Child in the Manger, Lord of All (1st perf.) Alan Bullard (b. 1947) Soloists - Mary Bullard, Terry Blunden and Andy Burnford
Scots Nativity Alan Bullard (b. 1947)
A Ceremony of Carols Benjamin Britten (1913-1976) Soloists – Hannah Todd and Dallyce Thiessen
1.Procession2.Wolcum Yole!3.There is no Rose4.That Yonge Child / Balulalow5.As Dew in Aprille6.This Little Babe7.Interlude (harp)8.In Freezing Winter Night9.SpringCarol10.Deo Gracias11.Recession
O Magnum Mysterium.Tomás Luis de Victoria (1548-1611)
O magnum mysterium, O great mystery, et admirabile sacramentum, and wonderful sacrament,ut animalia viderent Dominum natum, that animals should see the new-born Lord, jacentem in praesepio! lying in a manger! Beata Virgo, cujus viscera Blessed is the Virgin whose womb meruerunt portare was worthy to bear Dominum Christum. Christ the Lord. Alleluia. Alleluia!
5th Response for Matins, Christmas Day
A Boy was BornBenjamin Britten (1913-1976)
A Boy was born in Bethlehem;Rejoice for that, Jerusalem!Alleluya, alleluya, alleluya.
He let himself a servant be,That all mankind he might set free:Alleluya, alleluya, alleluya.
Then praise the word of God who cameTo dwell within a human frame:Alleluya, alleluya, alleluya. 16th century German
Adieu des bergers à la sainte famille - from l’Enfance du Christ. Hector Berlioz (1803-1869)
Il s’en va loin de la terre He is going far from the landOù dans l’étable il vit le jour. Where in the stable he was born.De son père et de sa mère May his father and his motherQu’il reste le constant amour, Always love him steadfastly;Qu’il grandisse, qu’il prospère May he grow and prosperEt qu’il soit bon père à son tour. And be a good father in his turn
Oncques si, chez l’idolâtre, If ever among the idolatersIl vient à sentir le malheur, He should find misfortuneFuyant la terre marâtre, Let him flee the unkind landChez nous qu’il revienne au bonheur. And come back to live happily amongus.Que la pauvreté du pâtre May the shepherd’s lowly lifeReste toujours chère à son cœur. Be ever dear to his heart.
Cher enfant, Dieu te bénisse! Dear child, may God bless thee,Dieu vous bénisse, heureux époux! And God bless you happy pair!Que jamais de l’injustice May you never feelVous ne puissiez sentir les coups. The cruel hand of injustice.Qu’un bon ange vous avertisse May a good angel warn youDes dangers planant sur vous. Of all dangers that hang over you.
Hector Berlioz
A Spotless Rose Herbert Howells (1892-1983)
A spotless Rose is blowing,Sprung from a tender root,Of ancient seers’ foreshowing,Of Jesse promised fruit;Its fairest bud unfolds to lightAmid the cold, cold winter,And in the dark midnight.
The Rose which I am singing,Whereof Isaiah said,Is from its sweet root springingIn Mary, purest Maid;For, through our God’s great love and might,The blessed Babe she bare usIn a cold, cold winter’s night.
14th century English
(chorale)
How brightly shines the morning star!With grace and truth from heaven afarOur Jesse tree now bloweth.Of Jacob’s stem and David’s line,For thee, my Bridegroom, King divine,My soul with love o’erfloweth.Thy word, Jesu,Inly feeds us,Rightly leads us,Life bestowing.Praise, O praise, such love o’erflowing.
Peter Cornelius
A New Year CarolBenjamin Britten (1913-1976)
Here we bring new water from the well so clear,For to worship God with this happy New Year.Sing levy dew, sing levy dew the water and the wine;The seven bright gold wires and the bugles that do shine.
Sing reign of Fair Maid, with gold on her toe,Open you the West Door, and turn the Old Year go.Sing levy dew, sing levy dew the water and the wine;The seven bright gold wires and the bugles that do shine.
Sing reign of Fair Maid, with gold upon her chin,Open you the East Door and let the New Year in.Sing levy dew, sing levy dew the water and the wine;The seven bright gold wires and the bugles that do shine.
Anon.
Three Kings from Persian Lands Peter Cornelius (1824-1874) Arr. Ivor Atkin
(solo)
Three kings from Persian lands afarTo Jordan follow the pointing star:And this the quest of the travellers three,Where the new-born King of the Jews may be.Full royal gifts they bear for the King;Gold, incense, myrrh are their offering.The star shines out with a steadfast ray;The kings to Bethlehem make their way,And there in worship they bend the knee,As Mary’s child in her lap they see;Their royal gifts they show to the King;Gold, incense, myrrh are their offering.Thou child of man, lo, to BethlehemThe kings are travelling, travel with them!The star of mercy, the star of grace,Shall lead thy heart to its resting-place.Gold, incense, myrrh thou canst not bring;Offer thy heart to the infant King.
