2 The Singers Sopranos: Leslie Buckle, Lauretta Carrick, Shari Derksen, Marcia Epstein, Liz Graves, Jennifer Hibbard, Lisa Hurrle, Janet Lavoie, Tania Smith Altos: Tenors: Basses: Suzanne Agha, Cathy Ascroft, Rachel Ewert, Jennifer Farrand, Sheila Gow, Marsha Haug, Lorna Rowsell-Petti, Sandy Willott Michael Bruch, Frejya Evenstar, Ian Macdonald, Dick Willott Michael Coulson, Marlin Derksen, Ian Kennedy, Nicholas Pre-concert speaker: Calgary Renaissance Singers and Players CRSP has been a proud part of this city s musical landscape since it was founded by Dr. Anthony Petti in 1970. The choir specializes in performing Renaissance music and music that celebrates the spirit of the Renaissance. CRSP has given Canadian premiere performances of seminal Renaissance sacred works, such as the Monteverdi Vespers of 1610, as well as commissioning and performing new choral works in Renaissance polyphonic style. The singers thrive on new creative opportunities: from singing at the local planetarium to acting and dancing to playing instruments; and from collaborating with brass, harpsichord, and recorder players to jamming with jazz saxophonists.
3 4 Jane Perry, Artistic Director Jane Perry is a choral conductor, church musician, collaborative pianist, and teacher in Calgary. She is the Artistic Director of the Calgary Renaissance Singers & Players, Music Director at the Unitarian Church of Calgary, and Artistic Director of One Voice Chorus (of which she is also the founding conductor). Jane holds a Master of Music degree (chamber music performance) from the University of Ottawa and an Associate Diploma (piano performance) from the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. In autumn 1998, she was an Artist-in-Residence at the Banff Centre for the Arts. Jane spent twenty years working as a professional musician in Ottawa before moving to Calgary. She is now happily ensconced in Calgary s arts scene. Racheal Cogan, Guest Instrumentalist Photo by Sandrine Bertaud Racheal Cogan has toured extensively as a performer with people and organizations as diverse as Ross Daly (based in Greece), and Cirque du Soleil for their shows Zaia and Totem. Her educational background ranges from a music degree in performance and ethnomusicology at Monash University in Australia to individual periods of study in India, France, The Netherlands, and Greece, all funded and supported by organizations including The Australia Council for the Arts, Asialink and The Ian Potter Foundation. She co-founded the Greek music group the habibis, whose second CD, Intoxication, won an Australian Recording Industry Award in 1999. Racheal has led and participated in many recording projects including a duo CD with Australian percussionist Tony Lewis called Transience. She is currently focused on composing and recording new works as well as performing with the Rembetika Hipsters in Calgary. You can hear her at www.rachealcogan.com. Part One Rorate, caeli desuper Gaude Maria Virgo This endris night [*endris = other] Guest Artist: Racheal Cogan Ther is no rose of swych vertu Lo, how a rose e er blooming Sinfonia à 5 with text underlay by Christoph Lahme, 2007 Salamone Rossi (1570 1630) Rorate caeli desuper. Et nubes pluant iustum. Aperiatur terra et germinet salvatorem. [Drop down dew, O heavens, from above, and may the clouds rain down goodness. May the earth open up and sprout forth justice (Isaiah 45:8)] Tomás Luis de Victoria (c. 1548 1611) Gaude Maria Virgo, cunctas hæreses sola interemisti in universo mundo. Alleluia! [Rejoice, O Virgin Mary, for you alone have destroyed all the evil in the whole world. Alleluia!] With Racheal Cogan, Eagle John Corina (b. 1928), Alto Recorder based on 15th c. carol 1. This endris* night I saw a sight, A star as bright as day, And ever among a maiden sung, Lullay, by by, lullay. 2. This lovely lady sat and sung, And to her child did say, My son, my brother, father dear, Why liest thou in hay? 3. My sweetest bird, tis required, Though thou be king veray, But nevertheless I will not cease to sing by by, lullay. With Jane Perry, harpsichord Sonata Prima à Sopran Solo Panjaneh Dario Castello (c. 1590 c. 1658) Racheal Cogan Anonymous c. 1420 Ther is no rose of swych vertu as is the rose that bare Jhesu. 1. For in this rose conteynyd was heven and erthe in lyttle space; Res miranda. [A miracle] 2. By that rose we may weel see that he is God in personys thre. Pari forma. [Equal in form] 3. The aungelys sungyn the sheperdes to: Gloria in excelsis Deo. Gaudeamus. [Glory to God in the highest. Let us rejoice!] 4. Leive we al this worldly merthe, and folwe we this joyful berthe. Transeamus. [Let us cross over] Soloists: Shari Derksen, Suzanne Agha, Michael Bruch, Marlin Derksen Michael Prætorius (1571 1621) arr. Jan Sandström (b. 1954) Lo, how a rose e er blooming, from tender stem hath sprung! Of Jesse s lineage coming, as men of old have sung. It came a floweret bright, amid the cold of winter, when half spent was the night.
