Contemporary Choral Classics including
TAVENER
RUTTER
LAURIDSEN
and Vivace’s new
commission from
WILL TODD
The Brandenburg Sinfonia
Conductor: Jeremy Backhouse
The Will Todd Jazz Trio
FVivace
Ch
@
_ZEWNGEL
16th May 2009
7.30 pm Guildford Cathedral
ANNA ARTHUR & ASSOCIATES
SOLICITORS
EVERY SUCCESS FOR THIS EVENING
FIERI FACIAS HOUSE, HIGH STREET
RIPLEY, SURREY GU23 6AF
TEL: 01483 222499 — FAX: 01483 222766
Vivace
it
Contemporary Choral Classics Cycle: Year 5
Morten Lauridsen:
O Magnum Mysterium
John Tavener:
The Lamb
Will Todd:
Te Deum (World premiere)
A Jazz Set
John Rutter:
A Gaelic Blessing
The Lord Bless You and Keep You
Eric Whitacre:
Lux Aurumque
Morten Lauridsen:
Lux Aeterna
Bethany Halliday, Soprano
The Will Todd Trio
Youth Choir with singers drawn from choirs at
Tormead School, Holy Trinity School and
Holy Trinity Church
Brandenburg Sinfonia
conductor
Jeremy Backhouse
Vivace Chorus
PRE-CONCERT TALK
' Creating something from nothing — writing to commission
' Local composer Will Todd will be talking about his new Te Deumn, written |
*
for the Vivace Chorus.
This will start at 6.30pm in the Chapter House of the Cathedral.
| Please note: Members of the audience who wish to attend the talk and}
. do not already have reserved seating can reserve their concert seats
| beforehand in the appropriate unreserved areas of the Cathedral. Thef
. talk should finish at 7.10pm, allowing time to order refreshments etc.
Morten Lauridsen (born 1943)
The music of Morten Lauridsen, professor of
composition
at the University of Southern
California Thornton School of Music for more
than 30 years, occupies a permanent place
in the standard vocal repertoire of the 20th
Century.
regularly
His
in
vocal works
concert
by
are featured
distinguished
ensembles throughout the world.
In 2007, Morten Lauridsen was the recipient
of
the National Medal of Arts from the
President of the United States in a White House ceremony, "for his
composition of radiant choral works combining musical beauty, power
and spiritual depth that have thrilled audiences worldwide." [The National
Medal of Arts is the highest award given to artists and arts patrons by the
United States government.]
Like the similarly popular John Rutter, Lauridsen inhabits an extremely
conservative style directed simply and single-mindedly at showing off the
beauty of choral singing while it illustrates inspiring texts. Unlike many of
his fellow neo-Romantic conservatives, Lauridsen displays a brand of
conservatism that is completely convincing and sincere.
Lauridsen’s
love
of poetry,
inextricably linked to
his
love
of vocal
composing, is profound. This passion for poetry dictates that Lauridsen
always chooses his own texts for composition.
4
Vivace Chorus
|
O Magnum Mysterium, one of a series of sacred a cappella motets,
takes its text from the Responsories at the Matins of Christmas. It was
first performed in Los Angeles in December 1994. The stark, evocative
beauty
of
the
text,
describing
the
birth
and
adoration
of
Jesus,
concentrates on the religious and symbolic aspect rather than on more
secular imagery.
O magnum mysterium et admirabile
O great mystery and wondrous sacrament,
sacramentum, ut animalia viderent
that animals should see the newborn Lord
Dominum natum jacentem in preesepio.
lying in their manger.
Beata virgo, cujus viscera meruerunt
Blessed is the Virgin whose womb was worthy
portare Dominum Christum,
to bear the Lord Jesus Christ.
Alleluia!
Alleluia!
John Tavener (born 1944)
Tavener first came to public attention in 1968 with the premiére of his
avant-garde
oratorio
The
Whale.
His
music
subsequently
became
increasingly spiritual in conception and contemplative in its idiom. His
conversion to the Orthodox Church in 1977 resulted from his growing
conviction that Eastern traditions retained a primordial essence that the
West had lost, and was also a major inspiration for his work over the
following two decades. Works such as The Lamb, written in 1982 for the
composer's 3-year-old nephew, date from this period.
The text is a poem by William Blake (1757-1827), from the 1789
collection Songs of Innocence and Experience. The Lamb is a hauntingly
beautiful
a cappella work,
composed from seven
notes during one
afternoon. It is for full choir, although the first four bars of each verse are
for women's voices only. It is almost entirely syllabic, which adds to the
simplicity and serenity of the piece.
Little Lamb, who made thee?
Little Lamb, I'll tell thee,
Dost thou know who made thee?
Gave thee life and bid thee feed
Little Lamb, I'll tell thee;
He is called by thy name,
By the stream and o'er the mead;
For he calls himself a Lamb.
Gave thee clothing of delight,
He is meek and he is mild,
Softest clothing, woolly bright;
Gave thee such a tender voice,
He became a little child.
| a child, and thou a lamb,
Making all the vales rejoice?
We are called by His name.
Little Lamb, who made thee?
Little Lamb, God bless thee!
Dost thou know who made thee?
Little Lamb, God bless thee!
Vivace Chorus
5
Will Todd (born 1970)
Will Todd has been playing the piano since he
was three and composing since he was seven
years old. His output includes opera, musicals,
oratorio, orchestral and religious works, and
his music has been performed throughout the
UK, in Europe and in the USA.
Notable
works
include
the
opera
The
Blackened Man, which won second prize in
the
2002
International
Verdi
Opera
Competition, and was subsequently staged at
the 2004 Buxton Festival; the oratorio Saint
Cuthbert which has been performed many
Photo © Fritz Curzon
times and recorded by the Hallé Orchestra:
music theatre work The Screams of Kitty
Genovese, produced most recently at the New York Music
Theater
Festival; and the cantata The Burning Road — written to celebrate
the
60th anniversary of the Jarrow March. His jazz mass, Mass
in Blue, has
been performed more than 30 times around the world since
its 2003
premiere, as well as featuring on two commercial recordin
gs — most
recently by the Vasari Singers for Signum Records.
