Ars Cantorum

presents

Approach with Joy!

Music by ralph Vaughan Williams
Including the Mass in G minor, Serenade to Music,
and folksong settings
with works by Britten, Lauridsen & Barber

Saturday, November 8, 2014

Grace Episcopal Church, Amherst, MA
8:00 pm

ArsCantorum

Soprano

Alto

EmilyAnderson

SarahBoy

AliceGoodwinBrown

LaurelGardner

LorieHealy

LissaGreenough

LibbyMaxey

JessicaMixBarrington

ChrisMortenson

JoanOBrien

SuzanSmith

Tenor

Bass

DennisCosta

BritAlbritton

DonaldCotter

ScottBarton

ChristopherMarcus

AldenBooth

JamesMead

PengyewChin
RichardDamon

ElizabethHartDamon,Director
RichardDamon,OrganandPiano

Program
MassinGminorRalphVaughanWilliams
(18721958)
DianaBrewer,DanielRoihl,MarcWiner,PeterShea,soloists
Kyrie eleison.
Christe eleison.
Kyrie eleison.

Lord, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

Gloria in excelsis Deo.

Et in terra pax hominibus bon voluntatis.

Glory be to God in the highest.

And in earth peace to men of good will.

Laudamus te; benedicimus te; adoramus te; glorificamus te.

Gratias agimus tibi propter magnam gloriam tuam.

We praise you; we bless you; we worship you; we glorify you.

We give thanks to you for your great glory.

Domine Deus, Rex coelestis, Deus Pater omnipotens.

Domine Fili unigenite Jesu Christe.
Domine Deus, Agnus Dei, Filius Patris.

O Lord God, Heavenly King, God the Father Almighty.

O Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son.
Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father.

Qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis.

Qui tollis peccata mundi, suscipe deprecationem nostram.
Qui sedes ad dextram Patris, miserere nobis.

You who take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
You who take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer.
You who sit at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us.

Quoniam tu solus Sanctus, tu solus Dominus,

tu solus Altissimus, Jesu Christe.
Cum Sancto Spiritu in gloria Dei Patris. Amen.

For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the most high, Jesus Christ.
With the Holy Spirit in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Credo in unum Deum; Patrem omnipotentem,

factorem coeli et terrae, visibilium omnium et invisibilium.

I believe in one God; the Father almighty,

maker of heaven and earth, and of all things seen and unseen.

Et in unum Dominum Jesum Christum,

Filium Dei unigenitum,
Et ex Patre natum ante omnia scula.
Deum de Deo, lumen de lumine, Deum verum de Deo vero,
Genitum non factum, consubstantialem 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.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ,

the only Son of God,
begotten of the Father before all worlds;
God from God, light from light, true God from true God,
begotten not made; of one being with the Father,
through whom all things were made.
Who for us and for our salvation
descended from heaven;
and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit,
of the Virgin Mary, and was made man.

Crucifixus etiam pro nobis, sub Pontio Pilato,

passus et sepultus est.
Et resurrexit tertia die secundum Scripturas.
Et ascendit in coelum: sedet ad dexteram Patris.
Et iterum venturus est cum gloria, judicare vivos et
mortuos: cujus regni non erit finis.

For our sake he was crucified, under Pontius Pilate;

he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures:
he ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father;
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead; and
his kingdom will have no end.

Credo 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.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,

Who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified;
He has spoken through the prophets.

Credo in unam sanctam, catholicam et apostolicam

Ecclesiam.

I believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.

Confiteor unum baptisma, in remissionem peccatorum.

Et expecto resurrectionem mortuorum
et vitam venturi sculi. Amen.

I acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.

And I wait for the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus, Dominus Deus Sabaoth.

Pleni sunt coeli et terra gloria tua.
Osanna in excelsis.

Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Hosts.

Heaven and earth are full of Thy glory.
Hosanna in the highest.

Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini.

Osanna in excelsis.

Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.

Hosanna in the highest.

Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi,

miserere nobis.
Agnus Dei, Dona nobis pacem.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,

have mercy upon us.
Lamb of God, grant us peace.

TheBirdsSong(fromPilgrimsProgress)

RalphVaughanWilliams

(textbyJohnBunyan)

TheLordismyshepherd:thereforecanIlacknothing.
Hemakethmetoliedowningreenpastures:heleadethmebesidethestillwaters.
Herestorethmysoul:heleadethmeinthepathsofrighteousnessforhisnamessake:
Yea,thoughIwalkthroughthevalleyoftheshadowofdeath,Iwillfearnoevil:
forthouartwithme;thyrodandthystafftheycomfortme.
Surelygoodnessandmercyshallfollowmeallthedaysofmylife:andIwilldwellinthehouseoftheLordforever.

LibbyMaxey,soprano

ThePilgrimsPsalm(fromPilgrimsProgress)

RalphVaughanWilliams

IwillputonthewholearmouroflightthatImaybeabletostandintheevilday.
Theshieldoffaith,thehelmetofsalvation,thebreastplateofrighteousness,theswordofthespirit.
Godgirdethmewithstrengthofwarandmakethmywayperfect.
Yea,Iwillsmitemineenemies,theyshallnotbeabletostandbutfallundermyfeet.
BlestbetheLordmystrengththatteachethmyhandstowarandmyfingerstofight,
Myhopeandmyfortress,mycastleandmydeliverer,mydefenseinwhomItrust.
Iwillnotbeafraidoftheterrorbynight,norforthearrowthatfliethbyday,
forthou,Lord,artmyhope,thouhastsetmyhouseofdefenseveryhigh.
Iwillgoforward,valiantinfight,andputtoflightthearmiesofevil.
Hethatovercomethshallinheritallthings.

DanielRoihl,countertenor

JubilateDeo

BenjaminBritten
(19131976)

ObejoyfulintheLord,allyelands:ServetheLordwithgladnessandcomebeforehispresencewithasong.
BeyesurethattheLordheisGod:itishethathathmadeusandnotweourselves.
Wearehispeopleandthesheepofhispasture.Ogoyourwayintohisgateswiththanksgiving,
andintohiscourtswithpraise.Bethankfuluntohim,andspeakgoodofhisname.
FortheLordisgracious,hismercyiseverlasting:andhistruthendurethfromgenerationtogeneration.

GlorybetotheFather,andtotheSon,andtotheHolyGhost.
Asitwasinthebeginning,isnowandevershallbe:Worldwithoutend,Amen.

SerenadetoMusic

Intermission

RalphVaughanWilliams

(WordsfromShakespearesTheMerchantofVenice)

Norisnotmovdwithconcordofsweetsounds,
Isfitfortreasons,stratagemsandspoils;
Themotionsofhisspiritaredullasnight,
AndhisaffectionsdarkasErebus:
Letnosuchmanbetrusted...Music!hark!

Lorenzo:
Howsweetthemoonlightsleepsuponthisbank!
Herewillwesit,andletthesoundsofmusic
Creepinourears:softstillnessandthenight
Becomethetouchesofsweetharmony.
Look,howthefloorofheaven
Isthickinlaidwithpatinesofbrightgold:
Theresnotthesmallestorbthatthoubeholdst
Butinhismotionlikeanangelsings
Stillquiringtotheyoungeyedcherubins;
Suchharmonyisinimmortalsouls;
But,whilstthismuddyvestureofdecay
Dothgrosslycloseitin,wecannothearit.
Come,ho!andwakeDianawithahymn:
Withsweetesttouchespierceyourmistressear,
Anddrawherhomewithmusic.

Nerissa:
Itisyourmusicofthehouse.

Portia:
Methinksitsoundsmuchsweeterthanbyday.

Nerissa:
Silencebestowsthatvirtueonit.