Gentle Mary laid her child 5 Melchior Vulpius (1570 1615) Gentle Mary laid her child lowly in a manger; there he lay, the undefiled, to the world a stranger. Such a babe in such a place, can he be the saviour? Ask the saved of all the race who have found his favour. Angels sang about his birth, wise men sought and found him; heaven's star shone brightly forth, glory all around him. Shepherds saw the wondrous sight, heard the angels singing; all the plains were lit that night, all the hills were ringing. Gentle Mary laid her child lowly in a manger; he is still the undefiled, but no more a stranger. Son of God of humble birth, beautiful the story; praise his name in all the earth, Hail the King of Glory! In dulci jubilo Michael Prætorius (1571 1621) In dulci jubilo, nun singet und seid froh! Unsers Herzens Wonne leit in præsepio, und leuchtet als die Sonne, matris in gremio. Alpha es et O! [In sweet rejoicing, now sing and be glad! Our heart s desire now lies in a manger and shines like the sun in his mother s lap. You are the Alpha and the Omega!] Quand je bois: Tourdion Trudge away quickly Singers of good cheer Anonymous, c. 1530 (Soprano) Quand je bois du vin clairet, ami, tout tourne; aussi désormais je bois Anjou ou Arbois. Chantons et buvons, à ce flacon faisons la guerre, chantons et buvons, mes amis, buvons donc! (Alto) Le bon vin nous a rendu gais, chantons, oublions nos peines, chantons! En mangeant d'un gras jambon à ce flacon faisons la guerre! (Tenor & Bass) Buvons bien, buvons, mes amis, trinquons, buvons, gaiement chantons! En mangeant d'un gras jambon à ce flacon faisons la guerre! Singers of good cheer When I drink claret wine, friend, everything goes round and round. So from now on I'll drink Anjou or Arbois. Let's sing and drink and wage war on this bottle. Let's sing and drink, my friends, let's drink! Good wine renders us merry, let's sing, forget our sorrows, let's sing! While eating some fat ham, let us wage war on this bottle! Let us drink well, drink my friends, make a toast, drink, sing, merrily! While eating of a fat ham, let us wage war on this bottle! Thomas Ravencroft (c. 1582 1635) Trudge away quickly and fill the black bowl, devoutly as long as we bide. Now welcome, good fellows, both strangers and all: let madness and mirth set sadness aside. Of all reck'nings I love good cheer, with honest folks in company; and when drink comes my part to bear, for still methinks one tooth is dry. Love is a pastime for a king, if one be seen in physnomy; But I love well this pot to wring, For still methinks one tooth is dry. Master Butler, give us a taste of your best drink so gently: A jug or twain, and make no waste, for still methinks one tooth is dry, Master Butler, of this take part: ye love good drink as well as I: And drink to me with all your heart, for still methinks one tooth is dry. 6 Intermission (10 minutes) Part Two Cuncti simus concanentes Quæramus cum pastoribus Singers of good cheer Anonymous, c. 14th century Llibre Vermell de Monserrat Cuncti simus concanentes: Ave Maria. (x 2) 1. Virgo sola existente en affuit angelus; Gabriel est appellatus at que missus celitus. 