Recent performances include Among Angels — commissioned
by the
Foundation and premiered by The Sixteen in Salzburg
;
Sweetness and Badness — an opera for Welsh National Opera's
Max
project which toured the UK in 2006 and revives for another
tour in 2009;
and Pusila — a stage-work developed with OperaGenesis
at the Royal
Opera House. In addition to tonight's Te Deum, other premiere
s in 2009
include his Requiem for the Fairhaven Singers of Cambridge,
performed
in both Cambridge and London during March, and a
new clarinet
Genesis
concerto for Emma Johnson.
Te Deum (World premiére performance)
Will Todd says about his new piece... “Like many of my works,
the
underlying theme of the Te Deum is a message of hope —
hope for the
future, hope that we can, as a culture and community,
do better to
ensure the future; hope that we can leave old conflicts behind
and build
new relationships; hope for our young people.
| have created five movements and included a setting of Psalm
23 (The
Lord is my shepherd) which features a choir of young people
— a
reminder of all our hopes for the future and our responsibility
towards it.
6
Vivace Chorus
There is a dramatic thread to the work also, in which the solo soprano
sings a specially commissioned text by Ben Dunwell, which speaks of
loss and desolation, a cry in the wilderness. The soprano sings of the
children lost to ‘war and hate’ and prays that the Lord may bring peace to
the grieving and the lost — Ben was thinking, as he wrote, of the conflict
in Gaza, although by the time we perform his words the world has moved
on, but there is always another conflict, and indeed the problems in Gaza
remain. The soprano aria ends with a resounding hope that we may find
love again, and that new birth will ‘light our way to God'. The inclusion of
a modern text is important in giving us a contemporary interpretation to a
much older text, and once again my writing partner Ben Dunwell has
come up with a beautiful and dramatic image which extends our
understanding of this time-honoured text. We end up with a combination
of ‘old wisdom’, in the Latin words and ‘new wisdom’ in the contemporary
text. The psalm setting bridges the gap, being a modern translation
(Common Worship) of an ancient and profound text — it also extends the
dramatic thread, as we hear our own young people sing of hope.
The musical style of the Te Deum is not as overtly blues/jazz as Mass in
Blue, but the scoring is very similar, and | have once again made use of
my jazz trio at the heart of the score. The energy of the work is very
much from the same place as Mass in Blue, making use of strong
groove-like rhythmic material and lyrical ballads, without, | hope, being
merely a pale reflection of that piece; | always strive towards something
new in my works.
There are strong personal connections for me in this work, and tonight’s
performance in particular, and I'm thrilled that all the elements have
finally come together. So, many thanks to (amongst many others) Kieron
Walsh, who first suggested | set the Te Deum text, Vivace Chorus for
commissioning the work, the Youth Choir and Martin Holford for his
brilliant and enthusiastic support in co-ordinating them and, of course,
Jeremy Backhouse for his massive support of my music over the years."
1.
Te Deum (SATB and Ensemble)
2.
Rex gloriae (SATB and Ensemble)
3.
Lord Bring Peace (Soprano solo with SATB and Ensemble)
4.
The House of the Lord [from Psalm 23] (Young people's choir with
5.
SATB and Ensemble)
Te ergo quaesumus (Soprano solo, SATB and Ensemble)
The first movement makes use of a 3/4 rhythm that is heard in a variety
of ways, gradually building in energy and dynamic. In the middle a lyrical
Vivace Chorus
A
melody is heard in a slower 3/4 and this melody will be heard again and
extended in the final movement.
The
Rex Gloriae, in contrast to the previous movement, is more
mysterious. A bell-like mobile is set up [on piano and glockenspiel] while
the soprano saxophone weaves an angel-like melody. The chorus chant
the text. The music explodes at ‘we believe that thou shalt come to be
our judge’ before returning to the quiet, eerie texture of the opening.
The specially commissioned words of Ben Dunwell in the third movement
recall the horror of war and loss — the writer was focussed on the Gaza
conflict at the time, but the sentiment is, of course, eternal. The soprano
sings a strong and soulful ballad which builds towards and then melts
into ‘Lord bring peace...’. The movement, with soft supporting choir
textures, moves from despair to prayerful ecstasy.
The young people’s choir sing the fourth movement — a response to the
previous prayer, in which the soprano sings ‘of every child that lights our
way to God'. The music is in simple ballad form, reflecting the simplicity
of the text. In the central section the music builds into three parts before
returning to the original theme.
The final movement opens with a fanfare. Then the melody from the first
movement is gradually woven and built up by the chorus with the music
growing in confidence and power. Finally the fast 3/4 music of the first
movement returns, with all the performers singing and playing in a final
blast of light and hope.
1. Te Deum
Te Deum laudamus:
Te Dominum confitemur.
Te aeternum Patrem omnis
terra veneratur.
Tibi omnes Angeli; Tibi caeli
et universae Potestates;
Tibi Cherubim et Seraphim
incessabili voce proclamant:
Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus, Dominus Deus
We praise thee, O God:
we acknowledge Thee to be the Lord.
All the earth doth worship Thee,
the Father everlasting.
To Thee all Angels cry aloud: the Heavens,
and all the Powers therein.
To Thee Cherubim and Seraphim
continually do cry,
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Sabaoth.
Sabaoth. Pleni sunt caeli et terra
maiestatis gloriae tuae.
Heaven and earth are full of
the Majesty of Thy glory.
Te gloriosus Apostolorum chorus,
Te Prophetarum laudabilis numerus,
The glorious company of the Apostles
8
praise Thee. The goodly fellowship of the
Prophets praise Thee.
Vivace Chorus
|
Te Martyrum candidatus laudat exercitus.
The noble army of Martyrs praise Thee.
Te per orbem terrarum
The Holy Church throughout all the world
sancta confitetur Ecclesia,
doth acknowledge Thee,
Patrem immensae maiestatis:
The Father of an infinite Majesty:
Venerandum tuum verum et unicum Filium;
Thine honourable, true and only Son;
Sanctum quoque Paraclitum Spiritum.