Portia:
Howmanythingsbyseasonseasondare.
Totheirrightpraiseandtrueperfection!
Peace,ho!themoonsleepswithEndymion,
Andwouldnotbeawakd.

Jessica:
IamnevermerrywhenIhearsweetmusic.

Lorenzo:
Thereasonis,yourspiritsareattentive:
Themanthathathnomusicinhimself,

(Softstillnessandthenight
Becomethetouchesofsweetharmony.)

SureonthisShiningNight

(poembyJamesAgee)

SamuelBarber
(19101981)

Sureonthisshiningnightofstarmadeshadowsround,
Kindnessmustwatchformethissidetheground.
Thelateyearliesdownthenorth.Allishealed,allishealth.
Highsummerholdstheearth.Heartsallwhole.
SureonthisshiningnightIweepforwonderwandringfaralone
Ofshadowsonthestars.

LindenLea

RalphVaughanWilliams

Withinthewoodlands,flowrygladed,bytheoaktreesmossymoot,
Theshininggrassblades,timbershaded,nowdoquiverunderfoot;
Andbirdsdowhistleoverhead,andwatersbubblinginitsbed;
Andthere,forme,theappletreedoleandownlowinLindenLea.


Whenleaves,thatlatelywereaspringing,nowdofadewithinthecopse,
Andpaintedbirdsdohushtheirsinging,upuponthetimbertops;
Andbrownleavedfruitsaturningred,incloudlesssunshineoverhead,
Withfruitforme,theappletreedoleandownlowinLindenLea.

Letotherfolkmakemoneyfasterintheairofdarkroomedtowns;
Idontdreadapeevishmaster,thoughnomanmayheedmyfrowns.
Ibefreetogoabroad,ortakeagainmyhomewardroad
Towhere,forme,theappletreedoleandownlowinLindenLea.

LetBeautyAwake(fromSongsofTravel)

RalphVaughanWilliams

LetBeautyawakeinthemornfrombeautifuldreams,beautyawakefromrest!
LetBeautyawakeforBeautyssakeinthehourwhenthebirdsawakeinthebrake
Andthestarsarebrightinthewest!
LetBeautyawakeintheevefromtheslumberofday,awakeinthecrimsoneve!
Inthedaysduskendwhentheshadesascend,letherwaketothekissofatenderfriend,
Torenderagainandreceive!

JamesMead,tenor

EarlyintheSpring

RalphVaughanWilliams

Oearly,earlyintheSpring,thecuckooandthenightingalesosweetlyweresinging.
AsIwalkedoutoneMaymorning,O,thereIdidtwoloverssee,theyweretakingoftheair,O...
Thenthisyoungcoupletheywalkedalong,andthisyoungmanhesangasong,thinkingtogainherfavor.
Sinceyouvegainedmyheart,saidshe,andstolenawaymyliberty,praygranttomeyourname,Sir.
Tochurchthenthisyoungcouplewent,andmarriedwere,insweetcontent,sheandherowntruelover.

SheepLullaby

musicandwordsbyRichardDamon

(b.1957)
Wouldyouliketogotosleeplikeahappylittlesheep
whohasbeenoutsidealldayjumpingupanddownonhay?
Happylittlesheeplikestosinghimselftosleep:Baa,baa,baa,baa.

Everychilddeservestosleeplikeahappylittlesheep,
who,withjoyandsweetdelight,slumberssafelythroughthenight.
Happylittlesheeplikestosingherselftosleep:Baa,baa,baa,baa.

Nowwewishagentlesleepforallhappylittlesheep,
Grantthemsweetandpeacefulrest,andwithhappydreamsbeblessed.
Happylittlesheepliketosingthemselvestosleep:Baa,baa,baa,baa.

LochLomond

RalphVaughanWilliams

Byyonbonnybanksandyonbonnybraes,wherethesunshinesbrightonLochLomond,
Wheremeandmytruelovewereeverwonttogae,onthebonny,bonnybanksofLochLomond.

