The Love of Music

Program Notes

Mass in B minor “Qui sedes ad dextram Patris” , “Et in unum dominum” by Johann Sebastian Bach

Johann Sebastian Bach was born March 21, 1685, in what is now Germany where he had a focus on composing and performing keyboard and sacred music. Hundreds of his compositions, such as his church cantatas, were created for a religious context but he also composed an enormous amount of instrumental music as well. The text “Qui sedes ad dexteram Patris”, the final prayer for mercy in the Gloria text, is set by Bach in an aria for alto voice accompanied by a solo oboe and strings from his Mass in B minor The duet "Et in unum Dominum" (And in one Lord, Jesus Christ) in J S Bach's Mass in B Minor uses musical symbolism to convey the mystic unity of the Father and Son. After the death of Augustus II on February 1st 1733 all public music-making was suspended Bach was determined to use this extra free time to write a Missa (Mass) with the liturgy sung in latin. He aimed to hopefully take the title of court composer with the early copy he had written Even though Bach wrote mainly for Lutheran services he was committed to gaining this role as court composer and wrote the mass in the form of a Catholic service. He eventually got his title and the composition was completed in 1749, the year before Bach's death

Qui sedes ad dextram Patris

Qui sedes ad dextram Patris, miserere nobis

Et in unum dominum

Et in unum Dominum Jesum Christum, Filium Dei unigenitum, et ex Patre natum ante omnia saecula, 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.

Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father have mercy upon us.

And in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, begotten of his Father before all worlds, God of God, light of light, true God of true God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made

Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven.

Frauenliebe und Leben “Woman’s Love and Life” by Robert Schumann

Robert Schumann was a German composer, pianist, and influential music critic He is commonly described as one of the greatest composers of the Romantic era. R. Schumann left the study of law, intending to pursue a career as a very skilled pianist These three pieces are from the song cycle Frauenliebe und Leben (A Woman's Love and Life) is a song cycle that depicts a woman's love life from her perspective, from first meeting to marriage and the death of her beloved “Seit ich ihn gesehen” (“Since I Saw Him”) tells the story of a young woman's first encounter with her true love, but particularly in “Er, der Herrlichste von Allen” (“He, the most wonderful of all”), I feel that R Schuman wanted to capture the experience of having a very strong infatuation on someone. The point of view from the performer is very praiseful towards the person they are interested in, yet midway through the piece they realize that even if they don’t end up as that person's love interest, she can't help but still be happy and joyous for them “Du Ring an meinem Finger” (“You ring on my finger”) is the fourth song within and portrays a young woman who gets engaged and the meaning can be analyzed in a few ways. During 1840 Schuman was writing many cycles and his choice of text is likely to be inspired by events in his personal life He had been courting Clara Weick but had failed to get her father’s permission to marry her Around the same time after a legal battle he was finally able to marry her.

Seit ich ihn gesehen

Seit ich ihn gesehen,

Glaub ich blind zu sein; Wo ich hin nur blicke, Seh ich ihn allein; Wie im wachen Traume

Schwebt sein Bild mir vor, Taucht aus tiefstem Dunkel, Heller nur empor

Sonst ist licht- und farblos

Alles um mich her,

Nach der Schwestern Spiele

Nicht begehr ich mehr,

Möchte lieber weinen, Still im Kämmerlein; Seit ich ihn gesehen, Glaub ich blind zu sein.

Since first seeing him, I think I am blind, Wherever I look, Him only I see; As in a waking dream His image hovers before me, Rising out of deepest darkness Ever more brightly. All else is dark and pale Around me, My sisters’ games I no more long to share, I would rather weep Quietly in my room; Since first seeing him, I think I am blind.

Er, der Herrlichste von allen

Er, der Herrlichste von allen, Wie so milde, wie so gut!

Holde Lippen, klares Auge, Heller Sinn und fester Mut. So wie dort in blauer Tiefe, Hell und herrlich, jener Stern, Also er an meinem Himmel, Hell und herrlich, hehr und fern. Wandle, wandle deine Bahnen; Nur betrachten deinen Schein, Nur in Demut ihn betrachten, Selig nur und traurig sein!

Höre nicht mein stilles Beten, Deinem Glücke nur geweiht; Darfst mich niedre Magd nicht kennen, Hoher Stern der Herrlichkeit! Nur die Würdigste von allen Darf beglücken deine Wahl, Und ich will die Hohe segnen, Viele tausendmal. Will mich freuen dann und weinen, Selig, selig bin ich dann; Sollte mir das Herz auch brechen, Brich, o Herz, was liegt daran?