Also the Holy Ghost, the Comforter.
2. Rex gloriae
Tu Rex gloriae, Christe.
Thou art the King of Glory, O Christ.
Tu Patris sempiternus es Filius.
Thou art the everlasting Son of the Father.
Tu ad liberandum suscepturus hominem,
When Thou tookest upon Thee to deliver
non horruisti Virginis uterum.
man, Thou didst not abhor the Virgin's womb.
When Thou hadst overcome the sharpness
Tu, devicto mortis aculeo, aperuisti
of death, Thou didst open the Kingdom of
credentibus regna caelorum.
Heaven to all believers.
Tu ad dexteram Dei sedes,
Thou sittest at the right hand of God
in gloria Patris. Judex crederis
in the glory of the Father. We believe that
esse venturus.
Thou shalt come to be our Judge.
3. O Lord Bring Peace
Dead my daughter
We who have most to tell
dead my son.
have no voice to speak.
Dead my lover
We who have most to weep
wrapped in cloth
have no tears to let.
and laid in earth.
We who have most to bear
have been rendered weak.
Lord bring peace to the hearts of war
and hate.
We who are most forgotten
never can forget.
Lord give rest to the taken ones whose
peace will come too late.
Lord bring peace that we may know
our pain.
Night lies silent,
land lies dark.
Lord bring peace, bring peace, that we may
love again,
Daylight wanders
that we may love again,
fallen homes
that we may live again
and dying flames.
the lover's touch,
the love of earth,
Lord bring peace to the hearts of war
and hate.
and bless the birth
of every child that lights our way to God.
Lord give rest to the taken ones whose
peace will come too late.
Vivace Chorus
Words by Ben Dunwell
4. The House of the Lord
The Lord is my shepherd:
Therefore can | lack nothing.
I will fear no evil, for you are with me,
He makes me lie down in green pastures
And leads me beside still waters,
And | will dwell in the house of the Lord.
Though | walk through the valley of the
shadow of death
Your rod and Your staff comfort me.
You are my shepherd:
Surely Your goodness and loving mercy
Shall follow me all the days of my life.
5. Te Ergo Quaesumus
Te ergo quaesumus, tuis famulis subveni:
quos pretioso sanguine redemisti,
We therefore pray Thee, help Thy servants
whom Thou hast redeemed with Thy
precious blood.
Make them to be numbered with
Aeterna fac cum sanctis tuis
in gloria numerari.
Salvum fac populum tuum, Domine,
Thy Saints in glory everlasting.
Lord, save Thy people and bless
et benedic hereditati tuae.
Et rege eos, et extolle illos usque
Thine heritage.
Per singulos dies benedicimus te;
Et laudamus Nomen tuum in saeculum,
Day by day we magnify Thee;
And we worship Thy Name, ever world
in aeternum.
et in saeculum saecull.
Dignare, Domine, die isto sine peccato
nos custodire.
Miserere nostri Domine, miserere nostri.
Fiat misericordia tua,
Domine, super nos, quemadmodum
speravimus in te.
In te, Domine, speravi.
Govern them and lift them up for ever.
without end.
Vouchsafe, O Lord to keep us this day
without sin.
Lord, have mercy upon us, have mercy
upon us.
Lord, let Thy mercy lighten upon us,
as our frust is in Thee.
Lord, in Thee have | trusted.
Vivace Chorus gratefully acknowledge the beques
t of
the late Keith Hester, to whom this work is dedicat
ed.
~ Interval~
10
Vivace Chorus
A Jazz Set
- The Will Todd Trio with Paul Fawcus, saxophone
Morning Has Broken (arr. Will Todd Trio): Scottish Folk Melody
Nunc Dimittis (Will Todd)
Give me Oil in my Lamp (traditional arr. Will Todd Trio)
WT writes of tonight's trio numbers: "Lots of connections to theme of
Light here — Morning Has Broken is a wonderfully uplifting melody and
puts us in mind of the first light of the day; the setting of the Nunc Dimittis
(recently commissioned by Bury St Edmunds Cathedral and performed
here as a melody-only version) contains the phrase ‘for mine eyes have
seen the light of your salvation’; Give me Oil in my Lamp — performed
again by popular demand after our Mass in Blue concert 2 years ago — is
full of energy and light, and is featured on our recent Will Todd Trio CD
Sounds of Light, available at www.willtodd.com. Enjoy!”
John Rutter (born 1945)
Rutter was born in London and received his first musical education as a
chorister at Highgate School. He went on to study music at Clare
College, Cambridge. His compositions include both large- and smallscale choral works, orchestral and instrumental music. He has co-edited
various choral anthologies, including four Carols for Choirs volumes with
Sir David Willcocks and the Oxford Choral Classics series.
From 1975 to 1979 he was Director of Music at Clare College, and after
giving up this position to allow more time for composition, he formed his
own choir, the Cambridge Singers, as a professional chamber choir
primarily dedicated to recording.
Rutter now divides his time between composition and conducting. He is
an honorary Fellow of Westminster Choir College, Princeton, a Fellow of
the Guild of Church Musicians, and in 1996 the Archbishop of
Canterbury conferred a Lambeth Doctorate of Music upon him in
recognition of his contribution to church music. He was honoured in the
2007 Queen’'s New Year Honours List, being awarded a CBE for
services to music.
Rutter's setting of the ancient Gaelic Blessing Deep Peace was a
commission from the choir of First United Methodist Church, Omaha, as
a parting gift for their much-loved choir Director, Mel Olson, in 1978.
Vivace Chorus
11
Deep peace of the running wave to you ~ Moon and stars pour their healing light on you
Deep peace of Christ, of Christ
Deep peace of the flowing air to you
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you
The light of the world to you
Deep peace of the shining stars to you ~ Deep peace of Christ to you.
Deep peace of the gentle night to you
The Lord Bless You and Keep You is a short but poignant choral work,
its text from Numbers 6, v24—26 and composed in 1981 as an endearing
farewell for the memorial service of Edward Chapman, Rutter's dear
friend and with whom he had studied whilst at Highgate School.
