Program booklet
Transcription
Program booklet
MAY 31Songs of the Soul & The Cloud of Unknowing JUNE 9 Beethoven: Missa Solemnis 1 Songs of the Soul Pages 4-19 & The Cloud of Unknowing Friday, May 31, 2013, 8:00 pm St. John Neumann Catholic Church, Austin Pre-concert talk by composer Robert Kyr Performance and recording made possible by the generous support of the Aaron Copland Fund for Music, National Endowment for the Arts, Nancy Scanlan, and an anonymous patron. Pages 20-32 Beethoven: Missa Solemnis Sunday, June 9, 2013, 4:00 pm Long Center for the Performing Arts, Austin Pre-concert talk by Margaret Perry, Director, Armstrong Community Music School Conspirare is a Resident Company of the Long Center S e as o n S u s ta i n i n g Un d er w r i t er 2 3 PROGRAM SONGS OF THE SOUL The Cloud of Unknowing (2013) world premiere For Soprano, Baritone, Chorus & Strings Part I: i. ii. iii. iv. Part II: i. ii. iii. iv. v. vi. PROGRAM NOTES Robert Kyr (b. 1952) Songs of Night unknowing (soloists & chorus) fearing (soloists) forgetting (chorus) longing (soloists & chorus) The Cloud of Unknowing plants the seeds that grow into its complement, Songs of the Soul, both textually and musically. As featured in The Cloud of Unknowing, the work of St. Teresa of Ávila (1515-1582) inspired St. John of the Cross (1542-1591) to write Noche oscura/Dark Night, which is the primary narrative text of Songs of the Soul. The evolution of their literary and spiritual relationship is expressed through the blossoming of the first into the second cantata. Songs of Dawn waiting (soloists) thinking (chorus) beseeching (soloists) piercing (chorus) surrendering (soloists & chorus) enduring (soloists & chorus) INTERMISSION Songs of the Soul (2011) I. Descending: From the Abyss (chorus) II. Venturing: On a Dark Night (soloists) III. Hoping: Toward Dawn (chorus) IV. Transforming: Beloved into Lover (soloists) V. Arising: A Time for Song (chorus) VI. Uniting: Leaving My Cares (soloists) VII. Transcending: And Love Remains (chorus) Estelí Gomez, soprano David Farwig, baritone 4 Overview Tonight’s concert features two cantatas—The Cloud of Unknowing and Songs of the Soul—that explore the relationship between human and divine love. Both works are scored for the same musical forces: soprano and baritone soloists, chorus, and strings. Robert Kyr The Cloud of Unknowing Part I of the work is entitled Songs of Night and it consists of four movements. In the first movement (unknowing in English), the soloists and chorus describe the “cloud of unknowing” as a hindrance to experiencing divine love. The second movement (fearing on a Castillano text of St. Teresa of Ávila) is a dialogue between the soprano and baritone, who pose existential questions, such as, “And what do you most fear in yourself?,” while in the third movement (forgetting in English), the listener is asked to “Love the One for itself alone.” The final movement is a psalm of lamentation (longing, Psalm 42 in Latin), which ends with a serene prayer. Part II of the cantata (Songs of Dawn) reflects Part I (Songs of Night) in its alternation of Castillano and English texts. The first and third movements (waiting and beseeching on texts of St. Teresa of Ávila) feature a refrain: “I am Yours; I was born for You./What do You wish to make of me?” In the manner of “call and response,” the soprano and baritone respond to the question by offering to surrender to divine love, in spite of life’s challenging dualities (sickness/health, war/peace, etc.). 5 In stark contrast, movements 1 and 3 alternate with the English texts of movements 2 (thinking) and 4 (piercing). The listener is told that thinking about love is not enough, but one must act: “Pierce the darkness above you!/Strike with a single word of love!” Movement 5 (surrendering on a text of St. Teresa of Ávila in Castillano) demonstrates the result of this action, maintaining, “Whoever has God/Lacks nothing:/Only God is enough.” The cantata concludes with an ecstatic choral dance (enduring, Psalm 136 in Latin) that features a joyous, repeated acclamation: “For his steadfast love endures forever!” Songs of the Soul I composed the second work on tonight’s program as a cantata in the manner of J. S. Bach. As in a Bach cantata, the music is primarily contrapuntal (“line against line” as opposed to “chordal”) and consecutive movements are composed for contrasting musical forces (soloists or chorus). Moreover, it features an ongoing spiritual narrative. The work traces the journey of the soul from its most despairing and earthbound condition to its most joyful and transcendent state of being. The text of the work sets out seven stages of development in the life of the soul, as reflected by the first word of each of its movement titles: Descending; Venturing; Hoping; Transforming; Arising; Uniting; and Transcending. In this cantata, the odd-numbered movements (1, 3, 5, 7) are for chorus and strings, and the even-numbered ones (2, 4, 6) are for soprano, baritone and strings. The solo/duo movements constitute a setting of Noche oscura/Dark Night, a deeply mystical eight-verse poem by St. John of the Cross, who also wrote a commentary on it. My texts for the choral movements were selected from scriptural passages that he cites during his discussion. Thus, all of the movements are directly connected through a single source that powerfully unifies the work, both textually and spiritually. 6 The first movement begins in the depths of despair with a lament, Descending: From the Abyss (in Latin and English), in which the soul cries out to God to save it from emotional and psychological chaos. The second stage of the journey is Venturing: On a Dark Night (in Castillano), in which the baritone sings about starting out on a “happy venture” on a “dark night/aflame with fervent love,” while the soprano sings a haunting wordless song from afar. Throughout the cantata, the baritone represents the earthly personality, while the soprano personifies the soul. The chorus—embodying the community—responds with an anthem, Hoping: Toward Dawn (Mvt. III in Latin and English), followed by an ecstatic duet sung by the soloists, Transforming: Loved into Lover (Mvt. IV in Castillano), and another choral response, which is a quick, dance-like movement, Arising: A Time for Song (Mvt. V). After the soloists express love’s blissful nature in an extended lyrical setting (Uniting: Leaving My Cares, Mvt. VI in Castillano), the final phase of the journey is Transcending: And Love Remains (Mvt. VII in Latin), a fugal motet that is a setting of the revered text from Corinthians I “Love is patient,/Love is kind…Faith, hope, love; these three, but the greatest of these is love.” With my deepest gratitude, I dedicate The Cloud of Unknowing and Songs of the Soul to Craig Hella Johnson, David Farwig, Abigail Haynes Lennox, Estelí Gomez, and Conspirare Company of Voices, who never fail to inspire me through the vibrant musicality that they infuse into their art. –Robert Kyr F or expanded program notes , please visit conspirare . org . 7 Texts & Translations The Cloud of Unknowing For Soprano, Baritone, Chorus & Strings S = soprano; Br = baritone; C = chorus; Duo = S + Br I. Songs of Night i. unknowing –The Cloud of Unknowing; English C: There is a cloud of darkness That you cannot imagine; Not a cloud in the air, Nor the absence of light. It is all that you do not know, All that you have forgotten, All that you do not see With your spiritual eye. This is the cloud of unknowing Between you and the One. ii. fearing –St. Teresa of Ávila; Spanish S: Si el amor que me tenéis,If the love You have for me, Dios mío, como el que os tengo,My God, is like the one I have for You, decidme, en qué me detengo?Tell me, what is holding me back? o Vos, en qué os detenéis?Or You, what is keeping You? Br: “Alma, qué quieres de mi?“ “Soul, what do You want from me?” S: “Dios mío, no más que verte.”“My God, just to see You.” Br: “Y, qué temes más de ti?”“And what do you most fear in yourself?” S: “Lo que más temo es perderte.”