2. Clara facieque dixit, audite, karissimi. En concipies, Maria, Ave Maria. 3. En concipies, Maria, audite, karissimi. Pariesque filium, Ave Maria. 4. Pariesque filium, audite, karissimi. Vocabis eum Ihesum, Ave Maria. [Let s all sing together: Hail Mary! (x 2) 1. When the virgin was alone, an angel appeared to her. Gabriel was his name, and he came from heaven. With shining face he said: Hail Mary! 2. With shining face he said: Listen, beloved Mary, you will conceive. Hail Mary! 3. You will conceive, beloved, and bear a son. Hail Mary! 4. You will bear a son, hear, beloved, and you will call him Jesus. Hail Mary!] Jean Mouton (1459 1522) Quæramus cum pastoribus, Verbum incarnatum: Cantemus cum hominibus, Regem seculorum. Noé. Quid tu vides in stabulo? Jesum natum de virgine. Quid audis in praesepio?angelos cum carmine, Et pastores dicentes: Noé. Ubi pascas, ubi cubes? Dic si ploras aut si rides, Te rogamus, rex Christe. Cibus est lac virgineum, Lectus durum præsepium, Carmina sunt lacrimæ. Noé. [Let us seek with the shepherds the Word Incarnate; let us sing with all people for the King of the Ages. Noel! What do you see in the stable? Jesus, born of a virgin. What do you hear in the manger? Angels with a song and shepherds saying: Noel! Where do you eat? Where do you lie? Say whether you weep or laugh: we ask you, Christ the King. Noel! My food is milk of the virgin, my bed is a hard manger. My songs are tears. Noel! Ubi caritas Ola Gjeilo (b. 1978) Ave pura tu puella Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est. Congregavit nos in unum Christi amor. Exsultemus et in ipso jucundemur. Timeamus et amemus Deum vivum. Et ex corde diligamus nos sincero. Amen. [Where charity and love are, God is there. The love of Christ has gathered us together. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. Let us revere and love the living God. And from a sincere heart let us love one another.] Cathy Ascroft, Michael Bruch, Codex Speciálník, Prague (c. 1500) Ave pura tu puella, Dominanta domicella, Cuius tuto sub mantello, Nullus timor est misello. Salve salutis fascies, Centena mille per vices. Fac mundum nos despicere, Tecum semper vivere, O nutrix egenorum. [Hail to you, pure maiden (Mary), haven of protection: under your safe cloak the anxious will find no fear, but a shelter for the fearful. Hail, image of safety, seen in a hundred thousand ways. Cleanse us of unworthiness, let us live forever with you, who feed and comfort the poor.]