The Lord bless you and keep you:
The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you.
The Lord lift up the light of his countenance upon you and give you peace. Amen.
Eric Whitacre (born 1970)
In his homeland, the accomplished American composer, conductor and
lecturer Eric Whitacre has quickly become one of the most popular and
performed composers of his generation. Although he received no formal
training before the age of 18, Whitacre went on to the Juilliard School,
earning his Master of Music degree and studying with Pulitzer Prize- and
Oscar-winning composer John Corigliano. Many of Whitacre's works
have entered the standard choral and symphonic repertories.
Lux Aurumque, commissioned by the Master Chorale of Tampa Bay,
has become justly famous for its luminous a cappella writing. Unusually,
the text of this miniature is an English poem by Whitacre's contemporary
Edward Esch, which was translated into Latin for Whitacre by his friend
Charles Anthony Silvestri in a setting of elegant simplicity with tight,
shimmering harmonies.
Lux,
Light,
Calida gravisque pura velut aurum
et canunt angeli molliter
Warm and heavy as pure gold,
and the angels sing softly
modo natum.
to the newborn baby.
Morten Lauridsen: Lux Aeterna
Lux Aeterna, for chorus and chamber orchestra, was composed for and
is dedicated to the Los Angeles Master Chorale and its conductor,
Paul Salamunovich, who gave the world premiere on 13 April 1997.
12
Vivace Chorus
The composer writes: “The work is in five movements, played without
pause. Its texts are drawn from sacred Latin sources, each containing
references to Light. The piece opens and closes with the beginning and
ending of the Requiem Mass, with the central three movements drawn
respectively from the Te Deum (including a line from the Beatus Vir),
O Nata Lux, and Veni, Sancte Spiritus.
The instrumental introduction to the Introitus softly recalls fragments from
two pieces especially close to my heart (my settings of Rilke’'s Contre
Qui, Rose from Les Chansons des Roses, and O Magnum Mysterium),
which recur throughout the work in various forms. Several new themes in
the Introitus are then introduced by the chorus, including an extended
canon on et lux perpetua. In Te, Domine, Speravi contains, among other
musical elements, the cantus firmus Herzliebster Jesu (from the
Nuremberg Songbook, 1677) and a lengthy inverted canon on fiat
misericordia. O Nata Lux and Veni, Sancte Spiritus are paired songs, the
former a central a cappella motet and the latter a spirited, jubilant
canticle. A quiet setting of the Agnus Dei precedes the final Lux Aeterna,
which reprises the opening section of the Introitus and concludes with a
joyful Alleluia.”
I. Introitus
Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine:
et lux perpetua luceat eis.
Te decet hymus Deus in Zion,
et tibi redetur votum in Jerusalem:
exaudi orationem meam,
Give them eternal rest, Lord:
and let light perpetual shine on them.
A hymn befits you, God, in Zion, and to you
shall be fulfilled a promise in Jerusalem:
hear my prayer,
ad te omnis caro veniet.
to you all flesh shall come.
Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine:
et lux perpetua luceat eis.
and let perpetual light shine on them.
Give them eternal rest, Lord:
Il. In Te, Domine, Speravi
Tu ad liberandum suscepturus hominem
To deliver us, you became man,
non horruisti Virginis uterum.
not disdaining the Virgin's womb.
Tu devicto mortis aculeo,
With the sting of death vanquished,
aperuisti credentibus
Exortum est in tenebris
you opened the kingdom
of heaven to believers.
There is risen in the shadows
lumen rectis.
a light for the righteous.
Miserere nostri, Domine, Miserere nostri.
Fiat misericordia tua, Domine, super nos
quemadmodum speravimus in te.
Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy on us.
Let your mercy, Lord, be upon us
inasmuch as we have trusted in you.
regna coelorum.
Vivace Chorus
13
In te Domine, speravi:
In you, Lord, | have trusted:
non confundar in aeternum.
let me never be confounded.
Ill. O Nata Lux
O nata lux de lumine,
Jesu redemptor saeculi,
Jesus, redeemer of the age,
dignare clemens supplicum
laudes preces que sumere.
praises and prayers.
Qui carne quondam contegi
dignatus es pro perditis.
Nos membra confer effici,
tui beati corporis.
Born light from light,
mercifully deign to accept suppliants'
You once deigned to take on flesh
for the sake of the lost damned.
Grant that we be made members
of your blessed body.
IV. Veni, Sancte Spiritus
Veni, Sancte Spiritus,
Come, Holy Spirit,
Et emitte coelitus lucis tuae radium.
and send from heaven the ray of your light.
Veni, pater pauperum,
Veni, dator munerum, veni, lumen cordium.
Consolator optime, dulcis hospes animae,
Come, Father of paupers,
come, donor of gifts, come, light of hearts.
Best of consolers, sweet host of the soul,
Dulce refrigerium.
sweet respite.
In labore requies, in aestu temperies,
Amid labour, rest, amid heat, moderation,
In fletu solatium.
O lux beatissima, reple cordis intima
amid tears, solace.
tuorum fidelium.
Light most blessed, fill the inmost parts
of the heart of your faithful.
Sine tuo numine, nihil est in homine,
Without your spirit, there is nothing in man,
Nihil est innoxium.
Lava quod est sordidum,
nothing harmless.
Clean what is dirty,
Riga quod est aridum,
moisten what is dry,
Sana quod est saucium.
heal what is wounded.
Flecte quod est rigidum,
Bend what is rigid,
Fove quod est frigidum,
warm what is cold,
Rege quod est devium.
guide what is straying.
Da tuis fidelibus,
Give to your faithful,
In te confidentibus,
those trusting in you,
Sacrum septenarium.
sacred seven-fold gifts.
Da virtutis meritum,
Give the reward of virtue,
Da salutis exitum,
give the deliverance of salvation,
Da perenne gaudium.
give eternal joy.
V. Agnus Dei - Lux Aeterna
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi,
dona eis requiem.
14
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of
the world, give them rest.
