KANTOREI IN RECITAL:
HOW CAN I KEEP FROM SINGING? ALICIA RIGSBY, Collaborative Pianist JOHN BARTLEY, baritone Begin the Beguine
Cole Porter
ALLISON BARBER PASTERNAK, mezzo soprano "Back to Before"
Stephen Flaherty
from Ragtime
CHRISTIANNA SULLINS, soprano Come to the Fair LAURA TRIBBY, mezzo soprano "Why Do They Shut Me Out of Heaven?" from Twelve Poems of Emily Dickenson
BRAD LARSON, baritone "The Call"
Frederick John Easthope Martin
Aaron Copland
Ralph Vaughan Williams
from Five Mystical Songs
JENNIFER MOORE, mezzo "Take Me to the World"
Stephen Sondheim
from Evening Primrose
JADE HOWARD, soprano Fly Me to the Moon Matt Gierke, guitar
Bart Howard
KEITH FERGUSON, tenor "Stranger in Paradise"
Robert Wright, George Forrest
from Kismet
WWW.KANTOREI.ORG
STACIE HANSON, soprano "Somewhere That's Green"
Alan Menken
from Little Shop of Horrors
ALICIA RIGSBY, piano Improvisation No. 15 in C minor (FP 176)
Francis Poulenc
Hommage à Edith Piaf
MATT WEISSENBUEHLER, baritone "Warm as the Autumn Light"
Douglas Stuart Moore
from The Ballad of Baby Doe
BERYL FANSLOW WILSON, soprano "V'adoro, pupille"
George Friedric Handel
from Giulio Cesare
KIMBERLY DUNNINGER, soprano Arise and Shine for Our America MATTHEW ESCHLIMAN, tenor For Everyone Born
ERIN PETTITT, soprano I Dream a World
KANTOREI How Can I Keep from Singing? Maureen Farkash, oboe Sarah Whitnah, violin Alicia Rigsby, piano
Kimberly Dunninger
Brian Mann, arr. Tom Trenney
Christine Jobson, Sarah Ruff
Robert Lowry, arr. Taylor Davis
Audio by Tim Gulsrud ● Soundpost Acoustics Video by Daniel Herman ● Mineral Sound
TEXTS & TRANSLATIONS Begin the Beguine Cole Parter When they begin the Beguine It brings back the sound of music so tender, It brings back a night of tropical splendour, It brings back a memory ever green. I'm with you once more under the stars, And down by the shore an orchestra's playing And even the palms seem to be swaying When they begin the Beguine. To live it again is past all endeavor, Except when that tune clutches my heart, And there we are, swearing to love forever, And promising never, never to part. What moments divine, what rapture serene, Till clouds came along to disperse the joys we had tasted, And now when I hear people curse the chance that was wasted, I know but too well what they mean; So don't let them begin the Beguine Let the love that was once a fire remain an ember; Let it sleep like the dead desire I only remember When they begin the Beguine. Oh yes, let them begin the Beguine, make them play Till the stars that were there before return above you, Till you whisper to me once more, "Darling, I love you!" And we suddenly know, what heaven we're in, When they begin the Beguine. Back to Before Lynn Ahrens There was a time our happiness seemed never-ending. I was so sure that where we were heading was right. Life was a road so certain and straight and unbending. Our little road with never a cross road in sight. Back in the days when we spoke in civilized voices, Women in white and sturdy young men at the oar. Back in the days when I let you make all my choices... We can never go back to before. There was a time my feet were so solidly planted. You'd sail away while I turned my back to the sea. I was content, a princess asleep and enchanted. If I had dreams, then I let you dream them for me.
Back in the days when everything seemed so much clearer. Women in white who knew what their lives held in store. Where are they now, those women who stared from the mirror? We can never go back to before. There are people out there unafraid of revealing that they might have a feeling, or they might have been wrong. There are people out there unafraid to feel sorrow, unafraid of tomorrow, unafraid to be weak... unafraid to be strong. There was a time when you were the person in motion. I was your wife. It never occurred to want more. You were my sky, my moon, and my stars, and my ocean. We can never go back to before. We can never go back to before. Come to the Fair Helen Taylor The sun is a shining to welcome the day, Heigh-ho! come to the fair! The folk are all singing so merry and gay, Heigh-ho! come to the fair! All the stalls on the green are as fine as can be With trinkets and tokens so pretty to see, So it's come then, maidens and men, To the fair in the pride of the morning So deck yourselves out in your finest array, With a heigh-ho! come to the fair! The fiddles are playing the tune that you know: Heigh-ho! come to the fair! The drums are all beating, away let us go, Heigh-ho! come to the fair! There'll be racing and chasing from morning till night, And roundabouts turning to left and to right, So it's come then, maidens and men, To the fair in the pride of the morning So lock up your house, there'll be plenty of fun, And it's heigh-ho! come to the fair! For love making too, if so be you've a mind, Heigh-ho! come to the fair! For hearts that are happy are loving and kind, Heigh-ho! come to the fair! If "Haste to the wedding" the fiddles should play, I warrant you'll dance to the end of the day;
Come then, maidens and men, To the fair in the pride of the morning The sun is a-shining to welcome the day, With a heigh-ho! come to the fair! Why Do They Shut Me Out of Heaven? Emily Dickenson Why do they shut Me out of Heaven? Did I sing too loud? But I can say a little “Minor” Timid as a Bird! Wouldn’t the Angels try me Just once more Just see if I troubled them But don’t shut the door! Oh, if I were the Gentleman In the “White Robe” And they were the little Hand that knocked Would I forbid? [Why do they shut Me out of Heaven? Did I sing too loud?] The Call George Herbert Come, my Way, my Truth, my Life: Such a Way, as gives us breath: Such a Truth, as ends all strife: Such a Life, as killeth death. Come, My Light, my Feast, my Strength: Such a Light, as shows a feast: Such a Feast, as mends in length: Such a Strength, as makes his guest. Come, my Joy, my Love, my Heart: Such a Joy, as none can move: Such a Love, as none can part: Such a Heart, as joys in love. Take Me to the World Stephen Sondheim Let me see the world with clouds, Take me to the world. Out where I can push through crowds Take me to the world.