“What I fear most is losing You.” Duo: Un amor que ocupe os pido,I ask You for a love that fills, Dios mío, mi alma os tenga,My God: let my soul have You, para hacer un dulce nidoTo make a sweet nest adonde más la convenga.Wherever it be best for her. 8 iii. forgetting –The Cloud of Unknowing; English C: Whatever you think about Is above you for awhile, Pushing you further from the One. Beneath, and between you And all creatures ever made, Put a cloud of forgetting. Hide them all, Hide even angels and saints, Under the cloud of unknowing. And think only about The pure being of the One: Love the One for itself alone. iv. longing –Psalm 42: 1-3, 8-9, 12; Latin Quemadmodum desiderat cervus As a hart longs for flowing streams, ad fontes aquarum ita desiderat anima mea ad te Deus So longs my soul for thee, O God. sitivit anima mea ad Deum fortem: vivumMy soul thirsts for the living God. quando veniam et parebo ante faciem DeiWhen shall I come and behold the face of God? abyssus absyssum vocat Deep calls to deep in voce cataractarum tuarumAll the thunder of thy cataracts; omnes gurgites tuiAll thy waves and thy billows et fluctus tui super me transieruntHave gone over me. per diem mandavit DominusBy day, the Lord commands misericordiam suamHis steadfast love; et in nocte canticum eiusAnd at night, his song is with me, mecum oratio Deo vitae meaeA prayer to the God of my life. quare tristis es anima meaWhy are you cast down, O my soul, et quare conturbas meAnd why are you disquieted within me? spera in Deum quoniam adhuc:Hope in God; confitebor illiFor I shall again praise him, salutare vultus mei et: Deus meusMy help and my God. II. Songs of Dawn i. waiting –St. Teresa of Ávila; Spanish Duo: Vuestra soy, para Vos nací, I am Yours; I was born for You. qué mandáis hacer de mí? What do You wish to make of me? Br:vuestra soy, pues me criastes;Yours I am, for You created me; S: vuestra, pues me redimistes;Yours, for You redeemed me; Br:vuestra, pues que me sufristes;Yours, for You suffered me; S: vuestra, pues que me llamastes;Yours, for You summoned me; Duo: vuestra, porque me esperastes;Yours, because You waited for me; vuestra, pues no me perdí.Yours, for You did not lose me. C: Vuestra soy, para Vos nací, I am Yours; I was born for You. Qué mandáis hacer de mí? What do You wish to make of me? 9 ii. thinking –The Cloud of Unknowing; English B: How shall I think about the One? S: I have no idea. B: And what is the One? S: I do not know. Duo: You may reach the One And hold it close through love, But never through thinking. Find the One by loving the One. iii. beseeching –St. Teresa of Ávila; Spanish C: Vuestra soy, para Vos nací, I am Yours; I was born for You. qué mandáis hacer de mí?What do You wish to make of me? Br:Dadme muerte, dadme vida,Give me death, give me life, S: dad salud o enfermedad,Give me health or sickness, Br:honra o deshonra me dad,Give me honor or dishonor, S: dadme guerra o paz crecida,Give me war or full-grown peace, Duo: flaqueza o fuerza cumplida,Frailty or robust strength; que a todo digo que sí.I say yes to them all. C: Vuestra soy, para Vos nací, I am Yours; I was born for You. qué mandáis hacer de mí?What do You wish to make of me? Br:Dadme riqueza o pobreza,Give me wealth or poverty. S: dad consuelo o desconsuelo,Give me comfort or distress. Br:dadme alegría o tristeza,Give me joy or sadness. S: dadme infierno o dadme cielo,Give me hell or give me heaven, Duo: vida dulce, sol sin velo,Sweet life, unveiled sun, pues del todo me rendí.I have left all behind. iv. piercing –The Cloud of Unknowing; English C: With great courage and resolve, Step above the cloud of forgetting. With a single word of love, Beat upon the darkness above you! Strike the cloud of unknowing! Strike with a sharp arrow! Pierce the darkness above you! Strike with a single word of love! And never retreat , No matter what you face. v. surrendering –St. Teresa of Ávila; Spanish All:Nada te turbe,Let nothing upset you, nada te espante. Let nothing startle you. Todo se pasa, All things pass; Dios no se muda.God does not change. La paciencia Patience wins todo lo alcanza.All it seeks. Quien a Dios tiene,Whoever has God nada le falta: Lacks nothing: Sólo Dios basta.Only God is enough. vi. enduring –Psalm 136: 1-9, 26; Latin V1:Confitemini Domino quoniam bonusO give thanks to the Lord for he is good; R: quoniam in aeternum misericordia eius For his steadfast love endures forever! V2:confitemini Deo deorumO give thanks to the God of gods; R: quoniam in aeternum misericordia eius For his steadfast love endures forever! V3:confitemini Domino dominorumO give thanks to the Lord of lords; R: quoniam in aeternum misericordia eius For his steadfast love endures forever! V4:qui facit mirabilia magna solusWho alone does great wonders; R: quoniam in aeternum misericordia eius For his steadfast love endures forever! V5:qui fecit caelos in sapientiaWho made the heavens in wisdom; R: quoniam in aeternum misericordia eius For his steadfast love endures forever! V6:qui firmavit terram super aquasWho laid out the earth above the waters; R: quoniam in aeternum misericordia eius For his steadfast love endures forever! V7:qui fecit luminaria magnaWho made the great lights; R: quoniam in aeternum misericordia eius For his steadfast love endures forever! V8:solem in potestatem dieiThe sun to rule over day; R: quoniam in aeternum misericordia eius For his steadfast love endures forever! V9:lunam et stellas in potestatem noctisThe moon and stars to rule over night; R: quoniam in aeternum misericordia eius For his steadfast love endures forever! V10: confitemini Deo caeliO give thanks to the God of heaven; R: quoniam in aeternum misericordia eius For his steadfast love endures forever! V11: confitemini Domino dominorumO give thanks to the Lord of lords! R: quoniam in aeternum misericordia eius For his steadfast love endures forever! 10 11 Songs of the Soul III. Hoping: Toward Dawn I. Descending: From the Abyss Salve me Deus Save me, O God! quoniam venerunt aquae For the waters have risen unto my soul. usque ad animam –Psalm 69: 1-2 salve me Deus veni in profundum aquarum et flumen operuit me Save me, O God! I have come into deep waters And the flood sweeps over me. –Psalm 69: 1, 3 clamavi de tribulatione mea ad DominumOut of my distress, I cry to you, O Lord, et proiecisti me in profundumFor you cast me into the deep, in corde maris et flumen circumdedit meInto the heart of the sea, and the flood omnes gurgites tui et fluctus tui Enveloped me; all your waves super me transierunt And your billows washed over me, circumdederunt me aquae usque The waters swirled about me, ad animam abyssus vallavit me Threatening my life; The abyss swallowed me. ad extrema montium descendi I descended to the roots of mountains; terrae vectes concluserunt me in aeternumThe world was closing in Around me forever, et sublevabis de corruptione vitam meam But you brought up my life from the pit, Domine Deus meus O Lord, My God; salve me Deus Save me, O God. –Jonah 2: 3-4, 6-7 II. Venturing: On a Dark Night En una noche oscura On a dark night con ansias en amores inflamada, Aflame with fervent love, !oh dichosa ventura! Oh happy venture! sali sin ser notada I set out unespied estando ya mi casa sosegada. My house then being quiet. A oscuras y segura, Safe and in shadows por la secreta escala disfrazada,By the secret stairs, disguised, !oh dichosa ventura! a oscuras y en celada, estando ya mi casa sosegada. Oh happy venture! In shadows and stealthily, My house then being quiet. De profundis clamavi ad te Domine Out of the depths, I cry to you, O Lord; Domine exaudi vocam meum Lord, hear my voice; Out of the depths, I cry to you, O One. fiant aures tuae intendentes Let thine ears be attentive in vocem deprecationis meae To the voice of my supplications. Si iniquitates observaveris DomineIf thou, O Lord, should mark iniquities; Domine, quis sustinebit O Lord, who shall stand? O One: Who shall remain? Quia apud te propitiatio est For there is forgiveness with you, et propter legem tuam And on account of Thy law, sustinui te DomineI wait for you, O Lord; There is forgiveness. I wait for you; I wait. sustinuit anima mea in verbo tuus My soul waits upon your word; speravit anima mea My soul hopes. sustinui te Domine I wait for you, O Lord; sustinui I wait. –Psalm 130, adapted IV. Transforming: Beloved into Lover En la noche dichosa, en secreto, que nadie veía, ni yo miraba cosa, sin otra luz y guía sino la que en el corazón ard”ia. Aquesta me guiaba Más cierto que la luz del melodía, adonde me esperaba quien yo bein me sabía, en parte donde nadie parecía. On the happy night In secret, when no one spotted me And I saw nothing With no light or guide But what was burning in my heart. This guided me Surer than midday light To where he awaited me Whom I knew full well In a place where no one came. !Oh noche que guiaste! Oh night, such escort! !Oh noche amable mas que el alborada!Oh night, dearer than dawn! !Oh noche que juntaste Oh night you joined Amado con amada, Lover to beloved, amada en el Amado transformada! Beloved transformed to lover! –Noche oscura, San Juan de la Cruz –Dark Night, St. John of the Cross –Noche oscura, San Juan de la