Vivace Chorus
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi,
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of
dona eis requiem sempiternam.
the world, give them everlasting rest.
Lux aeterna luceat eis, Domine:
Let eternal light shine on them, Lord:
Cum sanctis tuis in aeternum:
in the company of your saints for ever:
qQuia pius es.
for you are merciful.
Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine,
Give them eternal rest, Lord:
et lux perpetua luceat eis.
and let perpetual light shine on them.
Alleluia. Amen.
Alleluia. Amen.
Some of the printed music for this evening's concert has been hired from
Surrey County Council Performing Arts Library, Faber Music Hire Library,
Oxford University Press Hire Library and the Royal School of Church Music.
Venetian Baroque Music,
07 Mar 2009:
from
Gillian Ramsden's review
for 'The Surrey
Advertiser'
.. buildford Cathedral rang to the sounds of some of the greatest music of the
Baroque period. The Vivace Chorus with the Brandenburg Sinfonia under the
direction of Jeremy Backhouse performed not only the Vivaldi
'Gloria'
and
'Magnificat’ but choral works by Monteverdi, Gabrieli, Lotti and Schiitz. These
were interspersed with instrumental ensemble pieces from the same period,
beautifully played; a veritable feast.
. each piece we heard showed a different mood. The choral singing was
sometimes sensitive, sometimes glorious, and sometimes quite voluptuous, as in
the Gabrieli 'Jubilate Deo’, where too, the freshness of the soprano voices left
ethereal echoes hanging in the vaulting arches of the cathedral. The Lotti
'Crucifixus' was a delight, with the entries gently piling one on top the other
and excellent control in the sustained chords and phrases.
There
were wonderful
contrasts
of
texture
and
dynamic
in
the
Schiitz
'Psalm 150" with glorious brass and full choir followed by soft divided chorus...
.. once again here were some beautifully shaped and coloured soprano phrases.
Jeremy Backhouse has the gift of keeping real control, whether in the tautness
of the dancing, dotted rhythms or the breadth of phrasing in other movements,
whilst allowing the music to speak for itself, and all with obvious enjoyment.
Especial praise too for the choir's diction; so clear throughout.
Vivace Chorus
15
Bethany would
her
like to dedicate
performance tonight to the
children of Gaza.
Bethany Halliday is best known
for her recording of Will Todd’s
Mass in Blue, which was released
on the Signum Classics label in
2006. Described as "An addictive
listen" by the Daily Express,
Bethany premiered Mass in Blue
at
The
Cambridge
Corn
Exchange
in
2003
and
has
continued
to
perform
the
work
frequently since that time. Venues
have
included
St Martin-in-the-
Fields
and
Barbican
London,
Durham
photo © Robert Workman
Maltings
The
The
Sage
in
Gateshead,
Cathedral,
and
Snape
Wakefield
Cathedral; she has also appeared
on Radio 3 performing live excerpts in discussion with Sean Rafferty on
In Tune.
Bethany enjoys a wide range of performing styles, including opera,
oratorio and jazz, throughout the UK. She was awarded the English
National Opera Lillian Baylis Bursary for young singers and also won the
William
Cox memorial scholarship.
Bethany has recently been
performing with the Royal Opera House's OperaGenesis, with a new
opera workshop.
Recent events
and
future
plans
include the
premiére
of
a
newly
commissioned Requiem at St John's, Smith Square in March 2009 as
well as performances of Mass in Blue in Chichester Cathedral, Windsor
and Bath, and a live liturgical broadcast of the work for Radio 4’s
Ascension Day service from St Martin-in-the-Fields. Bethany Halliday is
also the featured vocalist on the Will Todd Trio’s innovative new jazz
album Sounds of Light.
16
Vivace Chorus
THE WILL TODD TRIO
Piano:
Will Todd
Bass:
Gareth Huw Davies
Percussion:
Jim Fleeman
© Robert Carpenter-Turner
The
Will Todd Trio, in existence since 1999, is the result of
collaboration between Will Todd and two other wonderful musicians:
a
Gareth Huw Davies is a multi-talented performer on both upright and
electric bass as well as being an accomplished cellist. He is also much in
demand as a studio engineer and keyboard programmer and has played
in most of the current West End shows. He engineered the 2006 Signum
Records release of Mass in Blue and continues to work with Will Todd in
the development of new work for the theatre. Jim Fleeman is a widely
respected percussion performer in jazz, theatre and television. He has
toured all over the world and has recorded extensively.
The Trio have performed at festivals and venues around the UK and
abroad, and since 2006, have performed Mass in Blue many times in
venues ranging from small churches to large cathedrals and concert
halls. In 2007 they appeared at the Putney Jazz on the River Festival,
and appearances in 2008 included performances at Snape Maltings and
Exeter's Barnfield Theatre; the 2009 schedule is already looking very
busy too. Their first CD, Sounds of Light, was released in July 2008; see
Vivace Chorus
17
Jeremy Backhouse
Photography by Sim Canetty-Clarke
Jeremy Backhouse began his musical career in Canterbury Cathedral,
where he was Head Chorister, and later studied music at Liverpool
University.
He spent 5years as Music Editor at the Royal National
Institute for the Blind, where he was responsible for the transcription of
print music into Braille. In 1986 he joined EMI Records as a Literary
Editor and from April 1990 he combined work as a Consultant Editor for
EMI Classics with a career as a freelance conductor. In November 2004,
Jeremy joined Boosey & Hawkes Music Publishers and now works for
them in a freelance capacity.
In
January
1995,
Jeremy
was
appointed
Chorus
Master
and
subsequently Music Director of the Guildford Philharmonic Choir (now
Vivace Chorus). Major works performed in Guildford Cathedral include
Mahler's Symphony No. 2 and Symphony No. 8, Prokofiev's Alexander
Nevsky, Elgar's The Dream of Gerontius, Karl Jenkins’ The Armed Man
Mendelssohn’s
Symphony No. 2 (Lobgesang) and most recently, in
November 2008, Verdi's Requiem.
Since 1980, Jeremy has been the conductor of the Vasari Singers,
acknowledged as one of the finest chamber choirs in the country,
performing music from the Renaissance to contemporary commissions.