A world that smiles, With streets instead of aisles, Where I can walk for miles with you. Take me to the world that's real, Show me how it's done. Teach me how to laugh, to feel. Move me to the sun. Just hold my hand Whenever we arrive, Take me to a world Where I can be alive. Let me see the world that smiles, Take me to the world. Somewhere I can walk for miles, Take me to the world. With all around, Things growing in the ground, Where birds that make a sound Are birds. We shall see the world come true, We shall have the world. I won't be afraid with you We shall have the world! I'll hold my hand and know I’m not alone. We shall have the world to keep, Such a lovely world we'll weep. We shall have the world forever for our own!
Fly Me to the Moon (In Other Words) Bart Howard Fly me to the moon Let me play among the stars Let me see what spring is like on Jupiter and Mars In other words, hold my hand In other words, baby, kiss me Fill my heart with song And let me sing forevermore You are all I long for All I worship and adore In other words, please be true In other words, I love you
Stranger in Paradise Robert Wright, George Forrest Take my hand, I'm a stranger in paradise, All lost in a wonderland, A stranger in paradise. If I stand starry-eyed, That's a danger in paradise For mortals who stand beside An angel like you. I saw her face And I ascended Out of the commonplace Into the rare! Somewhere in space I hang suspended Until I know There's a chance that she cares; Won't you answer the fervent prayer Of a stranger in paradise? Don't send me in dark despair From all that I hunger for, But open your angel's arms To the stranger in paradise And tell me that I need be A stranger no more. Somewhere That's Green Howard Ashman I know Seymour's the greatest, But I'm dating a semi-sadist. So I got a black eye And my arm's in a cast. Still, that Seymour's a cutie. Well, if not, he's got inner beauty, And I dream of a place Where we could be together at last. A matchbox of our own. A fence of real chain link, A grill out on the patio, Disposal in the sink, A washer and a dryer and an ironing machine, In a tract house that we share Somewhere that's green. He rakes and trims the grass. He loves to mow and weed. I cook like Betty Crocker, And I look like Donna Reed. There's plastic on the furniture To keep it neat and clean In the Pine-Sol scented air, Somewhere that's green
Between our frozen dinner And our bedtime, nine-fifteen, We snuggle watching Lucy On our big, enormous twelve-inch screen. I'm his December Bride, He's Father, he Knows Best. Our kids watch Howdy Doody As the sun sets in the west; A picture out of Better Homes and Gardens magazine. Far from Skid Row, I dream we'll go somewhere that's green. Warm as the Autumn Light John Latouche Warm the autumn light, soft as a pool at night, the sound of your singing, the sound of your singing Baby Doe. And while I was listening, I was recalling things that once I had wanted so much and forgotten as years slipped away. A girl I knew back home in Vermont the sea in New Hampshire, the first sight of the mountains. They say I've been lucky, there's nothing my money won't buy. It couldn't be I was unhappy, or was missing the good things of life. But only tonight came again in your singing that feeling of wonder, of longing and pain. Deep in your lovely eyes, all of enchantment lies, and tenderly beckons. Baby Doe! Dearest Baby Doe! V'adoro, pupille Nicola Francesco Haym V'adoro, pupille, saette d'amore, le vostre faville son grate nel sen.
I adore you, eyes, darts of love; your sparks are welcome in my breast.
Pietose vi brama il mesto mio core, ch'ogn'ora vi chiama l'amato suo ben.
Pitifully craves you my sad heart, who calls you every hour my dearly beloved.
Arise and Shine for Our America Hannah Flagg Gould, K. Dunninger
I Dream a Word Langston Hughes
Arise and shine for our America! Dear is our liberty, For great is the price that bought her; And dear the memory Of those who nobly sought her!