Cruz–Dark Night, St. John of the Cross 12 13 V. Arising: A Time for Song VI. Uniting: Leaving My Cares Pone me ut signaculum super cor tuumSet me as a seal upon your heart; Arise, my love, my beautiful one, And come away; ut signaculum super brachium tuum As a seal upon your arm. For lo, winter is past, The rain is over and gone. quia fortis est ut more dilectio duraFor love is strong as death, sicut inferus aemulatioJealousy as cruel as the grave. Flowers cover the earth, Now is the time for song! lampades eius lampades ignis Its flashes are flashes of fire, atque flammarum A most vehement flame. !Oh noche que quiaste! Oh night, such escort! !Oh noche amable mas que el alborada!Oh night, dearer than dawn! !Oh noche que juntasteOh night you joined Amado con amada, Lover to beloved, Amada en el Amado transformada!Beloved transformed to lover! Set me as a seal upon your heart, As a seal upon your arm; surge propera amica mea Arise, hasten, O my love, formonsa mea et veni My beautiful one, and come away! Come away! Set me as a seal upon your heart; flores apparuerunt in terra Flowers cover the earth. vidi speciosam I saw the fair one sicut columbam ascendentem Like a dove rising desuper rivas aquarum Above the streams of water. cuius inaestimabilis Whose incomparable fragrance odor erat nimis in vestimentis eius; Was strong in her garments, et sicut dies verni circumdabant eam And as on a spring day, She was circled about by flores rosarum et lilia convallium Flowers of roses and lilies of the valley. Set me as a seal upon your arm; Set me as a seal upon your heart. Amado con amada,Lover to beloved, Amada en el Amado transformada!Beloved transformed to lover! Come away! En mi pecho florido,On my flowering breast, que entero para él solo se guardaba, Kept whole for him alone, allí quedó dormido,There he fell asleep, y yo le regalaba, And I regaled him, y el ventalle de cedros aire daba. And cedars fanned the air. El aire de la almena, The breeze from the ramparts cuando yo sus cabellos esparcía, With my fingers through his hair, con su mano serena Grazed my neck en mi cuello hería, With its gentle hand y todos mis sentidos suspendía. And held all my senses still. Quedéme y olvidéme, I stayed, forgot myself, el rostro recliné sobre el Amado, My face bent over my lover, cesó todo y dejéme, All things ceased, I left myself, dejando me cuidado Leaving my care entre las azucenas olvidado. Forgotten among the lilies. –Noche oscura, San Juan de la Cruz –Dark Night, St. John of the Cross VII. Transcending: And Love Remains Caritas patiens estLove is patient, benigna estLove is kind. omnia suffert It bears all things, omnia credit Believes all things, omnia sperat Hopes all things, omnia sustinet Endures all things. videmus enim nunc For now we see per speculum in aenigmate In a mirror, dimly, tunc autem ad facie ad faciem But then we will see face to face. nunc cognosco ex parte Now I know only in part; tunc autem cognoscam Then I will know fully, sicut et cognitus sum Even as I have been fully known. nunc autem manet So now remain fides spes caritas Faith, hope, love; tria haec These three, maior autem his est caritas But the greatest of these is love. –I Corinthians 13: 4-7, 12-13) –Texts from Songs of Songs, an anonymous responsory for the Assumption of the Virgin, and Noche oscura (Dark Night) by St. John of the Cross 14 15 SONGS OF THE SOUL Artistic Personnel GUEST ARTISTS Craig Hella Johnson Artistic Director & Conductor Robert Kyr (b. 1952) is considered to be one of the most prolific composers of his generation; he is also a writer and filmmaker. His output features a wide range of music for vocal ensembles of all types, as well as twelve symphonies, three chamber symphonies, three violin concerti, and works for diverse chamber ensembles. Luminous and sometimes ecstatic in effect, Kyr’s music is basically tonal and modal, and he often combines music with other media in order to explore important intercultural themes, such as peacemaking (conflict and reconciliation) and the environment (living in harmony with nature). His Songs of the Soul was premiered by Conspirare Company of Voices in 2011 and hailed in the Wall Street Journal as “a powerful new achievement in American music that vividly traces a journey from despair to transcendence.” Company of Voices SOPRANO Mela Dailey Julie Keim Gitanjali Mathur Rebecca Muñiz Kathlene Ritch* Sonja DuToit Tengblad Shari Alise Wilson ALTO Janet Carlsen Campbell Cina Crisara Pam Elrod Huffman* Sarah Ihlefeld Helen Karloski Emily Lodine TENOR Paul D’Arcy Brian Giebler Bodie Gilbert Jos Milton* Tracy Jacob Shirk Steven Soph BASS Cameron Beauchamp Rick Gabrillo* Bradford Gleim Robert Harlan Harris Ipock Glenn A. Miller John Proft *Section Leader 16 Victoria Bach Festival String Ensemble VIOLIN Stephen Redfield Corinne Stillwell Katherine Wolfe Sasha Ferreira VIOLA Suzanna Giordano-Gignac Melissa Brewer Greg Luce CELLO Greg Sauer Barbara George Benjamin Westney DOUBLE BASS Melanie Punter Four compact discs of Kyr’s music are currently available: Violin Concerto Trilogy (Third Angle New Music Ensemble); Unseen Rain (Ensemble Project Ars Nova), The Passion according to Four Evangelists (Back Bay Chorale), and A Time for Life (Capella Romana). His work is featured on two Conspirare discs on Harmonia Mundi: Samuel Barber—An American Romantic (his chamber version of The Lovers) and Sing Freedom! (his original spiritual, Freedom Song). In addition, Kyr’s music has been featured on several compilation discs including Faces of a Woman (MDG 344-1468), Celestial Light: Music by Hildegard von Bingen and Robert Kyr (Telarc CD 80456), and The Fourth River: The Millennium Revealed (Telarc CD 80534). Over the past three decades, Kyr has received commissions from numerous music organizations, and from choruses in particular, including Conspirare, Cappella Romana (Portland/Seattle), Chanticleer (San Francisco), Austin Vocal Arts Ensemble (Chorus Austin), Yale Camerata, Harvard-Radcliffe Collegium Musicum, University of Chicago Choruses, Cappella Nova (Scotland), Revalia (Estonia), Putni (Latvia), Moscow State Chamber Choir (Russia), Harvard Glee Club, Radcliffe Choral Society, Ensemble Project 17 Ars Nova, Back Bay Chorale (Boston), Oregon Repertory Singers, Pacific Youth Choir, and San Francisco Symphony Chorus, among many others. Kyr holds degrees from Harvard (Ph.D.), University of Pennsylvania (M.A.), and Yale (B.A.). He has held teaching positions in composition and music theory at Yale, UCLA, Hartt School of Music, Aspen Music School, and the Longy School of Music. Currently, he is Philip H. Knight Professor of Music and Chair of the Composition Department at the University of Oregon School of Music and Dance. In addition to teaching, Kyr directs the Oregon Bach Festival Composers Symposium, the Music Today Festival, and the Vanguard Concert and Series. He is also President of the University of Oregon Senate (2011-2013). Robert Kyr’s website is www.robertkyr.com and he can be contacted at [email protected]. David Farwig has been hailed as a lyric baritone with a unique and beautiful sound, clarity, flexibility, and deep expressivity. As a solo and professional choral artist, he has performed with various companies throughout the U.S. and Europe including Conspirare, the U.S. Air Force Singing Sergeants, the Carmel, Oregon and Victoria Bach Festivals, Santa Fe Opera, Baroque Chamber Orchestra of Colorado, Santa Fe Desert Chorale, Choral Arts Seattle, Santa Fe Symphony, Seraphic Fire, and Santa Fe Pro Musica. Estelí Gomez Praised for her “effortless, spun-silk timbre” (Lucid Culture) and “artistry that belies her young years” (Kansas City Metropolis), soprano Estelí Gomez enjoys a varied career of solo and ensemble singing throughout North America and Europe. In 2011 Estelí was awarded first prize in the Canticum Gaudium International Early Music Voice Competition in Poznań, Poland, and extended her time in Europe to perform additional concerts in Munich and The Hague. After graduating from Yale College in 2008, she earned her master’s in voice at McGill University, studying with Sanford Sylvan. While in Montreal, Estelí performed the title role in Handel’s Agrippina with Opera McGill and recorded a CD of Spanish Baroque music with Ensemble Caprice, which was nominated for a Juno Award. Estelí has recently performed with Conspirare, Roomful of Teeth, Trinity Wall Street, Clarion Music Society, Seraphic Fire, Santa Fe Desert Chorale, Ensemble 1729, and Les Violons du Roy. Recent and upcoming engagements include teaching/performance residencies at Yale, Princeton, and Wellesley; participation in Helmuth Rilling’s final season with the Oregon Bach Festival; and tours of a program celebrating Britten’s centennial with guitarist Colin Davin, featuring works of Britten, Dowland, and 2013 Pulitzer prize winner Caroline Shaw. esteligomez.com Farwig has sung on several Grammy®nominated albums with Conspirare, including Requiem, on which he sang the bass solo passages in Herbert Howells’ Requiem; Threshold of Night, featuring music by Tarik O’Regan; and A Company of Voices – Conspirare in Concert. In May 2011 he was nominated for the Austin Critics Table Award for his solo work in Robert Kyr’s A Time for Life, and won the same award in 2012 for his solo work in the world premiere of Kyr’s Songs of the Soul. His most recent critically acclaimed solo work can be heard in Samuel Barber’s masterwork, The Lovers, recorded with Conspirare in 2011 on the Harmonia Mundi record label. Currently Farwig is pursuing a Doctoral of Musical Arts degree in conducting at the University of Missouri in Kansas City, where he is now based. 