7 8 Guest Artist: Racheal Cogan O magnum mysterium Bel Fiore Dança Maria, dolce Maria from Il Primo Libro Ung gay bergier after Thomas Crecquillon From a book published in 1591 demonstrating divisions on popular chansons From the Faenza Codex (c. 1400s) Francesca Caccini (1587 c. 1641) Giovanni Bassano (c. 1560 1617) Morten Lauridsen (b. 1943) Post-Concert Reception Following this evening s program, please join the performers downstairs for refreshments and conversation. From the main lobby, there is elevator access as well as a stairway to the lower level. Thanks This performance was made possible by sponsors, public support, and many volunteers and professionals: Sponsors Alberta Foundation for the Arts Calgary Arts Development Alberta Choral Federation O magnum mysterium et admirabile sacramentum, ut animalia viderent Dominum natum jacentem in praesepio! Beata Virgo, cujus viscera meruerunt portare Dominum Christum. Alleluia! [O great mystery and wonderful sacrament, that animals should see the newborn Lord, lying in a manger! Blessed is the virgin whose womb was worthy to bear the Lord Jesus Christ. Alleluia!] And you, the audience, for supporting our contribution to live music in Calgary! Jesus Christ the apple tree Soloist: Tania Smith Elizabeth Poston (1905 1987) Rehearsal space Unitarian Church of Calgary Hodie Christus natus est The tree of life my soul hath seen, laden with fruit and always green. The trees of nature fruitless be compared with Christ the apple tree. His beauty doth all things excel, by faith I know but ne'er can tell. The glory which I now can see in Jesus Christ the apple tree. For happiness I long have sought, and pleasure dearly I have bought. I missed of all but now I see 'tis found in Christ the apple tree. I'm weary with my former toil. Here I will sit and rest a while. Under the shadow I will be of Jesus Christ the apple tree. This fruit does make my soul to thrive; it keeps my dying faith alive, Which makes my soul in haste to be with Jesus Christ the apple tree. Giovanni Gabrieli (1555 1612) Hodie, Christus natus est. Hodie Salvator apparuit; hodie in terra canunt Angeli, lætantur Archangeli: hodie exsultant justi, dicentes: Gloria in excelsis Deo, alleluia. [Today, Christ has been born. Today a Savior has appeared: on the earth angels are singing, on the earth archangels are rejoicing; good people are celebrating, saying: Glory to God in the highest] Concert Production Volunteers Concert producers Sandy Willott, Sheila Gow, Michael Bruch Concert programme Tania Smith, Jane Perry, Rachel Ewert, Nick Concert recording Kevin Bruch, Matt Petti, with assistance from Llyn Strelau, St. Stephen s staff Costumes Brandis Purcell, with assistance from Ian Kennedy, Marsha Haug Credit card services Jewels By Design Facebook, Online tickets Frejya Evenstar Flowers Mar- Front of House Robin MacAulay, John Lavoie, Ben Gaudet, coordinated by Janet Lavoie Graphic design posters and programme by Tania Smith Host of choir after-party Grant Larson Journalists Kenzie Love, Leslie Buckle, coordinated by Liz Graves Program printing Publicity Lauretta Carrick, Leslie Buckle, Jennifer Farrand Reception catering Hedda Zahner Rehearsal photos Eric Leavitt Slides selected by Nick lin, with assistance from Dick Willott Stage manager Rik Barry Snacks for choir Nick Ian Macdonald Tickets Michael Coulson Treasurer Liz Graves Website Tania Smith
9 10 Images Slide Show 01 Pre-Concert chat Giovanni Bellini (c1430 1516), Madonna del Prato (1505) 02 Rossi, Rorate coeli Ducal Palace, Mantua 03 Victoria, Gaude, Maria Monasterio de las Descalzas, Madrid 04 Corina, This endris night Unknown artist, Nativity (stained glass) 05 Recorder set I Briseis Painter (VI V C. BCE) (attr.), Aulos player 06 There is no rose Trinity College Chapel, Cambridge 07 Sandström, Lo, how a rose Franz Marc (1880-1916), Colourful Flowers (Abstract Forms) (c.1914) 08 Vulpius, Gentle Mary Church of St. Peter and Paul, Weimar 09 Prætorius, In dulci iubilo Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Wolfenbüttel 10 Good Cheer I Pieter Breughel the Elder (c1525 1569), The Peasant Wedding (1568) 11 Good Cheer II Black Madonna, Abbey of Santa Maria, Montserrat, Spain 12 Mouton, Quaeramus