A Hymn to the Virgin Benjamin Britten (1913-1976)
Of one that is so fair and brightVelut maris stellaBrighter than the day is lightParens et puella;I cry to thee, thou see to me, Lady, pray thy son to me,Tam pia,That I may come to thee.Maria!
All this world was forlornEva peccatrice,Till our Lord was y-bornDe te genetrice.With ave it went awayDarkest night, and comes the daySalutis;The well springeth out of thee.Virtutis.
Lady flower of everthing,Rosa sine spina,Thou bare Jesu, Heaven’s King,Gratia divina:Of all thou barest the prize,Lady, queen of paradiseElecta:Maid mild, motheres Effecta.
14th century English
Bethlehem Down Peter Warlock (1894-1930)
“When He is King we will give him the Kings’ gifts,Myrrh for its sweetness, and gold for a crown,Beautiful robes,” said the young girl to Joseph,Fair with her first-born on Bethlehem Down.
Bethlehem Down is full of the starlightWinds for the spices, and stars for the gold,Mary for sleep, and for lullaby musicSongs of a shepherd by Bethlehem fold.
When He is King they will clothe him in grave-sheets,Myrrh for embalming, and wood for a crown,He that lies now in the white arms of Mary,Sleeping so lightly on Bethlehem Down.
Here He has peace and a short while for dreaming,Close huddled oxen to keep him from cold,Mary for love, and for lullaby musicSongs of a shepherd by Bethlehem fold.
Bruce Blunt
Quatre motets pour le temps de Noël Francis Poulenc (1899-1963)
O Magnum Mysterium(see above for text)5th Response for Matins, Christmas Day
Quem vidistis pastores?
Quem vidistis, pastores, dicite, Whom did you see, shepherds, tell us, annunciate nobis, in terris quis apparuit? proclaim to us: who has appeared on the earth?Natum vidimus et choros angelorum We saw the newborn child and choirs of angelscollaudantes Domino. praising the Lord.Dicite quidnam vidistis? Tell us what you saw Et annunuciate Christi Nativitatem. and announce the nativity of Christ.
3rd response for matins, Christmas Day
Videntes stellam
Videntes stellam Seeing the starMagi gavisi sunt gaudio magno: the Magi rejoiced with great joyet intrantes domum, entering the house Obtulerunt Domino they offered the Lord their gifts ofAurum, thus et myrham. Gold, frankincense and myrh
Magnificat antiphon for January 7th
Hodie Christus natus est
Hodie Christus natus est, Today Christ is born, Hodie Salvator apparuit. Today the Saviour has appeared,Hodie in terra canunt Angeli, Today the angels sing on earth,Laetantur Archangeli. And the archangels rejoice.Hodie exsultant justi dicentes: Today the just exult saying:Gloria in Excelsis Deo. Glory to God in the highest.Alleluia. Alleluia.
Magnificat antiphon for second Vespers of Christmas Day
The Christ-child stood on Mary's knee,His hair was like a crown,And all the flowers looked up at Him,And all the stars looked down.
G K Chesterton
And all the stars looked down Allan Bullard (b. 1947)
The Christ-child lay on Mary's lap,His hair was like a light.(O weary, weary were the world,But here is all aright.)
The Christ-child lay on Mary's breastHis hair was like a star.(O stern and cunning are the kings,But here the true hearts are.)
The Christ-child lay on Mary's heart,His hair was like a fire.(O weary, weary is the world,But here the world's desire.)
Child in the Manger, Lord of all Allan Bullard (b. 1947)
Child in the manger, Infant of MaryOutcast and stranger, Lord of allChild who inheritsAll our transgressionsAll our demerits on Him fall
Once the most holyChild of salvationGenlty and lowly, lived belowNow as our glorious Mighty RedeemerSee Him victoriosO'er each foe
Prophets foretold HimInfant of wonderAngels behold Him On His throneWorthy our SaviorOf all our praisesHappy foreverAre His own
Mary MacdonaldScots Nativity Allan Bullard (b. 1947)
This day to you is born a childOf Mary meek, the Virgin mild:That blessed bairn so loving and kindShall now rejoice both heart and mind:Balow, lammy, baloobalow.
And now shall Mary’s little boyForever be our hope and joy;Eternal be his reign here on earth,Rejoice then all people, For his holy birth;Balow, lammy, baloobalow.
Sleep gently, sweet Jesus, and know no fear,Thy subjects adoring watch over thee here;God’s angels and shepherds and kine in their stall,And wise men and Virgin, Thy guardians all;Balow, lammy, baloobalow.
