02.07.2020 ENS Concert Choir

TRIALS AND CONSOLATION WCU Concert Choir David P. DeVenney, Director

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2020 MADELEINE WING ADLER THEATRE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER 7:30 PM

PROGRAM I The Lamentations of the Prophet Jeremiah ....................................................... Thomas Tallis (1505-1585) Part I Part II II Es ist ein Heil uns kommen her (Op. 29, No. 1) ......................................... Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) Be with Us ............................................................................................................... Egil Hovland (1924-2013) Aaron Hungerford, piano Soon Ah Will Be Done ..................................................................................... William Dawson (1899-1990)

Brief Intermission Totentanz (Dance of Death) .......................................................................................Hugo Distler (1908-1942) Dr. Christopher M. Fiorentino, Guest Artist (Death)

President, West Chester University President: Kyle Gombosi Bishop: Sarah Holderith Manager: Kevin Scheetz Doctor: Cassie Rumbough Merchant: Chase Sanders Soldier: Matthew Ebersole Sailor: Spencer Camacho Judge: Sergey Kravets Farmer: Caleb Deutsch Young Lady: Vittoria Rybak Old Man: Aaron Hungerford The Child: Nicole Faiola

West Chester University Concert Choir David P. DeVenney, director Please silence all cell phones and electronic devices.

PROGRAM NOTES Tallis’s career is spread across the reign of four successive monarchs through the most dangerous time of religious upheaval in England’s history. Tallis was closely associated with royal life, writing music to most perfectly match the liturgical requirements of those monarchs both Catholic and Protestant, and he survived to quite an old age of some 80 years before his death in 1585. The two sets of Lamentations are among the best known of Tallis’s compositions (along with the ubiquitous 40-part motet Spem in alium), though these are surely the most beloved by singers. The texts are taken from the liturgy for Holy Thursday and bewail the destruction of Jerusalem and its temple by the Babylonians. The people of Israel are called to remember its glory days and that all is now lain waste. Words from Hosea provide an epilogue asking the Church to “convert and return to the Lord your God” (used in nearly all settings of the Lamentations). The Lamentations are from the early days of Elizabeth’s reign who, while a Protestant, is known to have loved the Latin language and allowed some Latin to be sung in her private services.

One of the most prolific composers of choral music, and one of the most beloved, Johannes Brahms wrote several sets of motets that have never left the choral repertory. “Es ist das Heil” is from the earliest set of two works. It begins with a chorale setting of the title tune, followed by a set of chorale variations where the baritones sing the chorale theme, embellished by free polyphony in the other voices.

Egil Hovland was an important Norwegian composer from the middle of the twentieth century, whose works are still often performed today. His motet “Be ith Us” is a powerful statement of lament and despair, ending with an affirmation of faith. William Dawson’s many spirituals – mostly original works rather than arrangements of traditional tunes – are a staple of the repertory. “Soon Ah Will Be Done” captures the drudgery of enslaved life, ending with the powerful hope of a better life in the hereafter.

Throughout the Middle Ages, the precariousness of human life was a reality that haunted daily existence. Death came from starvation, disease, and war. A common didactic theme in the art and theology of the time was the Dance of Death, where the figure of Death called persons from all walks of life to the grave. Hugo Distler has used a motet by the Renaissance composer Leonard Lechner on which to model his composition. The unaccompanied choir begins the work by commenting that it is man’s choice whether or not he follows God’s will. Death then address all present: “Blest be those who vowed in time to lead a righteous life, who freed themselves of all their sins. Today my flute bids all to dance!” The choir comments now (in the way of a Greek chorus) on each of the characters that are called to the dance. These aphorisms (concise statements concerning Christian sentiment) belong always to the coming dialogue. They provide moral commentary about human weakness, frailty, and temptation. Finally, after a child has been called to God, Death asks the listeners: “Who now will turn to God?” The life and work of Hugo Distler reflect the social climate of the first half of the twentieth century. Dister was only six years old when the First World War broke out. Following that, death and deprivations prevailed in Germany for years. Even in 1931, when Distler receive his first position as organist at St. Mary’s Church in Lubeck (from whose stained glass windows these Totentanz verses were taken), Germany was still torn by political and economic upheavals.