18 19 PROGRAM MISSA SOLEMNIS Missa solemnis op. 123 Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) Kyrie Gloria Credo Sanctus and Benedictus Agnus Dei Mary Wilson, soprano Emily Lodine, mezzo-soprano Dann Coakwell, tenor Kevin Deas, bass* Conspirare Symphonic Choir Conspirare Company of Voices Craig Hella Johnson, director Texas State Chorale, Joey M. Martin, director Victoria Bach Festival Chorus Duane Roth, director Victoria Bach Festival Orchestra Craig Hella Johnson, conductor *represented by Dispeker Artists Inc. 20 PROGRAM NOTES Many who know and love Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, Op. 125 (“Choral”) are surprised to discover his even greater choral work, Missa Solemnis, Op. 123. Beethoven himself acknowledged it to be his masterpiece. Colossal, profound, virtuosic and sublime, it is relatively little known because it is rarely performed—due largely to its famously challenging parts for soloists and chorus. This mass was truly a labor of love for Beethoven, who wrote it in honor of his dear friend and pupil Archduke Rudolph of Austria, to be performed on the occasion of Rudolph’s installment in 1820 as Archbishop. Always the perfectionist reviser, the composer became so absorbed in producing this most essentially personal work that it was not completed until two years after the Archbishop’s ceremony. “From the heart—may it go to the heart,” he wrote on the first page of the manuscript he finally gave to the Archbishop, simultaneously a personal message to his friend and a wish for the whole world as he released this gift to all. His great attention to detail is shown in the determination to give musical expression to every word of the text. (The active listener is reminded to repay this care by reading the translation of the text beforehand and by following it as closely as possible throughout the performance.) Beethoven’s personal Christian faith, little displayed in outward devotion during his life, is evidenced by his determined study of the Latin text so as to convey its full meaning to the listener most powerfully. His stated mission with Missa Solemnis was “to arouse and establish permanent religious feeling in both the singers and the audience.” Thus he marked the opening Kyrie “with devotion” and the Dona nobis pacem section of the Agnus Dei as “a prayer for inward and outward peace.” Peace was notably lacking in Beethoven’s own life, as he was afflicted by the time of this composition with almost total deafness. On top of that, he was embroiled in lawsuits over the guardianship of his nephew and in petty feuds with his servants. The contemporary accounts by Beethoven’s long-suffering friends suggest strongly that a lot of the disruption was brought on by his own eccentric and irascible behavior. As his earliest biographer Anton Schindler reported about one of these days of household uproar, “Surely no work of art of such magnitude has ever been created in more unpleasant living conditions than was the Missa Solemnis.” 21 The composer never heard his mass performed complete. A partial performance in Vienna during his lifetime was in 1824, in a concert that presented the Kyrie, Credo and Agnus Dei, titled simply “Hymns.” Since the work had been composed without a commission, the only income Beethoven received was from a few paid subscriptions to copies of the score. After Beethoven had offered these to ten European courts, its first performance was in St. Petersburg in 1823. Beethoven’s only other mass had been the Mass in C of 1807, composed on a commission from Prince Esterházy in celebration of his wife’s name-day. The composer, unwilling to follow the Classic mass style of Mozart and Haydn—expected for such events—stepped out into a more personal expression of the mass text. This innovation was criticized by the patron and later made it difficult to sell the work to publishers. Nevertheless Beethoven continued along this same path with the highly inventive setting of Missa Solemnis. His evangelistic mission creates music that is always dramatic, engaging, and entertaining. In this he paved the way for the highly-dramatic and operatic Requiem of Giuseppe Verdi (1874), the fully-staged and choreographed Mass of Leonard Bernstein (1971), and the dance-inspired Missa Latina of Roberto Sierra (2006). The stately Kyrie movement is in striking contrast to the sudden exultant rush of the Gloria, where the Gloria in excelsis text returns, unconventionally, at the end to send the music hurtling into space. The Credo movement goes furthest toward Beethoven’s personal expression of each phrase and word of the list of beliefs, ending in a virtuosic double-time fugue and quiet ascending prayer. Another extraordinary touch is the magnificent violin solo in the Benedictus section of the Sanctus, when the violin descends to earth from the stratosphere of its range to represent “he who comes in the name of the Lord.” The melody returns again and again, as if to testify to Beethoven’s faith in the relentless love of Christ. The Agnus Dei contains increasingly anxious cries for mercy, interrupted by disruptive war fanfares that only gradually die away under hushed prayers for peace. The persistent image of Beethoven is of a tortured and isolated Romantic, plagued by deafness and illness, forced to turn inward for consolation and to reach his highest artistic expression through suffering. This Christlike image (belied by the many reports of him as a world-class curmudgeon) is hard to resist when experiencing the unexcelled beauty of Missa Solemnis. Like an actor donning a costume, Beethoven cloaks his difficult personality in the grandeur of sublime music, yet at the same time dramatizes the essence of his private and profound personal faith. -Eric Leibrock 22 Text & Translation Kyrie Kyrie eleison. Christe eleison. Kyrie eleison. Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Gloria Gloria in excelsis Deo, et in terra pax hominibus bonae voluntatis. Laudamus te, benedicimus te, adoramus te, glorificamus te. Gratias agimus tibi propter magnam gloriam tuam. Domine Deus, Rex coelestis, Deus Pater omnipotens: Domine fill unigenite Jesu Christe: Domine Deus, Agnus Dei, filius Patris: Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men of good will. We praise thee, we bless thee, we adore thee, we glorify thee. We give thanks to thee for thy great glory. Lord God, King of heaven, God the Father omnipotent: Lord Jesus Christ, 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 dexteram Patris, hand, miserere nobis. Quoniam tu solus sanctus, tu solus Dominus, tu solus altissimus, Thou who takest away the world’s sins, have mercy upon us. Thou who takest away the world’s sins, receive our prayers. Thou who sittest at the Father’s right have mercy upon us. For thou alone art holy, thou alone art the Lord, thou alone art most high, Jesu Christe, cum sancto Spiritu Jesus Christ, with the holy Spirit in gloria Dei Patris. Amen. in the glory of God the Father. Amen. Credo Credo in unum Deum, Patrem omnipotentem, factorem coeli et terrae, visibilium omnium et invisibilium: I believe in one God, Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of things visible and invisible: Et in unum Dominum Jesum Christum, And in one Lord Jesus Christ, 23 24 Filium Dei unigenitum. et ex patre natum ante omnia saecula: Deum de Deo, lumen de lumine, Deum verum de Deo vero, genitum, non factum, consubstantiatem Patri, per quem omnia facta sunt: Qui propter nos homines et propter nostram salutem descendit de coelis: only-begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all time: God of God, light of light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, and consubstantial with the Father, by whom all things were made: Who for us men and for our salvation descended from heaven: Et incarnatus est de Spiritu sancto ex Maria virgine, et homo factus est: Crucifixus etiam pro nobis sub Pontio Pilato, passus et sepultus eat: And was made incarnate of the holy Spirit by the virgin Mary, and was made man: He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, suffered and was buried: Et resurrexit tertia die, secundum Scripturas, Et ascendit in coelum, sedet ad dexteram Patris; et iterum venturis est cum gloria judicare vivos et mortuos, cujus regni non erit finis: And rose again on the third day, according to the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven, and sitteth at his Father’s right hand; and will come again with glory to judge the quick and the dead, of whose reign there shall be no end: Et in Spiritum sanctum, Dominun 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 and giver of life, which proceedeth from the Father and the Son; which equal with the Father and Son shall be worshipped and glorified, as it was spoken by the prophets: Et unam sanctam catholicam et apostolicam ecclesiam. Confiteor unum baptisma in remissionem peccatorum; et expecto resurrectionem mortuorum et vitam venturi saeculi. Amen. And in one holy catholic and apostolic church. I trust in one baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life everlasting. Amen. Sanctus and Benedictus Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus, Dominus Deus Sabaoth Pleni sunt coeli et terra gloria tua. Hosanna in excelsis Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God of Hosts Heaven and earth are full of thy glory. Hosanna in the highest Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini. Hosanna in excelsis! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest! Agnus Dei Agnus Dei qui tollis peccata mundi: mundi, the world’s sins, miserere nobis. Agnus Dei qui tollis peccata mundi: mundi, dona nobis pacem. Missa Solemnis Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata Lamb of God, who takest away have mercy upon us. Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata Lamb of God, who takest away the world’s sins, grant us peace. supertitles underwritten by Eric L eibrock 25 MISSA SOLEMNIS Craig Hella Johnson Artistic Director & Conductor Janeene Williams Shari Alise Wilson SOPRANO Susan Anderson Rebecca Atkins Erika Bacon Janice Beavers Mackenzie Carlson Cina Crisara* Amy Crouch Rebecca Ellis Susan Fernandez* Caroline Frommhold Estelí Gomez Millicent Garza Jardine Monica Johnson Nicole Greenidge Joseph Julie Keim Eva Laskaris Zoe Littleton Virginia Luehrsen Cynthia Lux Gitanjali Mathur Kari McDonald Susan Meitz Suzanne Mitchell Elizabeth Moyle Rebecca Muñiz Sara Pavliscak Adrienne Pedrotti Kathryn Quirk Kathlene Ritch Lena Salha Senaida San Miguel Lisa Solomon Megan Starkey Sonja DuToit Tengblad Jen Tiller Allison Tucker Kirsten Watson Anna Welch ALTO Louise Avant Wendy Bloom Fran Collmann Mary Anne Connolly Dorea Cook* Alicia Denney Melissa Eddy Pam Elrod Huffman Karen Fincher Rebecca Frazier-Smith Cheryl Fuller Wravan Godsoe Glenda Goehrs Kristen Graeter Helen Hays Sarah Ihlefeld Helen Karloski LouAnn Lasher Kathy Leighton Katie Lessley Kendra Welton Lipman* Mim Luetje Laura Martin Laura Mercado-Wright Linda Blair Ramsey* Keely Rhodes Heather Rosen Deborah Rupp Christy Salinas Cecilia Kittley Shinn Agatha Torku Chandi Wagner Katherine White TENOR Ken Beck Anne Bertholf Daniel Buchanan Howard Burkett Jack Byrom Bob Clagett Paul D’Arcy Michael Feris Gary Goethe Loel Graber Cole Hildebrand Timothy Hissam William Hulsey Daniel Jackson Robbie LaBanca* Bill Lasher Jon-Michael Lees Jim Maxwell Jos Milton Wilson Nichols Bev Raney Stefan Reed Louis Renaud Dick Rew Jonathan Riemer* Eli Salazar Steven Soph Dan Spence Chris Tuggey James Volkema Raymond Votolato Steve White Eric Hungate Harris Ipock Jake Jacobsen* Scott Johnson Bob Karli Ben R. King* Richard Knox Michael Kriese* Robert Kyr Jack Leifer Joe Loukotka Glenn A. Miller Will Pearson John Proft Gary W. Pyle Miguel Roberts* Thann Scoggin* Reed Starnes Paul Max Tipton Jerry Young MISSA SOLEMNIS 26 Conspirare Symphonic Choir & Company of Voices *Symphonic Choir section leader BASS Roland Barrera Cameron Beauchamp Klaus Bichteler Marshal Crenshaw David Farwig Rick Gabrillo Gary Godfrey Bradford Gleim Robert Harlan* Bruce Haufler Bob Hayden Robert Hays 27 MISSA SOLEMNIS Victoria Bach Festival Chorus Joey M. Martin Director Duane Roth Director SOPRANO Bethany Cowan Catherine Clarke Deanna Errisuriz Tristi Tobias SOPRANO Janet Born Ann Herbst Jo Ann Hoffman Cora Jo Hummel Sara Sawey ALTO Katy Whitbeck Kristen Simpson Bo Sicking TENOR Seth Lafler Beau Vandertulip Joshua Contreras André Jackson BASS Jason Gallardo Brandon Perry Richard Vandertulip, Jr. JJ Wren ALTO Sallye Allen Elisa Coffey Rebecca DiGangi Reba Graham Ann Kapp Kelley Moody Billie Southern Shirley Williamson TENOR James Grumman Brandon Waters BASS Keith Cox Jeff Hubbard Victoria Bach Festival Orchestra Craig Hella Johnson Artistic Director & Conductor VIOLIN Stephen Redfield, Concertmaster Katie Wolfe, Principal Violin II Paula Bird Beth Blackerby Joan Carlson Bruce Colson Jann Cosart Dominika Dancewicz Susan Doering Boel Gidholm Juan Jamarillo Richard Kilmer Kana Kimura Gesa Kordes Anna Luce Nina Mavrinac Corinne Stillwell Elise Winters VIOLA Bruce Williams, Principal Ames Asbell Melissa Brewer Suzanna Giordano-Gignac Michalis Koutsoupides Greg Luce CELLO Greg Sauer, Principal Barbara George Chris Haritatos Frank Jenkins Shawn Sanders Dieter Wulfhorst FLUTE Adah Toland Jones, Principal Adrienne Ingles OBOE Ian Davidson, Principal Jennifer Bernard MISSA SOLEMNIS Texas State Chorale CLARINET Vanguel Tangarov, Principal Alan Olson BASSOON Nathan Koch, Principal Laura Miller Daniel Chrisman, Contrabassoon HORN Pat Hughes, Principal Margaret Ayres Anne-Marie Cherry Lauren Piccione TRUMPET Brian Shaw, Principal Bob Cannon TROMBONE Nathaniel Brickens, Principal Phil Arno Owen Homayoun TIMPANI Thomas Burritt, Principal DOUBLE BASS Melanie Punter, Principal Jessica Gilliam-Valls Andrew Potter 28 29 GUEST ARTISTS Soprano Mary Wilson is acknowledged as one of today’s most exciting young artists. Cultivating a wide-ranging career singing chamber music, oratorio, and operatic repertoire, her “bright soprano seems to know no terrors, wrapping itself seductively around every phrase.” (Dallas Morning News) In the 2012-2013 season, Wilson joins the Singapore Symphony, Boston Baroque and American Bach Soloists for Handel’s Messiah, as well as the Cincinnati Symphony and Boston Baroque for Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass. Additional performances during the season are with the Bach Festival of Winter Park (Florida), San Francisco Girls Choir, Springfield Symphony, and Santa Fe Symphony. In addition, she performs Mozart’s c-Minor Mass with the Charlotte Symphony, Brahms’ Requiem with Master Singers of Raleigh-Durham, and Silete Venti and Apollo et Daphne with American Bach Soloists. Engagements in recent previous seasons have included Messiah with the University Musical Society, Memphis Symphony Orchestra, and American Bach Soloists, Boise Philharmonic for Brahms’ Requiem, and the Buffalo Philharmonic and Chorus Pro Musica for Haydn’s Creation. She joined Music Angelica for Bach’s Wedding Cantata, Richmond Symphony Orchestra for Poulenc’s Gloria, Delaware Symphony for Strauss’ Four Last Songs, and the Memphis Symphony Orchestra for Mahler’s Symphony No. 2. Mezzo Emily Lodine has performed with many of the world’s finest conductors, including Hugh Wolff, Paul Hillier, Nicholas McGegan, Leonard Slatkin, Jane Glover, Bernard Labadie and James Levine. She has also appeared with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, and the Phoenix, Detroit, Milwaukee, Indianapolis, and Minnesota orchestras, Santa Fe Sym30 phony, and Philip Glass Ensemble. Recent engagements include Mahler’s Symphonies No. 2 and No. 3 with the South Dakota Symphony, Bach’s Mass in B Minor with the Peninsula Music Festival, Handel’s Messiah with the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, Johann Friedrich Bach’s cantata Cassandra with Lyra Baroque Orchestra of Minneapolis, and a well-received recording of Harbison’s Book of Hours and Seasons with the Chicago Chamber Musicians. Equally at home in opera, Ms. Lodine created the role of Verena Marsh in the world premiere of Stephen Paulus’ opera