Traditional Scottish
A Ceremony of Carols. Benjamin Britten (1913-1976)
I. ProcessionHodie Christus natus est, Today Christ is bornHodie Salvator apparuit, Today the Saviour appearsHodie in terra canunt angeli; Today the angels sing on earth;Lætantur archangeli, The archangels rejoice.Hodie exsultant justi dicentes: Today the righteous exult, saying:
Gloria in excelsis Deo. Glory to God in the highest.Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Halleluia! Halleluia! Halleluia
2 Wolcum Yole Wolcum be thou hevenè king,Wolcum Yole! Wolcum, born in one morning,Wolcum for whom wesall sing!Wolcum be ye, Stevene and Jon,Wolcum, Innocentes every one,Wolcum, Thomas marter one,
Wolcum be ye, good Newe Yere,Wolcum, Twelfthe Day both in fere,Wolcum, seintes lefe and dere,Wolcum Yole.Candelmesse, Quene of bliss,Wolcum bothe to more and lesse.Wolcum be ye that are here,Wolcum, wolcum, make good cheer,Wolcum alle another yere,Wolcum Yole!Wolcum!
Anon.
3. There is no Rose There is no rose of such vertuAs is the rose that bare Jesu.Alleluia, alleluia.
For in this rose conteinèd wasHeaven and earth in litel space,Res miranda, res miranda.
By that rose we may well seeThere be one God in persons three,Pares forma, pares forma,
The angels sungen the shepherds to:Gloria in excelsis Deo.Gaudeamus, gaudeamus.
Leave we all this werldly mirth,And follow we this joyful birth.Transeamus, transeamus, transeamus.
Alleluia, res miranda, pares forma, gaudeamus,Transeamus, transeamus, transeamus.
Anon.
4a That Yongë Child
O my deare hert, young Jesu sweit,Prepare thy creddil in my spreit,And I sall rock thee to my hert, And never mair from thee depart.
But I sall praise thee evermoir With sanges sweit unto thy gloir;The knees of my hert sall I bow, And sing that richt Balulalow.
James, John and Robert Wedderburn (Scottish c.1567)
I sing of a maidenThat is makèles:King of all kingsTo her son she ches
He came also stilleThere his moder was,As dew in AprilleThat falleth on the grass.
That yongë child when it gan weepWith song she lulled him asleep:That was so sweet a melodyIt passèd alle minstrelsy.
The nightingalë sang also:Her song is hoarse and nought thereto:Whoso attendeth to her songAnd leaveth the first then doth he wrong.
Anon.
4b. Balulalow
5 As dew in Aprille
6 This little Babe
He came also stilleTo his moder’s bour,As dew in AprilleThat falleth on the flour.
He came also stilleThere his moder lay,As dew in Aprille That falleth on the spray.
Moder and mayden wasNever none but she:Well may such a lady Goddes moder be.
Anon.
This little Babe so few days old,Is come to rifle Satan’s fold;All hell doth at his presence quake,Though he himself for cold do shake;For in this weak unarmed wisethe gates of hell he will surprise.
With tears he fights and wins the field, His naked breast stands for a shield;His battering shot are babish cries, His arrows looks of weeping eyes,His martial ensigns Cold and Need, And feeble Flesh his warrior’s steed.
His camp is pitched in a stall,His bulwark but a broken wall;The crib his trench, haystalks his stakes;Of shepherds he his muster makes;And thus, as sure his foe to wound, The angels’ trumps alarum sound.
My soul, with Christ join thou in fight;Stick to the tents that he hath pight.Within his crib is surest ward;This little Babe will be thy guard.If thou wilt foil thy foes with joy,Then flit not from this heavenly Boy.Robert Southwell
The persons in that poor attire His royal liveries wear;The Prince himself is come from heaven; This pomp is prized there.
With joy approach, 0 Christian wight,Do homage to thy King,And highly praise his humble pomp,Which he from Heaven doth bring.
Robert Southwell
8 In freezing winter night Behold, a silly tender babe,In freezing winter night,In homely manger trembling lies. Alas, a piteous sight!
The inns are full; no man will yield This little pilgrim bed.But forced he is with silly beastsIn crib to shroud his head.
This stable is a Prince’s court, This crib his chair of State;The beasts are parcel of his pomp, the wooden dish his plate.
9 Spring Carol
Pleasure it is To hear iwis, The Birdes sing,The deer in the dale,The sheep in the vale, the corn springing.
God’s purveyanceFor sustenance,It is for man.Then we alwaysTo give him praise,And thank him than.William Cornish
10 Deo GraciasDeo gracias!
Adam lay ibounden,Bounden in a bond;Four thousand winterThought he not to long.Deo gracias!
And all was for an appil,An appil that he tok,As clerkes findenWritten in their book.Deo gracias!
Ne had the appil take ben,The appil take ben,Ne hadde never our lady A ben hevene quene.Blessed be the timeThat appil take was.Therefore we moun singen:Deo gracias!Anon.11 Recession
(Hodie Christus as before)
7 Interlude (Harp)