These led eventually to the rise of Hitler and the atrocities of the Third Reich. Distler died as its victim in 1942, possibly by his own hand. He left behind a large body of choral works, many of which reflect the influence of the early Baroque composer Heinrich Schütz. Totentanz was written in 1934.

TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS Lamentations of the Prophet Jeremiah

I How doth the city sit solitary, that was full of people! how is she become as a widow! she that was great among the nations, and princess among the provinces, how is she become tributary! She weepeth sore in the night, and her tears are on her cheeks: among all her lovers she hath none to comfort her: all her friends have dealt treacherously with her, they are become her enemies.

Jerusalem, Jerusalem, return unto the Lord thy God. II Judah is gone into captivity because of affliction, and because of great servitude: she dwelleth among the heathen, she findeth no rest: all her persecutors overtook her between the straits. The ways of Zion do mourn, because none come to the solemn feasts: all her gates are desolate: her priests sigh, her virgins are afflicted, and she is in bitterness. Her adversaries are the chief, her enemies prosper; for the Lord hath afflicted her for the multitude of her transgressions: her children are gone into captivity before the enemy. Jerusalem, Jerusalem, return unto the Lord thy God.

Es ist das Heil uns kommen her

Salvation has come to us from grace and sheer kindness. Works never help, they cannot protect us.

Faith looks towards Jesus Christ, who has done enough for all of us. He has become our Mediator.

Be with Us

Be with us: the day is o’er and evening comes.

I cried upon the Lord in my need, and my prayers be heard.

I cried from the depths of hell and you heard my cry.

For you had cast me into the sea, floods did compass me about.

All your billows, all your waves, they passed over me.

I then said: from you I far am cast: never more shall I see your holy temple!

Water compassed me about; even to my soul, death closed ‘round me.

Weeds wrapped about my head, to mountain floors I went down.

With her bars the earth was about me forever.

Yet Thou hadst brought up my life, O Lord from the grave.

When my soul fainted, I remembered the Lord.

And my prayers came in unto Thee, to thine holy temple.

They that practiced lying vanities forsake their mercy.

But I will sacrifice unto Thee with songs of thanksgiving.

This have I promised. Salvation is of the Lord. Be with us…

Dance of Death (illustrations from Hans Holbein’s Totentanz, 1523-5)

Choir: Leave all this, that you own, so that you may win more!

Renounce your sins, that you may thousand fold receive.

In God we find our light, but sin locks us in night. God asks us to decide.

Blest be the man who weighs this choice!

Death: Join the dance, close the ranks! All of you: President, bishop, city-man, farmer; rich or poor, great or small, come and join and no lamenting!

Blest be those who vowed in time to lead a righteous life, who freed themselves of all their sins.

Today my flute bids all to dance!

Choir: Man, this world’s beauteous form will fade away in time.

Why then depend so much of passing joys?

Man, this world’s beauteous form will pass away in time.

President: O Death, your sudden appearance freezes the marrow in my bones.

In vain did my associates respect my rand and honor me.

Shall I, without mercy, now be stripped of all prestige and fame?

Of me, the people’s head and shield, you make now food for worms.

Death: Mr. President, since you were highest here, you may dance first now, next to me.

Yours was the sword of righteousness, to judge in war, to help in need.

But lust for fame has made you blind.

You did not see your own great sin.

Therefore my call weighs down your mind.

Stop, bishop, and begin the dance!

Choir: If you expect to share eternal life with God, then let your love of self grow less in prominence.

Bishop: O dearest Sir, where should I go?

Where could I still escape you?

I search in front and glance behind yet you are always near me.

Do you disclaim my pious rank?

Must I forsake all my prestige?

Must I depart right here and now without memorial to my name?

Death: Better than others should you know that all men have to die.

You stood on earth in rank so close to God’s most holy apostles.

But haughty, insolent and vain you played the high and mighty.

Now all your pride has changed to fear.

Manager, give me your hand!

Choir: O sinner, if you would recognize how time flies soon, and then eternity! you would no evil do!

Manager: Death, I implore you, please do stop and let me catch my breath.

I poorly spent my time on earth, thought little about dying.