Jeremy has also worked with a number of the country's leading choirs,
including the Philharmonia Chorus, the London Choral Society and the
Brighton Festival Chorus. For 6 years, to the end of 2004, Jeremy was
the Music Director of the Wooburn Singers, following Sir Richard Hickox
(who founded the choir in 1967) and most recently, Stephen Jackson. In
January 2009, Jeremy was appointed Music Director of the Salisbury
Community Choir. His first concert with them will be next weekend.
18
Vivace Chorus
ch d
b
Artistic Director — Robert Porter
W urg
The
Associate Music Director — Sarah Tenant-Flowers
Brandenburg Sinfonia is one of the most dynamically versatile
musical organisations in the country. It is renowned for its special quality
of sound and poised vivacity in performance. The orchestra performs
regularly in the majority of the major venues across the country, and in
London
at
Fairfield
Halls
the
Barbican,
Royal
and StJohn's,
Albert
Smith
Hall,
Square.
Queen
In
Elizabeth
Hall,
1999 the orchestra
established
major concert series at both St Martin-in-the-Fields and
Crystal Palace Bowil.
The orchestra's repertoire ranges from Bach to Lloyd Webber and its
members give around 100 performances of orchestral, chamber, choral
and operatic music during the year. The orchestras for a number of
touring
companies
are
formed
from
members
of
the
Brandenburg
Sinfonia including First Act Opera, London City Opera, Opera Holland
Park, London Opera Players and Central Festival Opera.
Violin 1
Viola
Flute
Abigail Young
Julian Saxl|
Claire Findlater
Horn
Richard Bayliss
Lizzie Ball
Nichola Blakey
Oboe
Nick Wolmark
Tatiana Bysheva
Cello
Ruth Contractor
Trumpet
Sara Wolstenholme Paul Brunner
Violin 2
Dominic O'Dell
Clarinet
Peter Sparks
Chris Deacon
Heidi Sutcliffe
Pedro Meireles
Bass
Bassoon
Trombone
Rachel Rowntree
Anthony Williams
Robert Porter
Susan White
Caroline Frenkel
Organ
Soprano Saxophone
Percussion
Peter Jaekel
Paul Fawcus
Tristan Fry
Alto Saxophone
Tommy Foster
Josie Simmonds
Vivace Chorus also wish to thank the following Music Directors for their
dedication to the training of the following groups in the Youth Choir:
Martin Holford — Tormead School Lower School Choir, Holy Trinity
Church Choir boy trebles, Holy Trinity School Boys’
Choir and Youth Choir coordinator
Timothy Ball — Tormead School Chamber Choir
Judy Dickinson — Holy Trinity School Choir
Margaret Hennessy-Brown — Holy Trinity and St. Mary’s Youth Choir
Vivace Chorus
19
Vivace Chorus
The choir was founded in 1947 as the Guildford Philharmonic Choir, but
to reflect its independent status, 'rebranded' itself as Vivace Chorus in
May 2005. We enjoy a challenging and varied concert repertoire,
performing works from the 16th century onwards — some well-known, but
also many rarities deserving to be heard by a wider audience. In the
2004/5 season, we introduced our Contemporary Choral Classics Cycle
(CCCC), an innovative series of works from the late 20th and 21st
centuries. To show the variety of our recent programmes:
Our 2006/7 season included choral works by Hugo Wolf — repertoire
virtually unknown in the UK, as well as quintessentially English and wellloved works by Elgar, Parry and Vaughan Williams. But the highlight of
the year was undoubtedly our third CCCC concert and first-ever foray
into the world of jazz, and especially Will Todd's Mass in Blue,
accompanied by the composer with his jazz trio, jazz band and soprano
soloist Bethany Halliday. The audience loved it too — we had a standing
ovation! Tonight's world premiére (and first commission by the choir) of
Will Todd's Te Deum arose from this successful collaboration.
The 2007/8 season tested both our tuning and our nerves, with a
programme by French composers, sung only with organ or
unaccompanied, followed by our Viennese Masters concert which
included more a cappella singing (three Bruckner motets and a 16-part
arrangement of Mahler's Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen). The
CCCC concert featured Karl Jenkins' Requiem, with other works by
Britten, Fauré, Elgar, Barber and Mahler. We started the 2008/9 season
with a spectacular performance of Verdi's Requiem, in combination with
our twin choir, the Freiburger Bachchor, and Romsey Choral Society. In
the summer break, Jeremy is taking half the choir on a
what is normally
Tour de France, where we will give concerts in the cathedrals of Paris
(Notre-Dame), Rouen and Beauvais.
We also regularly sing in a 'Last Night of the Proms' charity concert to a
packed Fairfield Halls, Croydon, and with our good friends the
Brandenburg Sinfonia, we sing at least once a year in the inspiring venue
of St Martin-in-the-Fields, performing works such as Mozart's Requiem.
If you are interested in singing with us, please contact Jane Brooks,
membership@vivacechorus.org. Rehearsals are held on Monday
evenings throughout term time in central Guildford and prospective
members are most welcome to attend rehearsals on an informal basis
before committing to an audition. For more information, see our website
at www.vivacechorus.org.