Du Ring an meinem Finger

Du Ring an meinem Finger, Mein goldenes Ringelein, Ich drücke dich fromm an die Lippen, Dich fromm an das Herze mein. Ich hatt ihn ausgeträumet, Der Kindheit friedlich schönen Traum, Ich fand allein mich, verloren Im öden, unendlichen Raum.

Du Ring an meinem Finger

Da hast du mich erst belehrt, Hast meinem Blick erschlossen

Des Lebens unendlichen, tiefen Wert.

Ich will ihm dienen, ihm leben, Ihm angehören ganz, Hin selber mich geben und finden

Verklärt mich in seinem Glanz.

Du Ring an meinem Finger, Mein goldenes Ringelein, Ich drücke dich fromm an die Lippen, Dich fromm an das Herze mein.

He, the most wonderful of all, How gentle and loving he is!

Sweet lips, bright eyes, A clear mind and firm resolve. Just as there in the deep-blue distance That star gleams bright and brilliant, So does he shine in my sky, Bright and brilliant, distant and sublime. Wander, wander on your way, Just to gaze on your radiance, Just to gaze on in humility, To be but blissful and sad!

Do not heed my silent prayer, Uttered for your happiness alone, You shall never know me, lowly as I am, You noble star of splendor! Only the worthiest woman of all May your choice elate, And I shall bless that exalted one Many thousands of times. Then shall I rejoice and weep, Blissful, blissful shall I be, Even if my heart should break, Break, O heart, what does it matter?

You ring on my finger, My golden little ring, I press you devoutly to my lips, To my heart.

I had finished dreaming

Childhood’s peaceful dream, I found myself alone, forlorn

In boundless desolation.

You ring on my finger, You first taught me, Opened my eyes

To life’s deep eternal worth. I shall serve him, live for him, Belong to him wholly, Yield to him and find

Myself transfigured in his light.

You ring on my finger, My golden little ring, I press you devoutly to my lips, To my heart.

Lied der Mignon from Gesänge aus Wilhelm Meister by Franz Schubert

Franz Schubert (1797-1828) was a composer of the late Classical and early Romantic musical era. During Schubert's short lifetime he left behind over 600 vocal works, 7 symphonies, and an abundance of piano and chamber music. Schubert composed "Lied der Mignon," (Mignon's song) the fourth song in the 4 Gesänge aus 'Wilhelm Meister' (Four songs of 'Wilhelm Meister') in 1826 to Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's (1749-1832) poetry. In this piece the character Mignon speaks about her emotions of longing for the Harper she so wishes to be in love with It has also been inferred that Schubert heavily identified and related with Mignon's situation and the way her sufferings, like his, were private ones which were most likely kept unshared

Nur wer die Sehnsucht kennt

Weiss, was ich leide!

Allein und abgetrennt

Von aller Freude,

Seh’ ich an’s Firmament

Nach jener Seite

Ach! der mich liebt und kennt

Ist in der Weite.

Es schwindelt mir, es brennt

Mein Eingeweide

Nur wer die Sehnsucht kennt

Weiss, was ich leide!

Only he who knows longing knows what I suffer. Alone, cut off from all joy, I gaze at the firmament in that direction Ah, he who loves and knows me is far away I feel giddy, my vitals are aflame. Only he who knows longing knows what I suffer

Amarilli mia bella by Giulio Caccini

Giulio Romolo Caccini was an Italian composer, teacher, singer, instrumentalist and writer of the late Renaissance and early Baroque eras He was one of the founders of the genre of opera, and one of the most influential creators of the new Baroque style. This piece is based on the Greek myth of Amaryllis who, picking flowers on a mountainside, falls in love with the shepherd Alteus. This is a love song where the performer or singer is in love with Amarilli and is expressing their love by assuring her she is the only one. Amaryllis follows the Oracle's advice and pierces her breast each night on Alteus's doorstep, calling his name

Amarilli, mia bella, Non credi, o del mio cor dolce desio, D'esser tu l'amor mio? Credilo pur: e se timor t'assale, Dubitar non ti vale. Aprimi il petto e vedrai scritto in core: Amarilli, Amarilli, Amarilli è il mio amore

Amaryllis, my lovely one, do you not believe, o my heart's sweet desire, That you are my love? Believe it thus: and if fear assails you, Doubt not its truth. Open my breast and see written on my heart: Amaryllis, Amaryllis, Amaryllis, Is my beloved