Refrain:OyoulltakethehighroadandIlltakethelowroadandIllbeinScotlandaforeye,
Butmeandmytruelovewillnevermeetagainonthebonny,bonnybanksofLochLomond.

Twastherethatwepartedinyonshadyglen,onthesteep,steepsideofBenLomond,
WheredeepinpurplehuetheHighlandhillsweview,andthemooncomingoutinthegloaming.Refrain.

Theweebirdiessingandthewildflowrsspring,andinsunshinethewatersaresleeping,
Butthebrokenheartitkensnaesecondspringagainthothewoefulmayceasefromtheirgreeting.Refrain.

DonaldCotter,tenor
WhithermustIwander?(fromSongsofTravel)

RalphVaughanWilliams

Homenomorehometome,whithermustIwander?Hungermydriver,IgowhereImust.
Coldblowsthewinterwindoverhillandheather:thickdrivestherainandmyroofisinthedust.
Lovedofwisemenwastheshadeofmyrooftree,thetruewordofwelcomewasspokeninthedoor
Deardaysofoldwiththefacesinthefirelight,kindfolksofold,youcomeagainnomore.
Homewashomethen,mydear,fullofkindlyfaces,homewashomethen,mydear,happyforthechild.
Fireandthewindowsbrightglitteredonthemoorland;song,tunefulsong,builtapalaceinthewild.
Nowwhendaydawnsonthebrowofthemoorland,lonestandsthehouse,andthechimneystoneiscold.
Loneletitstand,nowthefriendsarealldeparted,thekindhearts,thetruehearts,thatlovedtheplaceofold.
Springshallcome,comeagain,callingupthemoorfowl,
springshallbringthesunandtherain,bringthebeesandflowers;
Redshalltheheatherbloomoverhillandvalley,softflowthestreamthroughtheevenflowinghours.
Fairthedayshineasitshoneonmychildhoodfairshinethedayonthehousewithopendoor;
BirdscomeandcrythereandtwitterinthechimneybutIgoforeverandcomeagainnomore.

Justasthetidewasflowing

PeterShea,baritone

RalphVaughanWilliams

OnemorninginthemonthofMay,downbysomerollingriver,
Ajollysailor,Ididstray,whenIbeheldmylover,
Shecarelesslyalongdidstray,apickingofthedaisiesgay;
Andsweetlysangherroundelay,justasthetidewasflowing.

O!herdressitwassowhiteasmilk,andjewelsdidadornher.
Hershoesweremadeofthecrimsonsilk,justlikesomeladyofhonour.
Hercheekswerered,hereyeswerebrown,herhairinringletshangingdown;
Shedalovelybrow,withoutafrown,justasthetidewasflowing.

Imadeabowandsaid,fairmaid,howcameyouheresoearly?
Myheart,byyouitisbetraydforIdoloveyoudearly.
Iamasailorcomefromsea,ifyouwillacceptofmycompany
towalkandviewthefishesplay,justasthetidewasflowing.

Nomorewesaid,butonourwaywedgangdalongtogether;
Thesmallbirdssang,andthelambsdidplay,andpleasantwastheweather.
Whenwewerewearywedidsitdownbeneathatreewithbranchesround;
FormytrueloveatlastIdfound,justasthetidewasflowing.

SureonthisShiningNight

MortenLauridsen

(b.1943)

RalphVaughanWilliams

(See text above)

TheOldHundredthPsalmTune

JamesMead,trumpet

Theaudienceisencouragedtosingverses1and5ofthispiecetogetherwiththegroup
itsamelodywhichislikelyfamiliartomany.
Youwillbeshownwhentosingandwhentostoppleasejoinus!