Summer with Berkshire Opera. Other opera credits include Britten’s The Rape of Lucretia with Lyric Opera Cleveland, The Marriage of Figaro with Opera Grand Rapids, and Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice with Anchorage Opera. A magna cum laude graduate of Indiana University with a Bachelor of Music in music theory, Ms. Lodine teaches at three colleges and loves playing Julia Child in Lee Hoiby’s musical monologue “Bon Appétit” for mezzo-soprano. Tenor Dann Coakwell has been praised by The New York Times as a “clearvoiced and eloquent … vivid storyteller,” and The Dallas Morning News has commended his “gorgeous lyric tenor that could threaten or caress on the turn of a dime.” Having performed as a soloist internationally and domestically under such conductors as Helmuth Rilling, Masaaki Suzuki, William Christie, Nicholas McGegan, Matthew Halls, and Craig Hella Johnson, Coakwell has appeared multiple times in New York’s Carnegie Hall, and with organizations such as Bachakademie Stuttgart in Germany, Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra in San Francisco, and Oregon Bach Festival. Prominent roles he has performed include those of Evangelist and tenor arias in all of J.S. Bach’s major oratorios (St. Matthew Passion, St. John Passion, Christmas Oratorio, Mass in B-Minor) and many of Bach’s cantatas; solo tenor in Britten’s Canticles II-IV and Serenade for Tenor, Horn, and Strings; Medelssohn’s Elijah; Handel’s Alexander’s Feast, Messiah, and the title roles of Judas Maccabaeus and Samson; and Almaviva in Rossini’s Il Barbiere di Siviglia. Coakwell holds an Artist Diploma in Vocal Performance from Yale University and the Yale Institute of Sacred Music, an M.Mus. from Texas Tech University, and a B.Mus. from the University of Texas at Austin. danncoakwell.com 31 Bass Kevin Deas has gained international acclaim as one of America’s leading basses. He is perhaps most renowned for his signature portrayal of the title role in Porgy and Bess, having sung it with such orchestras as the New York Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, National Symphony, the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, the San Francisco, Atlanta, Houston, Baltimore and Montreal symphonies, and at the Ravinia and Saratoga festivals. His 2012-2013 season is full of prestigious engagements. It started with Missa Solemnis at the Berkshire Choral Festival, continued with Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony with the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa, Canada, followed by Messiah performances with the Kansas City Symphony, National Philharmonic and Seattle Symphony, and culminates with the concert version of Porgy and Bess with the Vancouver Symphony and Milwaukee Symphony and Missa Solemnis with Conspirare. Kevin Deas’ list of recordings is as varied as it is impressive. He has recorded Die Meistersinger for Decca/London with the Chicago Symphony under the late Sir Georg Solti and Varèse’s Ecuatorial with the ASKO Ensemble under the baton of Ricardo Chailly. Other releases include Bach’s B minor Mass and Handel’s Acis & Galatea on Vox Classics and Dave Brubeck’s To Hope! with the Cathedral Choral Society on the Telarc label. Performing Note Conspirare has the privilege of performing in a variety of beautiful venues that best enhance choral performances. While our performing venues and the texts of some of our repertoire may be representative of specific traditions, it is in no way intended to be exclusive of any individual whose experience or set of beliefs is not represented. Conspirare respects and celebrates the great diversity of religious, artistic, and human experiences represented among our singers and audience members. The audience creates the space in which the music is held. 32 About Conspirare The word “conspirare” derives from the Latin “con” and “spirare” translated as “to breathe together.” Founded in 1991 to present a summer classical music festival in Austin, Texas, Conspirare has become an internationally recognized, professional choral organization now celebrating its twentieth season. Led by founder and artistic director Craig Hella Johnson, Conspirare is comprised of two performing ensembles and an educational program. A professional chamber choir (“Conspirare” or “Company of Voices”) of extraordinarily talented singers from around the country is presented in an annual concert series in Austin, other Texas communities, and locations in the U.S. and abroad. The Conspirare Symphonic Choir of both professional and volunteer singers performs large choral/orchestral works, often in collaboration with other organizations such as the Austin Symphony. The Conspirare Youth Choirs is an educational program for singers ages 8-17, who learn and perform in two separate ensembles, Kantorei and Allegro (former Conspirare Children’s Choir). Conspirare made its first commercial recording, through the green fuse, in 2004 on the Clarion Records label. A second CD, Requiem, also on Clarion and since 33 reissued by Harmonia Mundi, was released in 2006 and received two Grammy® nominations. Harmonia Mundi released Requiem internationally in 2009, and it received the Netherlands’ prestigious 2010 Edison Award in the choral music category. The Edison is the Dutch equivalent of the U.S. Grammy. About Craig Hella Johnson A third recording, Threshold of Night, was released worldwide in September 2008 on the Harmonia Mundi label, Conspirare’s first title for the distinguished recording company. Threshold of Night received two Grammy nominations. In October 2008, in cooperation with Austin’s public television station KLRU, Conspirare filmed a PBS television special, “A Company of Voices: Conspirare in Concert.” The program was broadcast nationally in March 2009, is available on both DVD and CD, and received a Grammy nomination. Conspirare’s latest recordings Sing Freedom! African American Spirituals and Samuel Barber: An American Romantic were released in September 2011 and September 2012 respectively, both on Harmonia Mundi, and its next release will feature works by Pulitzer-winning composer Kevin Puts. In 2005 Conspirare received the Margaret Hillis Award for Choral Excellence from national service organization Chorus America. In 2007, as one of the select choruses to receive a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts under its American Masterpieces initiative, Conspirare presented a fourday festival with a distinguished gathering of composers and conductors, performances of three world premieres, and a gala closing concert with a 600-voice choir. In July 2008 Conspirare represented the U.S. at the Eighth World Symposium on Choral Music in Copenhagen, joining invited choirs from nearly forty countries. The choir has performed at the American Choral Directors Association annual convention and for several regional ACDA conventions. Conspirare received the 2010 Dale Warland Singers Commission Award from Chorus America to support the commission of a new work by Seattle composer Eric Banks, to be premiered in the 2013-14 season. In February 2011 Conspirare gave three invited performances in New York City under auspices of the Weill Music Institute of Carnegie Hall. In March 2012 the ensemble toured several Midwestern states, and in fall 2012 traveled to France for six invited performances at the Polyfollia Festival and a public concert in Paris. Conspirare became a Resident Company of the Long Center for the Performing Arts in 2013. Craig Hella Johnson brings unparalleled depth of knowledge, artistic sensitivity, and rich imagination to his programs. As founder and artistic director of the five-time Grammy®-nominated, Austin-based professional choir Conspirare, Johnson assembles some of the finest singers in the country to form a worldclass ensemble. In addition to his work with Conspirare, Johnson is artistic director of the Victoria Bach Festival, a major regional summer festival that attracts audiences from all over the state, and will become music director of the Cincinnati Vocal Arts Ensemble in January 2014. He has also served as guest conductor with the Austin Symphony, San Antonio Symphony, and others in Texas, the U.S., and abroad. Through these activities as well as Conspirare’s recordings on the internationally distributed Harmonia Mundi label and performances in multiple Texas communities and beyond, Johnson brings national and international recognition to the Texas musical community. Beloved by audiences, lauded by critics and composers, and revered by vocal and instrumental musicians, Johnson is known for crafting