“Cruda sorte” L’Italiana in Algeri

by Gioacchino Rossini

Gioacchino Rossini (1792-1868) was an Italian composer who was well known for his 39 operas

along with many other works with chamber music, piano pieces, and some sacred music In 1813 Rossini wrote L’italiana in Algeri, which is an operatic rescue drama in two acts to the Italian libretto by Angelo Anelli. Typically a rescue drama involves a damsel in distress who is captured and faces many challenges, who is then saved by her heroic lover, yet in this situation the tables are turned. “Cruda sorte” is a aria from L’italiana in Algeri and is sung by Isabella in the opera. Isabella had come to Algeria to find her love, Lindoro but she had been in a shipwreck with Algerian pirates She is torn that she won't be able to find her Lindoro, however she quickly realizes that the pirates are only men and they will be easily distracted by her looks which will help her escape this danger she is in.

Cruda sorte! Amor tiranno!

Questo è il premio di mia fe'?

Non v'è orror, terror nè affanno

Pari a quel ch'io provo in me.

Per te solo, oh mio Lindoro, Io mi trovo in tal periglio!

Da chi spero, oh Dio, consiglio?

Chi conforto mi darà?

Qua ci vuol disinvoltura,

Non più smanie nè paura:

Di coraggio è tempo adesso,

Or chi sono si vedrà!

Già so, per pratica,

Qual sia l'effetto

D'un sguardo languido,

D'un sospiretto...

So a domar gli uomini; Come si fa!

Sian dolci o ruvidi,

Sian flemma o foco, Son tutti simili a presso a poco

Tutti la chiedono, Tutti la bramano:

Da vaga femmina Felicità!

Harsh fate! Tyrannical love!

Is this the reward for my faithfulness?

There's no horror, terror nor struggle

Similar to that which I experience in me.

Only because of you, oh my dear Lindoro, I find myself in so much danger!

From who should I expect, oh Lord, advice? Who shall comfort me?

Here one wants peacefulness, Neither agitation nor fear, anymore: Now it's the time for courage, Now they will see who I am! I already know, due to practice, What is the effect

Of an intense stare, Of a little sigh... I know how to tame men; I know who it's done!

Whether they're sweet or rough, Whether they're phlegmatic or passionate, They're all similar, More or less

They all ask for it, They all crave it:

From a mysterious woman Happiness!

chanson d'Ève, Op. 95 by

Gabriel Fauré, poet Charles van Lerberghe

In 1904 Charles van Lerberghe published 96 poems, La chanson d’Eve (The Song of Eve) which were poems that imagined the way Eve would be coming to life in the Garden of Eden without Adam The poems were meant to show the human meanings to nature’s creations. Lerberghe had used gardens outside of Florence and had grabbed the attention of Gabriel Faure who was also fond of gardens. Faure began writing his song cycle using the poems Lerberghe wrote and reduced them into 10 songs between 1906 and 1910. The cycle itself encapsulates the narration of Eve herself as she comes to life in the Garden of Eden. “Prima verba” (First words) is the second song, where Eve is realizing the impact of being able to describe the views of nature she sees all around her with her own voice She sees that her first words bring nature to life as she is also a representation of all creation within this world “L’aube blanche” encapsulates being caught within the beauty of the many things that surround us in life, from the sun to the breezes, and plants. “O mort, poussière d'étoiles” translates to "O death, dust of stars". The line brings the idea of death into the song as all things in life have an ending regardless of their beauty and purpose.

Prima verba

Comme elle chante

Dans ma voix,

L’âme longtemps murmurante

Des fontaines et des bois!

Air limpide du paradis, Avec tes grappes de rubis, Avec tes gerbes de lumière, Avec tes roses et tes fruits; Quelle merveille en nous à cette heure!

Des paroles depuis des âges endormies

En des sons, en des fleurs,

Sur mes lèvres enfin prennent vie.

Depuis que mon souffle a dit leur chanson,

Depuis que ma voix les a créées, Quel silence heureux et profond

Naît de leurs âmes allégées!

How it sings

In my voice,

The constantly murmuring soul

Of the springs and woods!

Clear air of paradise

With your ruby grape-clusters,

With your sheafs of light,

With your roses and your fruits;

How we marvel at such a moment!

Words that had slumbered for eons

Finally come to life on my lips

As sounds, as flowers.

Since my breath uttered their song,

Since my voice created them, What deep and blissful silence

Is born from their unburdened souls!

