Concert Selections from our 2022 program (or find complete program notes HERE.
TB Voices from Chor Anno
First the Latin:
Ad astra per aspera, Sursum.
Movere deinceps. Sine cura, post omnes.
And the English:
To the stars through difficulties. When you're tired and troubled, and you have lost your way, don't let hard times lead you astray. Look upward. Move forward. Leave all cares behind!
Lyrics from poetry by John Donne
At the round earth's imagined corners,
blow your trumpets, Angells, and arise, arise
From death, you numberlesse infinities
Of soules, and to your scattered bodies goe,
All whom the flood did, and fire shall overthrow,
All whom warre, dearth, age, agues, tyrannies,
Despaire, law, chance, hath slaine, and you whose eyes,
Shall behold God and never taste death's woe,
But let them sleepe, Lord, and mee mourne a space,
For, if above all these, my sinnes abound,
"Tis late to aske abundance of Thy grace,
When wee are there; here on this lowly ground,
Teach mee how to repent; for that's as good
As if Thou hadst seal'd my pardon, with Thy blood.
CARITAS ABUNDAT with plainsong by Hildegard von Bingen from about the year 1150 forms the melodic part, complete with modern harmonies composed by the very much alive Nancy Grundahl, has but one message...Love Abounds. That message provides the moral rudder guiding us onward throughout this program.
Love abounds in all things.
From the depths, to the heights,
To the heights of the stars!
Love abounds in all things,
Love bequeaths to the Holy One
The kiss of peace
INSANAE ET VANAE CURAE by Franz Joseph Haydn speaks to the insanity of busy lives and those of us who fail to slow down and look to the heavens for peace. Here is Haydn's contribution to our story: (translated from the Latin)
Vain and raging cares invade our minds,
Madness often fills the heart, robbed of hope,
O mortal man, what does it profit to endeavour at worldly things,
if you should neglect the heavens?
If God is for you, all things are favorable for you.
O LUX BEATA TRINITAS is by Will Todd, a composer who makes his home in the UK. His music is rapidly becoming well known in all genres...and world-wide. Todd uses plainsong chant. The organ (played by our own Dan Colgan), as well as the choir, often provide a stunning backdrop for the chant. Whether from the viewpoint of those of the faith community or that from those who see the "dawning of a new day," O Lux speaks to us of hope. Here is the translation from the Latin:
O Trinity of blessed light,
O Unity of princely might,
The fiery sun now goes his way;
Shed Thou within our hearts Thy ray.
To Thee our morning song of praise,
To Thee our evening prayer we raise;
Thy glory suppliant we adore
Forever and forevermore.
All laud to God the Father be;
All praise, Eternal Son, to Thee;
All glory, as is ever meet,
To God the Holy Paraclete.
THE LORD IS IN YOUR MIDST is a piece I (Howard Meharg) wrote 35 years ago. I laid it aside, only to "unearth" it a few weeks ago. My intent, since I had never heard it sung by a full choir, was to ask Chor Anno to sing it for me once just to hear my own "creation." Much to my happy surprise, they liked it and Nicole insisted it be included in this year's program. As was said earlier, many people find great solace, especially in difficult times, in their faith. The text for this piece (taken from Zephaniah 3:14) definitely fits into the idea of a "glimmer of grace." I especially like the lines where it says "You shall fear evil no more." And later, "He will renew you in His love." Here are the words:
Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion,
Shout, O Israel.
Rejoice and exalt with all your heart
O daughter of Jerusalem.
The Lord has taken away the judgments against you.
He has cast out your enemies.
The King of israel, the Lord is in your midst,
You shall fear evil no more.
On that day it shall be said in Jerusalem,
Do not fear O Zion,
Let not your hands grow weak, O Jerusalem,
The Lord your God is in your midst.
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
He will renew you in His love.
He will exalt over you with loud singing,
As on a day of festival.
BRIGHT MORNING STARS is a setting of a traditional Appalchian folk hymn by our friend Shawn Kirchner. It keeps the mountain flavor of the region with both the plaintive melody and the lyrics. It's not uncommon for composers, poets...artists of all kinds as well as travelers, explorers, and theologians...all those who tend to be searchers...to look to the stars for guidance. Consider the north star, the Big Dipper (the drinking gourd), and all the rest. Here are the simple words to "Bright Morning Stars:" Ben Bouton (Vancouver) is our soloist.
Bright morning stars are rising,
Day is a-breaking in my soul.
O where are our dear fathers?
Day is a-breaking in my soul.
They are down in the valley praying,
Day is a-breaking in my soul.
O where are our dear mothers?
Day is a-breaking in my soul.
They have gone to heaven shouting,
Day is a-breaking in my soul.
O where are our dear children?
Day is a-breaking in my soul.
They're upon the earth a-dancing.
Day is a-breaking in my soul.
CHANT TO THE NIGHT SKY is a marvelous piece written by our friend Ken DeJong. Ken wrote this as a commission for the Capital City Chorus of Olympia, Dan Colgan, director. In an interesting turn of events, Dan had to cancel (because of Covid) the concert where this piece was to be premiered. Dan Colgan is now a member of Chor Anno. So this wonderful work with poetry by Jeanne Lohmann (1923-2016), is sung for the first time in our 2022 concerts!
I suppose it's needless to say, but we love the line "teach us the quiet of the stars." Here is the complete text:
Teach me to sing,
teach me ancient songs,
Let there be music in me past words.
Roughen my language,
Clear me from falsehood.
Teach me the quiet of the stars
and the duff under the redwoods.
Let me hear the many, many voices of the sea.
Let the sea be loud in my ears.
Teach me songs I don't know
Bring memory back in music of the drums,
the pounding feet, the circles of dance.
Call the druids home.
Call the wise women from the sea,
teach me songs.
NON NOBIS DOMINE was written by contemporary composer, Rosephanye Powell. It simply takes the words of the motto of the Knights Templar which translate to:
"Non Nobis Domine, Non Nobis, Sed Nomini Tuo Da Gloriam - Not In Our Name Lord, Not In Our Name, But In the Name Of Your Glory".
Many people find comfort in their religious faith, looking to such ancient texts to provide a home-base for this faith.
PEACE FLOWS INTO ME is based on lyrics by the poet, Sara Teasdale with the music by a former member of Chor Anno, now living in Parrsboro, Nova Scotia...Paul Aitken. Paul was commissioned by the Laramie County School District to write this piece for the retirement of Sean Ambrose, a choral colleague and friend of our conductor, Nicole. The poem is:
Peace flows into me as the tide to the pool by the shore.
It is mine forever more
It will not ebb like the sea.
I am the pool of blue that worships the vivid sky;
My hopes were heaven high.
They are all fulfilled in you.
I am the pool of gold when sunset burns and burns and dies.
You are my deepening skies.
Give me your stars to hold
I am the pool of gold
They are all fulfilled in you!
Peace flows into me.