I gorged myself on food and drink,

harassed and plagued those under me.

Now I must go, against my will.

Where is my destination?

Death: If you had used your wealth to make the poor your advocate, you would feel better.

But who could dare to speak to you of pain or need, great man in charge?

You knew quite well your lease on earth.

But, for my coming unprepared, you are now troubled and distressed.

Come, doctor, join the ranks!

Choir: Your great friend, your body, it is your fiercest foe, it binds and hinders you.

Your greatest friend, it leads you far astray.

Doctor: I have been your opponent long, helped many to ward you off when sickness caused him fear and pain.

But since you come to me now, Death, no art nor medicine will help.

It’s useless now to check my pulse, for you shall view my failings all.

What judgment will I find?

Death: A righteous judgment shall you find, According to your deeds on earth, which are all manifest to God. You were impatient with the sick and overcharged the helpless poor.

You sold your skills and knowledge high and made a show of your great learning.

Merchant, make hast, prepare yourself!

Choir: The rich man of this world, What does he truly gain, since he with death and loss must leave his wealth behind.

Merchant: How shall I be prepared for you?

My time was spent to raise my wealthi in buildings, storerooms full of stock.

My goods were shipped on boats and trucks.

I handled many such trips myself, but none had seemed as tough as this.

If I could justly square my bill, you would not frighten me so much.

Death: Who honestly conducts his trade, and never charges more than due,

can hope for justice without fail when the eternal judge shall call.

If you avoided fraud and cheating, your balance sheet shall soon be cleared, and nothing will have to be added.

Attention, soldier! I’m waiting for you!

Choir: Friend, fighting is not enough.

You must fight for a just cause.

In God you shall find rest and find your peace forever.

Soldier: Death, are you calling me now?

I know, I menaced others while fighting during the war; But I didn’t choose this bloodshed.

Won’t someone here defend me?

I beg you, Death, please let me live!

Give me some time to serve my Lord whom I forgot in all my strife.

Death: Come on, step up, no use complaining.

You have to face this by yourself.

I know that God will judge you fairly.

Your life shall witness without fail what good you did and what was wrong; God will decide accordingly, and no one else can help you.

Sailor, your time has just expired Choir: The world is your deep sea, the pilot is God’s word, you are the boat.

Your soul is what shall travel home.

Sailor: I don’t quite know, Death, how it happened.

I often faced you close at hand.

But after I had safely landed, all good intentions were forgotten.

I was seduced and led astray by the old Adam in myself.

I stand now guilty and ashamed.

Help me, O Lord, and give me strength!

Death: O, had you only tried from youth to keep God’s word as beacon light, and eagerly obeyed his laws, you would not have to be so sorry.

You often saw your death at hand.

Now your repentance comes too late.

Haul in your sails and leave your ship.

Come, worthy judge, and follow me.

Choir: The pure celestial light shines forth during your lifetime, for those men who dare to seek it in the darkness.

Judge: Dying should cause me little pain if I were honestly prepared and if my conscience were all clear.

But I was often plagued with doubt and by temptations weighted down.

O Lord, do free me of my sins which I confess and much regret.

Be gracious unto me this hour.

Death: Joyfully come and join our dance.

In heaven you shall rise again.

From work as you performed on earth the soul grows wings and soars on high.

Many could learn from your example and never need to have regrets.

You know how badly some are faring!

Step in now, farmer, dance with us!

Choir: Friend, if in yonder world you hope for roses blooming, then you must here on earth the thorns’ discomfort suffer.

Farmer: I am unskilled, not used to dancing, for all my life I did hard work.

I ploughed and toiled, worked day and night, and always tried, with care and pain, how I could make the fields give fruit, to yield a harvest, grow our bread.

I worried how to pay my rent, and did not think much about you.

Death: When I examine all your toils, I think that God will not reject you.

You took good care of all your crops, here in your fields, and up in heaven God shall reward you for your pains and call you to his life eternal.

You have no need to be afraid.

Young Lady, now I wish to woo you!

Choir: Arise, arise, the bridegroom comes!

You will not go with him if you are not prepared to meet him instantly.

Young Lady: If I could just refuse you, Death, and live some more, young, pretty, gay.