L'aube blanche

L’aube blanche dit à mon rêve:

Éveille-toi, le soleil luit

Mon âme écoute, et je soulève

Un peu mes paupières vers lui

Un rayon de lumière touche

La pâle fleur de mes yeux bleus; Une flamme éveille ma bouche, Un souffle éveille mes cheveux

Et mon âme, comme une rose

Tremblante, lente, tout le jour, S’éveille à la beauté des choses, Comme mon cœur à leur amour

Ô mort, poussière d'étoiles

Ô mort, poussière d’étoiles, Lève-toi sous mes pas!

Viens, ô douce vague qui brille Dans les ténèbres; Emporte-moi dans ton néant!

Viens, souffle sombre où je vacille, Comme une flamme ivre de vent!

C’est en toi que je veux m’étendre, M’éteindre et me dissoudre, Mort, où mon âme aspire!

Viens, brise-moi comme une fleur d’écume

Une fleur de soleil à la cime

Des eaux,

Et comme d’une amphore d’or

Un vin de flamme et d’arome divin, Épanche mon âme

En ton abîme, pour qu’elle embaume

La terre sombre et le souffle des morts

The white dawn says to my dream:

Awake, the sun is shining

My soul listens, and I raise

My eyes a little towards it

A ray of light touches

The pale flower of my blue eyes;

A flame awakens my mouth, A breeze awakens my hair

And my soul, like a rose

That is trembling and listless all day, Awakens to the beauty of things,

As my heart awakens to their love

O death, starry dust, Rise up where I tread!

Come, gentle wave that shines In the darkness: Bear me off into your void!

Come, dark sigh in which I tremble, Like a wind-intoxicated flame!

It is in you that I wish to be absorbed, To be extinguished and dissolved, Death, to which my soul aspires!

Come, break me like a flower of foam,

A speck of sun in the crest Of the waves,

And like a golden amphora’s Flaming wine of heavenly fragrance, Pour my soul

Into your abyss, that it might perfume

The dark earth and the breath of the dead

Hermit Songs, Op 29,The Monk and His Cat by Samuel Barber

Samuel Barber (1910-1981) was an American composer who is considered one of the most expressive representatives of the lyric and Romantic trends in 20th-century classical music. He was a pianist, conductor and music educator. Samuel Barber's Hermit Songs, based on side notes written on the margins of medieval manuscripts by Irish monks, specifically "The Monk and His Cat" is a retelling of the Irish poem "Pangur Bán". The piece highlights companionship and the pursuit of knowledge. It shows how the monk and the cat can be absorbed in their own work, but not bother each other.

Pangur, white Pangur, How happy we are Alone together, Scholar and cat

Each has his own work to do daily; For you it is hunting, for me, study Your shining eye watches the wall;

My feeble eye is fixed on a book. You rejoice when your claws entrap a mouse; I rejoice when my mind fathoms a problem

Pleased with his own art Neither hinders the other; Thus we live ever Without tedium and envy.

Pangur, white Pangur, How happy we are, Alone together, Scholar and cat.

Come Ready and See Me by Richard

Hundley

Richard Albert Hundley was an American pianist and composer of art songs for voice and piano

Richard Hundley focused his compositional career primarily on the art song. He has expressed and stated that his primary goal is to musically reveal, "how I feel about the words A song is like a short story, and from the first notes played by the piano I am telling the listener how I feel about the text." In this piece the poetry was written by James Purdy in 1968 and Hundley wants to convey how relatable these emotions are, as we've all felt this way. There's no inherent judgment of these feelings because the music is showing what's in the singer's heart in terms of love It's a reflection from within, and expresses how a woman has met a man who has stolen her heart, and is the kind of person that she will carry a “candle” for for the rest of her life, the candle representing time She is willing to wait for him, until she isn't or as the candle runs out.

Come ready and see me, No matter how late

Come before the years run out, I'm waiting with a candle No wind will blow out, But you must haste On foot or by sky

For no one can wait forever Under the bluest sky I can't wait forever For the years are running out.