20
Vivace Chorus
Vivace Chorus
FIRST SOPRANOS
FIRST ALTOS
Joanna Andrews
Penny Baxter
Bob Cowell
Helen Beevers
Monika Boothby
Tim Hardyment
Mary Broughton
Jane Brooks
Nick Manning
Miranda Champion
Christine Curtis
Martin Price
FIRST TENORS
Elaine Chapman
Liz Durning
Chris Robinson
Rachel Edmondson
Celia Embleton
Sheila Hodson
John Trigg
Mo Kfouri
Hilary Minor
Pamela Leggatt
Susan Norton
SECOND TENORS
Lois McCabe
John Bawden
Robin Onslow
Kay McManus
Christine Medlow
Tony Chantler
Margaret Parry
Kate Rayner
Gillian Rix
Judy Smith
Mary Moon
Rosemary Spalding
Gill Perkins
Rosalind Milton
Penny Muray
Bob Bromham
Geoff Johns
Stephen Linton
Jon Scott
Carol Terry
Lesley Scordellis
FIRST BASSES
Nikki Vale
Catherine Shacklady
Tom Bayliss
Ann Smith
John Britten
SECOND SOPRANOS
Hilary Trigg
Jacqueline Alderton
Anna Arthur
SECOND ALTOS
Barbara Barklem
Valerie Adam
Anna Durning
Geraldine Allen
Frankie Freeman
Marion Arbuckle
Mandy Freeman
Krystyna Marsden
Evelyn Beastall
Sylvia Chantler
Mary Clayton
Carolyn Edis
Jane Kenney
Judith Lewy
Michael Golden
Jeremy Johnson
Eric Kennedy
Chris Newbery
Chris Peters
Robin Privett
David Ross
Philip Stanford
Kieron Walsh
Enid Millinger
Valerie Edwards
Debbie Morton
SECOND BASSES
Elizabeth Evans
Alison Newbery
Peter Andrews
Valerie Garrow
Alison Palmer
Roger Barrett
Claire Hann
Barbara Hilder
Alan Batterbury
Carol Hobbs
Yvonne Hungerford
Brenda Moore
Jacqueline Norman
Beryl Northam
Prue Smith
Rosey Storey
Kate Peters
Rosalind Plowright
Norman Carpenter
Kathy Stickland
Paula Sutton
June Windle
Dave Cox
Geoffrey Forster
James Garrow
Stuart Gooch
Michael Jeffery
Neil Martin
Maxwell New
Chris Short
Christine Wilks
Maggie Woolcock
Michael Taylor
Frances Worpe
Elisabeth Yates
Susannah Priede
Claire Protherough
Vivien Rieden
Isobel Rooth
Ann Sheppard
Vivace Chorus
21
Choir Functionaries
Music Director
Jeremy Backhouse
Accompanist
Francis Pott
The Committee
James Garrow
Chairman
email: chairman@vivacechorus.org
Bob Cowell
Hon. Treasurer
email: treasurer@vivacechorus.org
Isobel Rooth
Jane Brooks
Hon. Secretary and Methodist Church liaison
email: secretary@vivacechorus.org
Membership Secretary
email: membership@vivacechorus.org
Jackie Alderton
Ladies’ uniforms
Mailings Coordinator
Tel. 01932 343625
email: mailing@vivacechorus.org
Hilary Trigg
Publicity
email: publicity@vivacechorus.org
Michael Taylor
Chris Short
Ticket sales
Tel. 07958 519741
email: tickets@vivacechorus.org
Patrons Secretary
Tel 07703 807250
email: patrons@vivacechorus.org
Miranda Champion
Neil Martin
Rosey Storey
Other (non-Committee) responsibilities
Christine Medlow
Music Librarian
Chris Peters
Website Manager
Chris Alderton
Front of House
Brenda Moore
Programme notes, soloists’ liaison & advertising
22
Vivace Chorus
Patrons of Vivace Chorus
Vivace Chorus is extremely grateful to all Patrons
for their financial support.
Platinum Patrons:
Mrs JG Blacker
Mrs Rita Horton
John and Barbara Britten
Ron and Christine Medlow
Mr and Mrs R Broughton
Mr and Mrs Maxwell S New
Mr Michael Dawe
Miss Enid Weston
Dr Michael Golden
Bill and June Windle
Gold Patrons:
Mr and Mrs Philip Davies
Mr and Mrs John Parry
Mr and Mrs G Dombrowe
Mrs Jean Radley
Mr Laurie James
Brenda and Brian Reed
Dr Roger Muray
Prue and Derek Smith
Silver Patrons:
Dr JBR Arbuckle
Mr HJC Browne
Dr Roger Barrett
Mrs Maryel Cowell
Mr Bill Bellerboy MBE
Mrs Carol Hobbs
Mrs Doreen Bellerby MBE
Mrs M van Koetsveld
Mr and Mrs Peter Bennett
Dr and Mrs MGM Smith
Mr Robin Broadley
New Patrons are always welcome. If you are interested in participating,
please contact our Patrons Secretary, Chris Short, on 07703 807250 or
email patrons@vivacechorus.org
Our Patrons scheme has been undergoing a re-launch, the purpose of
which is two-fold: to give Patrons additional benefits for their financial
backing and to encourage new Patrons to support the choir, which will
help us to continue to perform innovative,
high-quality programmes.
Details of the new arrangements can be found on the inside back cover
of this programme.
Vivace Chorus
Registered Charity No 1026337
in the name of Guildford Philharmonic Choir
Vivace Chorus
Youth Choir
TORMEAD SCHOOL
HOLY TRINITY CHURCH
HOLY TRINITY SCHOOL
Katherine Badman
BOY CHORISTERS
Lucy Barnes
Hugh Bevin
CHOIR
Francesca Allaway
Amy Brogden
Nick Brown
Leone-May Ayers
Georgina Blake
William Brown
Elise Close
Francesca Cornwall
Aidan Doran
Scarlett Close
Sarah Downey
Izzie Edwards
Emma Costerton
Ben Gibson
Alice Coulson
Sam Graham
Francesca Cox
Matthew Hawkins
Georgina Ewer
Lucy Cuckow
Robert Honey
Talitha Farrant
Josephine Darwin
Marcus Pratley
Georgina Goodwin
Ellie Fallon
Tristan Taylor
Anna Hubbard
Anna Fitzgerald
Aidan Todd
Tegan Insoll
lzzy Gatward
Charlotte Geary
Susanna James
Laura Gribble
HOLY TRINITY SCHOOL
BOYS’ CHOIR
Lily Kaye
Marina Guimaraes
James Marsden
Abigail King
Eleanor Hall
Mark Marsden
Lily Lubeck
Harriet Hall
Thomas Naisby
Beth McManus
Nicola Hoy
HOLY TRINITY PARISH
Rebecca Morgan
Danica James
Sophie Johnson
YOUTH CHOIR
Alex Newman
Eleanor Boor
Tom Nicole
Amy Keech
Zoe Cotton
Maddie Parsley
Alice Kenyon
Eleanor Dixon
Myoori Patel-Rivet
Kate Henley
Lydia Joshua
Fleur McGill
Fiona Kenyon
Alicia Gibson
Sarah Rosson
Amelia Kirby
Lizzie Harris
Tallula Lawrence
Amanda Hiley
Maddie Rourke
Francesca Sutton
Amy Ludlow
Juliette Lee
Imogen Varley
Charlotte Maggs
Rosie Lee
Katharine Varley
Naomi Waters
Natascha Mathews
Catrina MacLachlan
Alice Millar
Bethan Mason
Ursula Williams
Elizabeth Molter
Grace Miller
Tori Wright
Victoria Molter
Helena Neil-Smith
Rebecca Munro
Laura Palles-Clarke
Abigail Nolan
Esme Poole
Alicia Pettit
Zelah Poole
Christina Phillips
Nicole Rostant
Alex Pickering
Petra Todd
Christina Rasmussen
Tilly-dane Wilson
Pip Scott
Rebecca Smith
Molly Trent
Annastasia Williams
Nicole Williams
24
Vivace Chorus
|
CAN YOUR SON (OR GRANDSON) SING?