I hardly had a taste of pleasure.

Ill-timed, unwanted is your coming.

Shame, Death, on you that you deceived me and caught me helpless in your net.

Please let me taste earth’s happiness!

I shall be pious when I’m old.

Death: I come at night, just like a thief.

That suits me well, that is my job.

Be well prepared, though you are young.

Be not deceived by worldly lures.

No one can stay on earth forever.

You’d soon grow weary of life’s pleasures.

Thus come and willingly join in.

Rise from your bed, old man, and walk!

Choir: Man, when your tedious load becomes too hard for you, then turn yourself to God and his eternity.

Old Man: O death, how I have waited for you!

Too long has been my pilgrimage.

Could you not find this poor old man?

Sickness metes out harsh punishment.

The world entices me no more.

May God forgive me where I erred and grant to me eternal life.

Death: Come on, old man, give me your hand, I lead you to another land.

You shall forget your suffering soon when coming to God’s dwelling place.

Celestial music of the spheres shall fill you with great happiness.

Discord shall end in harmony.

Come, little child, and follow us!

Choir: The soul which on earth is smaller yet than small, shall in the realm of God the fairest angel be.

The Child: O, Death, I do not understand!

You tell me to dance – I can hardly walk!

Why do you come and order me To die, before I ever lived?

To leave, when I have just arrived?

I am so little, why take me?

See, how my parents weep for me!

O, give me back my life!

Death: God knows, why he sends me to call And whom he summons, young or old.

God knows, why he lets short or long The good, the bad live here on earth.

I play you peace, I play you pain, I play you into His own house.

I play so loud that all must hear.

Who will now turn himself to God? Choir: The soul, since it is born for eternity, finds never truly peace in worldly goods and gains.

Thus it’s astonishing, you love this passing show, and put your faith and trust in frail mortality.

Acknowledgments Dr. Christopher M. Fiorentino President, West Chester University for his time and willingness to assist with this performance Dr. Christopher Hanning Dean, Wells School of Music for his assistance arranging Dr. Fiorentino’s appearance Dr. Emily Bullock Director, WCU Opera Theatre for her help with costuming

West Chester University Concert Choir David P. DeVenney, director Isabella G. Bennett Adella C. Brady Spencer R. Camacho, vice president, tenor section leader Emily E. Caplan Andrew C. Cassell Ilyana M. Correa Richard J. Cross Caleb M. Deutsch Matthew L. Ebersole Nicole L. Faiola, secretary/treasurer Leanne Frist Kyle S. Gombosi Sarah D. Holderith Aaron P. Hungerford Shane R. Hurley Steven B. Kendikian Sergey Kravets Hajeong Lee, alto section leader Mateo C. Lopez Samuel A. Loposky, bass section leader Felicia MulĂŠ Julianna N. Perri Mateo E. Rodriguez Cassie L. Rumbough, president, soprano section leader Vittoria R. Rybak Chase H. Sanders Kevin D. Scheetz Strummer Steele Leetal C. Tusia Andrew R. Walls

UPCOMING WELLS SCHOOL OF MUSIC EVENTS For full event details visit wcupa.edu/music or call (610) 436-2739 Sunday, February 16, 2020, 3:00 PM Mastersingers Concert Ryan Kelly, director Madeleine Wing Adler Theatre Performing Arts Center Saturday, February 22, 2020, 7:00 PM Sound of the Carribbean at Uptown!

David Nelson & Marc Jacoby, directors Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center 226 N. High St., West Chester, PA Sunday, February 23, 2020, 3:00 PM Symphony Orchestra: Irving H. Cohen Memorial & Concerto Winners' Concert Joseph Caminiti, director Madeleine Wing Adler Theatre Performing Arts Center Monday, February 24, 2020, 7:30 PM Faculty Recital: Henry Grabb, oboe Philips Autograph Library Philips Memorial Building Thursday, February 27, 2020, 8:15 PM Chamber Winds & Concert Band Andrew Yozviak & Adam Gumble, directors Madeleine Wing Adler Theatre Performing Arts Center

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The Wells School of Music | West Chester University of Pennsylvania Dr. Christopher Hanning, Dean