Letter To My 13 Year Old Self by Laufey

Laufey is an Icelandic singer-songwriter and has spent much of her childhood traveling between Reykjavík and Washington, DC, where she learned to speak English with barely a trace of an accent. Inspired in part by her mother, a classical violinist, she took up piano and cello early on, but it was her father’s collection of Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday albums that spoke to her on a deeper level In her song “Letter To My 13 Year Old Self” she expresses the struggles many people endure growing up through their teenage years and growing from those experiences My interpretation of this song represents the beginnings of my musical journey spanning from when I first started teaching myself how to play instruments and involving myself in the realm which is now my career path In many ways it is also a reflection of how far I’ve come and what I’ve accomplished from continuing with the love I have for music. (A few lyrics of the song have been changed in order to represent my connection to the song itself and my personal journey)

Don't you worry 'bout your wavy hair

Clothes that don't quite fit you anywhere

Voices echo in the gym

Another girl's had her first kiss

Please don't think too much of it, darling I'm so sorry that they pick you last

Try to find your middle name and laugh I know that you feel loud, so different from the crowd

Of big blue eyes, and long blonde hair, and boys that stare

But, baby, know that

You'll grow up

And grow so tough and charm them

Write your story, fall in love a little too

The things you thought you'd never do I wish I could go back and give her a squeeze

Myself at thirteen

And just let her know, know that she's beautiful

Keep on going with your silly dream

Life is prettier than it may seem

One day, you'll be up on stage

All your friends will scream your name

The days of tears and failure fears

And no one cares

Will all make sense, 'cause

You'll grow up

And grow so confident, and

Write your story, fall in love a little too

The things you thought you'd never do

I wish I could go back and give her a squeeze

Myself at thirteen

And just let her know, know that she's beautiful

Professor Crystal Jarrell Johnson

It has been such a pleasure to have the opportunity to learn from such a caring, loving, and compassionate voice teacher Not only has this journey had highs, it also had lots of lows and you worked with me through all of them. I love that we were able to bond so quickly over Bach and how much of an inspiration you became for me. I vividly remember being a freshman during the horrid masked era of seminars and you were able to allow me and many others to feel like we had a safe space to truly hone in on our vocal progress and exploration Thank you for everything you have done in order to challenge me and help me grow as a singer, as well as teaching me very many life lessons and tools to use moving forward after undergrad. I have enjoyed every second of our time during lessons and will miss them tremendously, thank you so much for everything

Dr Yoojin Muhn

The first time I gained the courage to talk to you, I was preparing to audition for area at the UTSA Area Clinic in December of 2019 Ever since being in the presence of your immense amount of passion for choral music and the students you have the opportunity to teach, my love for this field grows more and more every time You are one of many role models I have looked up to as an educator as well as a human being. You strive to be your best no matter what the circumstance is, and for me you are always someone I know will brighten my day I cannot thank you enough for the amount of opportunities you’ve given me to explore my passion for conducting and giving me so much of your support. I am going to miss being able to see you everyday and being able to learn from you. Thank you for being my teacher, mentor, and huge supporter through this journey.

Dr Jordan Boyd

You are such an amazing human being, and the fact that I was able to learn so much from you even within the few semesters I spent with you has been such a great time You have been a huge supporter through my conducting experiences and have also given me opportunities to hone the craft of waving our crazy arms in front of ensembles. I have enjoyed being able to truly create a connection and learn from a mentor I know I can come to for advice and of course for any choral catalog questions. Thank you for your immense support within such a short time.

Anna Hakobyan

Huge thank you to your collaboration and flexibility through these last few semesters Your musicianship and skillful talent has given me such a different perspective when learning music, without your guidance I would not have been able to have the opportunity and privilege to perform Thank you for being my pianist and for being such a great musician

Mom & Dad

You both have been my biggest supporters my entire life and constantly make the effort to attend any sort of event I have ever had during my musical journey Without you both I would not have been able to pursue this career It’s crazy to think I was once just a little girl dancing around to any sort of music you would put on never once thinking that I would be performing in front of so many audiences throughout the years. It has taken me a very long time to not shy away from the talents I’ve developed growing up, but because of you I am grateful to say that the support and care you have given me truly shows, and I love you both very much even if I might not say it very often you both mean the absolute world to me You both may not have been musicians but you both sure are music lovers and for that I will cherish forever. I thank you so much for bringing me into this world and allowing me to share this insane crazy journey with you

My Friends and Colleagues

To those who have seen me grow first hand and carried me through so many hardships throughout the years I cannot thank you all enough for supporting me even when I didn’t believe in myself There are so many people I would love to thank individually but I am sure you all know who you are Thank you for always picking me back up when I felt unmotivated, anxious, while also giving me courage to continue to push forward, and for truly being there for me at my lowest. The presence you have all given me is one of the greatest gifts I could ever ask for and I am extremely thankful to call you my friends Here’s to the memories we have made and the future ones I hope to have, thank you for being here

The Love of Music - Alyssa Moreno

AlyssaLoveMoreno

Program