musical journeys 34 35 that create deep connections between performers and listeners. A unique aspect of Johnson’s programming is his signature “collage” style: programs that marry music of many styles from classical to popular to create profoundly moving experiences. The Wall Street Journal has praised Johnson’s ability to “find the Supporters Season Sustaining Underwriter emotional essence other performers often miss.” Distinguished composer John Corigliano wrote, “I believe that [Johnson] has understood my music in a way that I have never experienced before. He is a great musician.” Composer and collaborator Robert Kyr observed, “Craig’s attitude toward creating a community of artists … goes beyond technical mastery into that emotional depth and spiritual life of the music.” Johnson was Director of Choral Activities at the University of Texas at Aus- Business & Foundation Supporters The Aaron Copland Bain Fund for Music Consulting tin (1990-2001) and remains an active educator, teaching and giving clinics statewide, nationally, and internationally at conferences and universities. In fall 2012 he became the first Artist in Residence at the Texas State University The Ann & Gordon Getty Foundation The Keating Family Foundation School of Music. As composer, arranger, and music editor, Johnson works with The Kodosky Foundation G. Schirmer Publishing and Alliance Music Publications; his works have sold thousands of copies. The Mattsson McHale Foundation Russell Hill Rogers Fund for the Arts Johnson’s accomplishments have been recognized with numerous awards. Most recently, the Texas Legislature named him the Texas State Musician for 2013. The Still Water Foundation Scott Van Osdol Photographer Other honors have included 2008 induction into the Austin Arts Hall of Fame, The Rachael & Ben F. Vaughan Foundation Chorus America’s 2009 Louis Botto Award for Innovative Action and Entrepreneurial Zeal, and the 2011 Citation of Merit from international professional music fraternity Mu Phi Epsilon. Johnson studied at St. Olaf College, the Juilliard School, and the University of Illinois, and earned his doctorate at Yale University. He has been a Texas resident since 1990. Public Funding Agencies This project is funded and supported in part by a grant from the Texas Commission on the Arts and the City of Austin through the Cultural Arts Division, believing an investment in the arts is an investment in Austin’s future. Visit Austin at NowPlayingAustin.com. This project is also supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts. Art Works. Media Sponsors 36 37 Board of Directors Staff Craig Hella Johnson Robert J. Karli, Chair Artistic Director Mary Anne Connolly, Secretary Larry Collmann, Treasurer David C. Smith Doug Bain Interim Managing Director Ken Beck William C. Bednar Tamara Blanken Fran Collmann Online Services Manager Patrick DeLaune Toya Cirica Haley Rená Carvelho Robert Harlan Accounting Richard Hartgrove Eric Leibrock Melissa J. Eddy Hope Morgan Publications & Grants Manager E. Stuart Phillips Acting Marketing & PR Manager Marion Lear Swaybill Sheila Wojcik Rick Gabrillo Sheila Youngblood Associate Conductor In memoriam: David Clark Production Team Advisory Board Wravan Godsoe Office Manager Robert Harlan Stephen Aechternacht Stage Manager John Aielli Sue Barnes Ben King Mark Bierner Production Assistant Ray Brimble David Burger Meri Krueger David Claflin Artist Relations Virginia Dupuy Maydelle Fason Ann McNair JoLynn Free Executive Assistant to the Artistic Director Billy Gammon Director of Artistic Operations Vance George Helen Hays Nina Revering Dan Herd Director, Conspirare Youth Choirs William B. Hilgers Wayne Holtzman Jennifer Tynan Judith Jellison Manager, Conspirare Youth Choirs Bob Murphy Lynn Murphy Nicki Turman Gayle Glass Roche House Manager Nancy Scanlan Angela Smith Evan Wanserski Bernadette Tasher Production Manager Louann Temple Eva Womack In memoriam: Cassandra James 38 Donors Gifts to Conspirare provide financial support for concerts, recordings, tours, educational programs, and outreach activities. The following roster of donors includes cash and in-kind gifts received from individuals, family and private foundations, businesses, and government agencies between January 2012 and May 2013. We express our gratitude to each and every one of our donors. MAESTRO CIRCLE Anonymous City of Austin Cultural Arts Division Fran & Larry Collmann Helen & Bob Hays The Kodosky Foundation, Jeff & Gail Kodosky The Mattsson McHale Foundation The National Endowment for the Arts South Texas Money Management Still Water Foundation Sheila & Ryan Youngblood IMPRESARIO CIRCLE Robert & Pat Brueck The Aaron Copland Fund for Music Robert & Lara Harlan Richard Hartgrove & Gary Cooper Michael & Jeanne Klein Wendi & Brian Kushner Gayle Glass Roche & Mike Roche Marc & Carolyn Seriff BENEFACTOR CIRCLE Mark Bierner & Cassandra James JoLynn & Gregory Free Eric Leibrock & Ellen Justice The Georgia B. Lucas Foundation Fund of the Austin Community Foundation for the Capital Area Jack & Susan Robertson Nancy Scanlan TesCom PLATINUM BATON CIRCLE Anonymous Bain Consulting Ken & Joyce Beck Vera Bowen Catherine & David Clark Crutch & Danna Crutchfield Patrick DeLaune & Sadaf Khan The Fetzer Institute Ann & Gordon Getty Foundation Robert & Trish Karli Carolyn J. Keating Joyce Mayer Dawn Moore & Kerry Tate Louise Morse Red Bird Foundation Louise N. Reeser Dick & Lynn Rew M. Ann Riopel Russell Hill Rogers Fund for the Arts Rick & Jill Salwen Jeffrey L. Taylor & Janelle Curlin-Taylor University Federal Credit Union The Rachael & Ben Vaughan Foundation Jeanie & Bill Wyatt Janice & Spencer Youngblood GOLDEN BATON CIRCLE Shannon Armstrong William C. Bednar & Flo Ann Randle Jeri DeAngelis Beth & Mark Doty Thomas Driscoll & Nancy Quinn Joanne & John Earls Susanna & Richard Finnell Mary Nell Frucella Cheline Jaidar Timothy Koock Jerele & Elizabeth Neeld Doug & Suzi Nelson Carlisle Pearson E. 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Herbst Hornaday Design Diane Ireson Morris & Marge Johnson Ellen Key Eva & Chris Laskaris Lawrence Lawver Karen & Paul Leeke Mary Ann Lees Mark & Lauren Levy Kati Lewis Carolyn & Jack Long Kelly Loudenslager & Christopher Goodpastor Susan & Craig Lubin Mim Luetje & Garrett Beauvais Marjorie McClurg Debe & Kevin McKeand Vance McMahan Ivan Milman & Janie Keys Suzanne M. Mitchell & Richard A. Zansitis Linda Monk Ann Moody Mary Moody Stefanie Moore & Todd Keister Michele Morrison Cynthia Norvell Oregon Community Foundation Graydon Parrish Marilyn & Jeff Rabkin Sandy Pearson Elizabeth Pecore Kaylie & Sam Reed Anna Renken Lafrenz David Romine Augustin Rubio Lena Salha & F. Keith Busse Donna & Christy Salinas Amy Shipherd Derald Skeen Margo Smith Chris & Chesney Szaniszlo Patti Troth Black Lois VanLaningham William Wood & Elsa Vorwerk PATRONS Molly Anderson Laura Avery Bob & Marcia Bailey Brenda Berstis Anne Bertholf Pat Fatter Black Teresa Tice Boggs Casey Boyter Karen Brinkmann & Fred Johnsen Greg Buis Joe & Cynthia Cain Rita Carlson Nathaniel & Elizabeth Chapin Sandy Chase Dean & Gwen Collmann Eric & Lisa Craven Beryl Crowley Karel Dahmen Paula D’Arcy Andrew Deskins Dr. Paul Dlabal Rena & Richard D’Souza Sharon Duboise Valerie Ellis Rebecca Esposito Susan Nash Fekety Gwen & Bruce Flory Billy & Regan Gammon Barbara Gibbs & John Driggers Glenda Goehrs Helen “Chica” Greenlee Joan & Michael Hamrick Carolyn Harris-Hynson Brian Hencey & Chuck Ross Wayne & Joan Holtzman Debbie Horne Melissa Marse Hopwood Larry Huang & Susie Lee Jeffrey Hudson & Robert Blodgett Karen & Peter Jakes Craig Hella Johnson & Phil Overbaugh Bobbie Kaye Jones & David Gilliam Tom Grimes & Karen Kibler David Kendrick Ann & William Klock Greg & Cynthia Kozmetsky Sam Kuninger Al Lambert Roberta Lang Bonnie & Sidney Lanier Nora Lieberman Catherine & David Light Shanny Lott Thomas & Alaire Lowry Drs. Krzysztof & Teresa Lyson Peter Martino Marsha McCary Ann McNair Bert & Phyllis McNelly Lexi Meece Sharon Miller Sean & Beverly Moore Evan Morgan Weston Noble Jim & Joyce Parrish Steven & DeeAnne Paulson Patrice Pike Anne Praderas & Tony Vance Denise Prince Elaine Salazar & Edwin Ramos Randalls Bev & Milbrey Raney Louis Renaud Hamilton & Joanne Richards Andy & Sally Ritch Kathlene Ritch & Scott Noakes Martha P. Rochelle Michal Rosenberger Karen Sachar Dan Seriff Marilyn Sharratt Carole & Charles Sikes Jeffrey & Sandy Smith John & Janice Spence Elizabeth Stewart Robert & Eileen Sudela Grant & Margot Thomas Nancy Townsend Nicki & Scott Turman Barbara Vervenne Ben Wear Patricia “Pinky” Wilson Meg Youngblood Susan Zolla-Pazner