I dream a world where man no other man will scorn, where love will bless the earth and peace its paths adorn. I dream a world where all will know sweet freedom's way, where greed no longer saps the soul nor avarice blights our day. A world I dream where black or white, whatever race you be, will share the bounties of the earth and every man is free, where wretchedness will hang its head and joy, sweet joy, just like a pearl, attends the needs of all mankind Of such I dream, my world!
Arise and shine for our America! When war awoke with din and smoke, By numerous foes surrounded; With battered life they braved the strife, In death their arms were grounded! Arise and shine for our America! How blessed the memory Of those, who stood defying The foes of Liberty, And breathed her name in dying! My patriot’s legacy of courage For our new nation. I am indebted to his bravery And lineage he gave me. Arise and shine for our home, America! For Everyone Born Shirley Erena Murray For everyone born, a place at the table, for everyone born, clean water and bread, a shelter, a space, a safe place for growing, for everyone born, a star overhead, And God will delight when we are creators of justice and joy, compassion and peace: yes, God will delight when we are creators of justice, justice and joy! For young and for old, a place at the table, a voice to be heard, a part in the song, the hands of a child in hands that are wrinkled, for young and for old, the right to belong. For everyone born, a place at the table, to live without fear, and simply to be, to work, to speak out, to witness and worship, for everyone born, the right to be free.
How Can I Keep from Singing? Robert Lowry My life flows on in endless song; Above earth's lamentations. I hear the real, though far-off hymn That hails a new creation. Through all the tumult and the strife I hear its music ringing; It sounds an echo in my soul; How can I keep from singing? While though the tempest loudly roars, I hear the truth, it liveth. And though the darkness round me close, Songs in the night it giveth. No storm can shake my inmost calm While to that rock I’m clinging. Since love is lord of heaven and earth, How can I keep from singing? When tyrants tremble sick with fear, And hear their death knell ringing, When friends rejoice both far and near, How can I keep from singing? In prison cells and dungeon vile, Our thoughts to them are winging, When friends by shame are undefiled, How can I keep from singing?
_______________________________________________________ Special thanks to generous sponsors and major donors
Judith Fredericksen, Keith & Sue Ferguson
JOEL M. RINSEMA, MANAGING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Joel M. Rinsema joined Kantorei in 2014, becoming the second conductor in its history. During his tenure, Kantorei has experienced tremendous growth of its audiences, nearly tripled its budget size, and launched an ambitious recording strategy. A frequent collaborator and champion of new works for chorus, Joel has commissioned and premiered work of many of today’s leading composers including Kim André Arnesen, Mason Bates, René Clausen, Ola Gjeilo, Jocelyn Hagen, Mark Hayes, Cecilia McDowall, David Montoya, Sarah Quartel, Jake Runestad and Eric Whitacre. In the summer of 2018, Joel conducted the Central American premiere of Ola Gjeilo’s “Dreamweaver” in Guatemala City and Antigua, Guatemala with Capella Cantorum de Guatemala. Joel is a passionate advocate for the professional choral art form, and he frequently consults with other choral arts organizations around the country. Because of his leadership in his field, he received the Louis Botto Award for “Innovative Action and Entrepreneurial Zeal” from Chorus America, the industry’s advocacy, research, and leadership development organization for choruses, choral leaders, and singers. Joel is also the Director of Music and Technology in Worship at First Plymouth Congregational Church in Cherry Hills Village, Colorado and served as the North American Choral Promotion Manager for Oxford University Press based in Oxford, England (2017 - 2020). He holds music degrees from Arizona State and Whitworth Universities and is a member of the Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (Grammys), American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) and Colorado Music Educators Association (CMEA). Joel came to Kantorei from the Grammy Award-winning Phoenix Chorale. Throughout his 23-year tenure with the Phoenix Chorale, he served in nearly every capacity with the organization including his last 15 years as President & CEO and Assistant Conductor. He negotiated an ongoing recording contract with the prestigious U.K.-based Chandos Records, and Phoenix Chorale recordings earned a total of eight Grammy nominations and two Grammy wins during his tenure. Joel appears on all of the Phoenix Chorale recordings and was a soloist on the Grammy Award-winning “Spotless Rose: Hymn to the Virgin Mary.” In addition to his work with the Phoenix Chorale, Joel served as the Director of Music at Church of the Beatitudes United Church of Christ in Phoenix for 15 years, and was the founding chorus master of the Arizona Musicfest Chorus. ____________________________________________________________________________________
OUR STAFF Sarah Harrison, Assistant Conductor Alicia Rigsby, Accompanist & Collaborative Pianist Sara Michael, Business Manager
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS Jennifer Moore, President Leslie Britton, Vice President Matt Gierke, Treasurer Melissa Menter, Secretary & Development Committee Chair At Large: Judy Bloomberg Schenkein Keith Ferguson J. Scott Pusey