Boys are welcome in Holy Trinity Church Choir
Opportunities for boys aged 7 — 13 to:
®
join a team and make new friends
®
sing great music on important
—
s
;
occasions
Also available are
®
regular extra pocket money
®
other activities (sports etc.)
®
choral scholarships and grants
Jor instrumental tuition
Contact Martin Holford on 01483 576500 or email to office@holytrinityguildford.org.uk
CONCERT BOUQUETS from Venetian Baroque Music, 07 Mar 2009
The frogramme notes wene excellent — modt informative
masie. Definctely wonth the money!
This was superb music-making covering a range of
contrasting Baroque styles. The effect from the brass
was electrifying.
The staging for this concert is owned by
the Association
hire,
please
of Surrey Choirs.
contact
Penny
To
Peters,
Guildford Cathedral Office (tel: 01403
Financially assisted by
G_
=
GUILDFORD
BOROUGH
547860). It was purchased with financial
assistance
from
the
Foundation
for
Sport and Arts, PO Box 20, Liverpool.
Printed by WORDCRAFT
115 Merrow Woods, Guildford, Surrey GU1 2LJ
Tel: 01483 560735
Vivace Chorus
25
For Complete
Family Eyecare
Extensive range offrames
1 Wolsey Walk, Woking GU21 1XU
with many designer names
Tel: 01483 766800
Richard Broughton FCOptom DipCLP
Resident Partner
Branches also at:
Camberley, Fleet and Guildford
John Harwood
/Music Lovers...
N
You'll find what you want af the
FASHION TRAPP
Stunning Clothes in Ripley
Sizes 8-20 Casual - Occasion Wear
The Record Corner
VAST SELECTION OF CDs & DVDs
Open 2.00am - 5.30pm |
MONDAY - SATURDAY |
Classical Music Specialists
® Rock - Jazz - Pop - Folk
© Separate Pop - Classical Departments
e listening Facilities
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FOR ENQUIRIES OR OUR MAIL ORDER SERVICE
01483 422006
CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED
\
POUND LANE, GODAIMING, SURREY GU7 1BX
Vivace Chorus
Did you like what you've heard?
Would you like to get involved?
New singers are always welcome; if you'd like to know
more, talk to any of the choir members, or contact our
Membership Secretary, Jane Brooks, on 01483 539088
or email membership@vivacechorus.org
Even if you don't want to sing,
you can still be involved!
Become a Patron.
As a Patron you will receive discounts on tickets for
concerts sponsored by Vivace Chorus and priority
booking. You can also reserve seats in sections of the
Cathedral which are normally unreserved. You will be
invited to our social events and your name will appear
in our programmes.
Being a PLATINUM Patron costs just £75 a year and
entitles you to 20% off all ticket purchases.
GOLD Patrons enjoy a 10% discount on tickets in return
for their £50 subscription. [The SILVER level remains
only for existing Patrons who prefer not to upgrade.]
For more details contact our Patrons Secretary,
Chris Short, on 07703 807250 or email
patrons@vivacechorus.org
Looking forward
to seeing you at
one of our
iy
next concerts...
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Come and Sing
with us again!
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Our first Come and Sing event featured Bob Chilcott’s
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‘The Making of the Drum’ and was so popular that
we organised another last January. We were sold
out and had to turn people away. In 2010 we are
venturing to the African continent again. Book
early next autumn to avoid disappointment.
Regtsterd Charty o to2633,
www.VivaceChorus.org
Registered Charity No 1026337
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WWW.VivaceChorys
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|
Contemporary Choral
Vivace
ChOl’us .
Classics Cycle: Year 5
Luminous pieces by Tavener, Rutter
& Lauridsen, & Will Todd's
'Te Deum' - world premiere
There will be a free pre-concert talk at 6.30pm in the Chapter House:
Creating Something from Nothing - Writing to Commission.
Will Todd talks about his new 'Te Deum’.
Vivace Chorus
The Will Todd Jazz Trio and Brandenburg Sinfonia
Conductor Jeremy Backhouse
Guildford Cathedral
Saturday 16th May 2009 at 7.30pm
£20.00 - Reserved (Front Nave)
Ticket No. FNR
SING WITH THE BEST
VIVACE CHORUS — BRINGING MUSIC TO LIFE
Do you enjoy singing? We are always keen to encourage new members,
so why not consider joining the Vivace Chorus?
We rehearse on Monday evenings in central Guildford.
See www.vivacechorus.org for more details.
Date for your diary: Haydn - ‘The Creation’ - Saturday 14th November
Keep in touch and up-to-date about our concerts - join the Vivace e-mailing list
via our website, www.vivacechorus.org
Interval drinks can be ordered before the start of the concert.
Pre-concert suppers are available at the Refectory: ring 01483 560471
395oQ)~¢-N%gtGy