PROGRAMNOTES

RalphVaughanWilliamsrelationshipwithmusicisbeautifullyexpressedintwoquotesofhis.Thefirst,
fromhisownMusicalAutobiography,referstoamusicalideathusly:Here[is]afeelingofrecognition,
asofmeetinganoldfriend,whichcomestousallinthefaceofgreatartisticexperiences.Ihadthesame
experiencewhenIfirstheardanEnglishfolksong,whenIfirstsawMichelangelosDayandNight,
whenIsuddenlycameuponStonehengeorhadmyfirstsightofNewYorkCitytheintuitionthatIhad
beentherealready.Andthesecondquote,apparentlyspokentwoweekspriortohisdeath:Inthe
nextworld,Ishallnotbedoingmusic,withallitsstrivingsanddisappointments;Ishallbebeingit

ThereisanaturalnesstoRVWsmusicaqualitywhichisinharmonywiththeimagesthesequotes
evoke.HismusicisconsideredquintessentiallyEnglish,(hisworkwaspartofamusicaleraknownas
theRiseofMusicalNationalism),butitalsostrikesusasbeingadeeplypersonalstatement.Thesedays,
ifVaughanWilliamswereaskedtocheckaboxonareligiousquestionnaire,hemightwellhaveselected
theSpiritualbutnotreligiousoptionheisknownforglorioussacredmusic,andhisonlyoperaisa
deeplyaffectingsettingofPilgrimsProgress,yethewasadeclaredagnostic.ThefactthatVaughan
Williamswrotesuchasignificantamountofmusicforthechurchis,then,somewhatsurprising.Its
difficulttoperformorhearhissacredmusicwithoutbelievingthathe,himself,believed,forhisgreatskill
ininterpretingtheholy(howeverhechosetointerpretit)isunquestionable.Andnowhereisthatmore
evidentthaninhisonlymasssetting,theMassinGminor.
ThisworkhonorsthestyleofmasssettingsoftheEnglishRenaissance,payinghomagetocomposerssuch
asThomasTallisandWilliamByrd.(VaughanWilliamsfascinationwiththismusicalperiodisevidentin
hisfamouscomposition,theFantasiaonaThemeofThomasTallis.)Itsinterestingtonotethatthiswasthe
firstnotablechoralmasssettingwrittenbyanEnglishcomposersincethatRenaissanceperiodVaughan
WilliamsisconsideredtobethefirstmemorableEnglishcomposersinceHenryPurcell(16591695).He
composedtheworkin1921,afewyearsafterreturningfromservinginWorldWarI.Hededicatedthe
Masstohisclosefriend,GustavHolst,andtoHolstsgroup,theWhitsuntideSingers.Inthismasssetting,
VaughanWilliamshonorsthemodalharmonyandexquisitecounterpointofhisTudorpredecessorswith
adistinctlyupdatedfeelingforcontrastingvocalcolors.Hisuseoftheeightpartdoublechoirwithfour
soloistscreatesdramaticandantiphonaleffects,andtherecurringminormotivewhichisheard
throughoutmuchofthepiece(thealtosopeningmotifDCFED)ishaunting,perhapsevokinghis
recentexperiencesonthebattlefield.VaughanWilliamsopensandclosestheMasswiththismotive,
connectingtheopeningofKyriewiththefinalAmenoftheAgnusDei.Otherpassagesseemtomusically
speakofhope;forexample,theremarkableTusolusaltissimuspassageforsolosopranointheGloriaor
thesoloquartetscapsulesummaryofthePassionandResurrectionintheCredo.Hereandelsewhere
amongtheminortonality,thereisasubduednoteofoptimismwovensubtlyintothecontrapuntaltexture
ofthework.
VaughanWilliamsinterestinthemusicalheritageoftheTudorerawas,perhaps,alogicalcounterpartto
thecomposersfascinationwithEnglishfolkmusic;bothprovidedbasicingredientsfromwhichhecould
evolvehisownindividualstyle.RVWisverywellknownforhisfolksongsettingstheyaremuch