Sainte Chapelle, Paris 13 Gjeilo, Ubi caritas Unknown artist, The Throne of Judgement, Church of the Transfiguration, Cluj, Romania 14 Ave pura, tu puella Basilica of St. George, Prague 15 Recorder set II Francesco del Cossa (1433 1477), Allegory of April (detail), fresco, Pallazzo Schifanoia, Ferrara 16 Lauridsen, O magnum Harvey Bradley, Nativity (2011) 17 Poston, Apple Tree Hannah Cohoon (1788-1864), The Tree of Life (1854) 18 Gabrieli, Hodie Christus St Mark s Basilica, Venice 19 Closing Pieter Breughel the Elder, The Parable of the Blind leading the Blind (1568) Programme images [Dove image]. Cote, J. (2009). Flickr with Creative Commons license: https://flic.kr/p/ 6PTkDF William Morris Letter J. Openclipart. https://openclipart.org/ people/kuba/william-morris-letterj.svg Recorder Angel. Day, S. (2008, May 10) Flickr, with Creative Commons license: https://flic.kr/p/gr2ksa The bath house. c. 1496. Durer. Woodcut. The Queen's Gallery. Bramhall, D. (2013). Flickr, with Creative Commons license: https://flic.kr/p/dkxow4 Cuncti simus concanentes ave maria. (c. 1350) Biblioteca Virtual Miguel de Cervantes. Retrieved from http://avemariasongs.org/aves/0-anon/vermell1.htm Alumgavar Hours, Annunciation to the shepherds. Walters Art Museum. (2013). Flickr, with Creative Commons license: https://flic.kr/p/ftxpli Woodcut illustration of Dido founding Carthage. POP (2011). Flickr, with Creative Commons license: https://flic.kr/p/bcsjgp Other images are from church & choir websites and personal photos CRSP Christmas Performances Friday, December 5th, 7:00 PM St. David s Christmas Carol Festival St. David s United Church, 3303 Capitol Hill Crescent NW. Featuring several community choirs. Admission free with donations to the Food Bank. Tuesday, December 9th, 12:00 1:00PM Fifth Avenue Place, Downtown Calgary. Renaissance Christmas carols Monday, December 15th, 12:00 1:00PM Suncor Centre, Downtown Calgary. Renaissance Christmas carols Other Concerts of Interest Thursday, Dec 4, 2014, 8:00PM Collegium Musicum. Eckhardt-Gramatte Hall, Rozsa Centre, University of Calgary. Repertoire from the Middle Ages to the late-baroque in a historically-informed context. Friday, Dec. 5, & Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014, 8:00PM Spiritus Chamber Choir: Spanish Carols and Lullabies Christ Church Elbow Park, 3602-8 St. SW. Spanish carols from the Renaissance to today. Featuring Conrad Susa s wonderful collection of carols for choir, guitar, harp and marimba. Sunday, December 13, 2014, 2:30PM Voicescapes - with Calgary Children's Choir A child s Carol: Christmas Story and Song. Rozsa Centre, University of Calgary. Family-friendly program. Sunday, January 11, 2015, 7:30PM Luminous Voices: Rapturous Renaissance Cathedral Church of the Redeemer, 218 7 Ave SE, Calgary. Spellbinding music of the 15th and 16th centuries.
11 Sunday, Feb 15, 2015, 3:00PM Early Music Voices : Clair Obscur (Soft Light) Christ Church Elbow Park 3602 8th St. SW Featuring the Montreal ensemble Pallade Musica playing French music of the eighteenth century. Our Next Concert CRSP Online Engage us! Engage an ensemble of CRSP singers for your special occasion, celebration or festival: Corporate events, school visits, Christmas, Easter, birthdays, weddings, etc. Contact us at businessmgr@renaissance-singers.com Stay informed of CRSP concerts, activities, videos, and announcements Email list: Subscribe online at http://eepurl.com/rlckp Main Website: http://www.renaissance-singers.com/ Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/calgary.renaissance.singers Google+: http://plus.google.com/+renaissancesingersplayers/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/calgaryrenaissance Come sing with us! Calgary Renaissance Singers & Players invite prospective new singers (especially tenors and basses!) to audition for admission to the choir. Auditionees should have previous choral experience and some sightsinging ability. It is not necessary to have previous experience with Renaissance music you can learn with us! We rehearse on Wednesdays 7:30-9:30pm at the Unitarian Church of Calgary, 1703 1 St NW. To arrange an audition, contact Artistic Director Jane Perry at conductor@renaissance-singers.com