belovedbybothchoralsingersandaudiencesfortheirgracefulness,poignancyorplayfulness.Andeach
ofthemtellsastory.Attheturnofthelastcenturyhewasamongtheveryfirsttotravelintothe
countrysideinvariouspartsofEnglandtocollectfolksongsandcarolsandeventuallysetmanyofthem
intotinymusicalgems,whicharesowelllovedbychoralsingersandaudiencesalike.Thefolksongs
heardtonightwerewrittenbetween1901and1950,withtheearliestbeingLindenLea,andthelatest,Early
intheSpring,whichwaspartofasetcalledFolkSongsoftheFourSeasons.
RVWswonderfulandquitenumeroussongcyclesarebasedlargelyonpoetrybybelovedBritishpoets.
ThesongsheardinourfirsthalfarefromacyclecalledThePilgrimsJourney,themusicofwhichistaken
fromhisoperaThePilgrimsProgress,writtenin1951.TheothertwosongsarefromtheSongsofTravel
cycle,onpoemsbyRobertLouisStevenson,andcomposedbetween1901and1904.
VaughanWilliamswrotetheSerenadetoMusicasatributetotheconductorSirHenryWoodtomarkthe
fiftiethanniversaryofWoodsfirstconcert.Thetextisanadaptationofadiscussionaboutmusicandthe
musicofthespheresfromActV,Scene1ofShakespearesTheMerchantofVenice.Thesolopartswere
composedspecificallyforthevoicesofsixteeneminentBritishsingerschosenbyWoodandthecomposer
thissamegrouplatermadearecordingofthepiece(whichyoucanfindontheinternet).Insomeparts
ofthework,thesoloistssangtogetherasachoir;inothers,eachsoloistwasallottedoneormoresolo
passages.Interestingly,thepublishedscoreplacestheinitialsofeachsoloistnexttohisorherlines.In
ourperformancethisevening,thegroupsingsthemorechorallycomposedsectionsandvarioussoloists
takethesolopassages.Lackinganorchestra,weareusingthepianoaccompaniment,andaddthe
gorgeoussoloviolinlinefromtheorchestralversion.Woodconductedthefirstperformanceforhis
jubileeconcertattheRoyalAlbertHallonOctober5,1938,withthreefamousLondonorchestras
combiningtoplaythework,alongwiththethenfamoussingers.SergeiRachmaninoffplayedinthefirst
halfofthatconcertassoloistinhisSecondPianoConcerto;apparently,whenheheardtheSerenadefrom
hisplaceintheaudience,hewassoovercomebythebeautyofthemusicthathewept.
RoundingoutourprogramareworksbyBritishandAmericancomposerswhoselifetimesoverlapped
withthatofVaughanWilliams.BrittensJubilateDeoinCwaswrittenin1961forSt.GeorgesChapel,
WindsorCastleattherequestofH.R.H.TheDukeofEdinburgh(QueenElizabethshusband).Although
writtentobesungforAnglicanliturgy,somethoughttheworktobeabittooimpudentorextroverted
foruseinchurchservices.AlongwiththeSerenadetoMusic,severalofourpiecesinthesecondhalfofthe
concertcalltomindthemagicalqualityofnighttime.ThetwosettingsofSureonthisShiningNight,based
onJamesAgeeslovelypoem,bothsuperblyevokethesenseofwonderwhichwehumanscanderiveby
beingoutinahushednightunderaskyfilledwithstars.AndtheSheepLullabyisacharmingexpression
ofeveryparents(orgrandparents)wishtokeepachildsafethroughthenight.
WeincludeintonightsprogramtheOldHundredthPsalmTune,whichwascomposedforthecoronation
ofQueenElizabethin1953.Youcanfindavideoofthefirstperformanceonlineweofferyouthechance
thiseveningtoexperienceabitofwhatthatoccasionwaslikebyinvitingyoutosingverses1and5with
us.Ourwellbelovedtenor,JimMead,hadtoldmethatheplayedtrumpetwhenhewasmuchyounger,
andIaskedifhedliketoplaythistonightIwasdelightedwhenhesaidyes.

Thankyousoverymuchforbeingwithustonight.

ElizabethHartDamon