SUSTAINERS Anonymous Peter & Jonnet Abeles Joe & Peggy Annis Cliff Avery Brent Baldwin Scott Ballew Janette Barlow Steven Beebe Andrea Black Grace Blair Wendy Bloom Julie Bowman Carolyn Brinkman Billye Brown George Brown Betsy Busby Dean Bushmiller Jack Byrom Nancy Campbell Cise Hanchett Grayson Cecil Fleur Christensen Janet Cobb Terry & Barbara Collier Cina Crisara Patricia Culver Brad Cummins Donald Davis Richard J. Davis Stephen Davis Mary Alice & Michael J. DeBow Peter & Carol Deninno Lory & Fred Denson James Deskins Nina & Jeffrey Di Leo Sandy Dunn & Paul Harford Carl & Kathryn Ehlert Scott Elkin Pam Elrod Huffman & Rick Huffman Bert & Elaine Enriquez Lot Ensey Sally Estes Mary Anne Flournoy Jill & Terry Frisbie Caroline Frommhold Christa Burns Nelsa Gidney Mary Gifford Dr. & Mrs. David Goff Kathryn Govier Jim & Jo Green James & Mary Louise Gwynn Karen Hale & Al Lindsey Randy & Suzie Harriman Jane Hembree Robert Hollingsworth Martin & Celeste Hubert Meta Hunt & Trent Miller Todd Jermstad Caroline Jones Beth & Greg Judd James Kelly & Mariam Noland Dina Kuntz Thomas & Necya Lawnsby Michael Levy Emily Lodine & Gary Overgaard Steve & Diane Loeschen Jane-Elizabeth Madison & Judd Rogers Devra Marcus & Michael Horowitz McAllister Piano Studio Karen McLaughlin Mary McLeod Connie McMillan Janis McSwain Phyllis Miller Betty Shelton Mills Susan & Jerry Mitchell Elizabeth Hansing Moon Nancy Moore Susan Morgan Chip & Jan Morris Rebecca Muniz Judith & William Munyon Christopher Novosad & Tiki2.com Richard Orton Thomas Overbaugh Paul & Barbara Park Cathie Parsley Karen Pope Diane Post Anita Prewett Rose Taylor & Russ Prickett Gary & Cheryl Pyle Melissa Rae B.M. Ray Daniel Ray & Ellen Gould Gerhild B. Rogers Leilani Rose Deborah Rupp John & Jacqueline Schmidt Tom & Claudia Schurr April Schweighart Jackie & Bob Shapiro John & Carol Sharp Beverly Spicer Don & Karen Stabeno Scott & Carol Stine Eva & Roy Strasburger Katherine Sutherlin John C. R. Taylor III & Peter Flagg Maxson Emily Tracy & Berthold Haas Susan Trautmann Kathryn Turpin John Uglum Carla Umlauf & Cass Cheesar Cynthia & Mark Vanderberg Debra Watkins Kendra Welton-Lipman Doreen Wheeler Ginny & Geoff Willig Martin Wojciechowski Conspirare also thanks all donors of gifts under $100 and regrets that space does not permit the listing of each name. Your support is equally appreciated. We strive to publish an accurate donor list. If an error or omission is noticed, please let us know. LEGACY OF SOUND Conspirare thanks these donors for their generous gifts and pledges to A Legacy of Sound, made over and above ongoing annual giving. For more information about this program, please visit Conspirare. org/support. Anonymous Bain Consulting William C. Bednar & Flo Ann Randle Robert & Pat Brueck David & Catherine Clark Fran & Larry Collmann Danna & Crutch Crutchfield Patrick DeLaune & Sadaf Khan Thomas Driscoll & Nancy Quinn Robert & Lara Harlan Helen & Bob Hays Robert & Trish Karli The Kodosky Foundation Wendi & Brian Kushner Lou Ann & Bill Lasher Eric Leibrock The Mattsson McHale Foundation Louise Morse E. Stuart Phillips Rebecca & Phil Powers Jack & Susan Robertson Nancy Scanlan The Hon. Bea Ann Smith Still Water Foundation William & Anne Wagner Catherine & David Wildermuth Sheila Wojcik Sheila & Ryan Youngblood HONORARY & MEMORIAL GIFTS Received between January 7, 2013 and May 10, 2013 In memory of David Clark Beth Ann Bryan Hamilton & Joanne Richards In honor of Craig Hella Johnson Susan Duncan In honor of Suzanne Mitchell Robin Chapman In honor of Sheila & Ryan Youngblood Andrea Olsen-Condon 41 Thank You Austin American-Statesman Austin Chronicle Roland Barrera Cameron & Beth Beauchamp* Taja Beekley Bruce Biermann Pat Black Darrell Blandford* Blanton Museum of Art Mark Canfield & Mike Burroughs* Chris Cavner Chez Zee Robert Claggett* Catherine Clark* Larry & Fran Collmann* Michelle Crawford Anne & Ray Ellison Dale Elmshaeuser James Elrod Marion Elrod* Joey & LisaDiane Etheridge* Yasser Farra & Meri Krueger Susanna & Richard Finnell* Michelle Fisher Caroline Frommhold Mary Gifford Glenda Goehrs* Kathryn Govier Cyndi Griesser Helen Hays Jeanne Henry Sara Hilgers Ed & Sara Hill* Hornaday Design Rod Howard William & Donna Hulsey* Virginia Hyde Stan & Biruta Kearl* Ben King 42 Support Conspirare KMFA-FM KUT-FM Eric Leibrock & Ellen Justice* Kathy Leighton Rachel Lomas & Andy Bowman* Joy and Lewis Lucke Ed & Eileen Lundy* John & Jill McFarland* Deborah Meleski Nancy Michalewicz Susan Morgan Bill Nemir* Christopher Novosad, Tiki2.com Philip Overbaugh Betsy Pharis Jack & Susan Robertson* Gerhild Rogers* Karen Sachar Photography Herbert & Naneene Schwetman* Alan & Linda Seeliger* Bea Ann Smith* South Texas Money Management – Jeanie Wyatt, Joie Dorris Christina Tannert Bernadette Tasher* TesCom, Inc. Veryan & Greg Thompson Teresa Tice-Boggs* University Federal Credit Union Victoria Bach Festival – Nina Di Leo Carol Walker Inspired by the power of music to change lives, conspirare engages audiences in extraordinary musical experiences through world-class choral performances and recordings. YOUR ANNUAL FUND GIFT AT WORK Your Annual Fund gift will help bridge the gap between ticket sales and operating expenses. Your contribution is a sound investment: • Over 70 cents of every dollar contributed goes directly towards programming • Allows Conspirare to offer $10 tickets to any student • Keeps ticket prices affordable for all lovers of choral music in our community Conspirare’s Revenue Sources * A rtist host Special thanks to Eric Leibrock for program notes and supertitle underwriting GIVE TODAY at Conspirare.org/Support See the insert in this program or visit us online for more information about giving levels and benefits. 43 Tuesday, January 29 | 12pm Ach Gott, wie manches Herzeleid BWV 3 Tuesday, February 26 | 12pm Sei Lob und Ehr dem höchsten Gut BWV 117 Tuesday, March 26 | 12pm Missa Brevis in F BWV 233 Tuesday, April 30 | 12pm Freue dich, erlöste Schar (St. John Baptist June 24) BWV 30 Media sponsor: The University of Texas at Austin | MLK at Congress Austin, TX 78701 | blantonmuseum.org | (512) 471-7324 facebook.com/BlantonMuseumofArt in simultaneous performances throughout the museum. Featuring music by young composers who transcend distinctions between classical and rock. Brass Ensemble: Renaissance Sunday, March 3 | 2pm Scott Hanna conducts an ensemble from the Butler School of Music performing compositions from the Renaissance era. Jazz Trio: Expressionism Sunday, May 5 | 2pm Jeff Hellmer leads a faculty trio from the Butler School of Music through improvisations inspired by the expressionist era in art and music. Presenting the Cantata Project 2013-14 programs to be announced soon 44 45 Sneak Preview 2013-14 Season Calibration Services ™þä¯Y”T[GI • Moving Closer, Reaching Out ~Óíðò‚ ”§mMOýÝT ™þä¯Y”T[GI ~Óíðò‚ ”§mMOýÝT • Local Pickup & Delivery ™þä¯Y”T[GI ~Óíðò‚ ”§mMOýÝT ™þä¯Y”T[GI As we enter our third decade, Conspirare is moving closer to our • Expedite Service Available circle of friends with performances you’ll love and reaching out to ~Óíðò‚ ”§mMOýÝT ™þä¯Y”T[GI ~Óíðò‚ new audiences in Texas and the world through touring, recording, • Accredited to ISO/IEC 17025:2005 & ANSI/NCSL Z540.1.1994 and online. Here’s a sneak ~Óíðò‚ peek at the season’s first ”§mMOýÝT half: ”§mMOýÝT ™þä¯Y”T[GI • Repair Depot ™þä¯Y”T[GI ~Óíðò‚ ”§mMOýÝT ™þä¯Y”T[GI Summer • Sale of New & Refurbished Equipment ™þä¯Y”T[GI ~Óíðò‚ ”§mMOýÝT ™þä¯Y”T[GI ~Óíðò‚ CD release, Music of Kevin Puts ~Óíðò‚ Austin and worldwide ”§mMOýÝT ™þä¯Y”T[GI ”§mMOýÝT ~Óíðò‚ ”§mMOýÝT • Certified Metrologists Since 1999 Conspirare Youth Choirs Offering a comprehensive treble choir program for boys and girls, ages 9-18. Find out more at conspirare.org/youth-choirs 46 September 5 ™þä¯Y”T[GI Big Sing ~Óíðò‚ Austin ”§mMOýÝT September 26-29 ™þä¯Y”T[GI Season Opening Concert ~Óíðò‚ Victoria, Houston, Austin ”§mMOýÝT December ™þä¯Y”T[GI CD release, Sacred Spirit of Russia ~Óíðò‚ Austin (worldwide in February 2014) ”§mMOýÝT December 5-9 ™þä¯Y”T[GI Conspirare Christmas with special guest Ruthie Foster ~Óíðò‚ Victoria, San Antonio, Austin ”§mMOýÝT December 13-14 ™þä¯Y”T[GI Conspirare Youth Choirs Holiday Concert ~Óíðò‚ Austin ™þä¯Y”T[GI ”§mMOýÝT December 17 ~Óíðò‚ ™þä¯Y”T[GI Holiday Big Sing ~Óíðò‚ Austin ”§mMOýÝT ™þä¯Y”T[GI ~Óíðò‚ ”§mMOýÝT January 23-25 ™þä¯Y”T[GI ~Óíðò‚ ”§mMOýÝT ™þä¯Y”T[GI Joby Talbot’s Path of Miracles (back by popular demand) ~Óíðò‚ ~Óíðò‚ ”§mMOýÝT ™þä¯Y”T[GI Houston, Austin, San Antonio Also to be recorded for Harmonia Mundi ”§mMOýÝT ”§mM ™þä¯ ~Óí ”§mMOýÝT ™þä¯Y”T[GI ~Óíðò‚ ”§mM And more in spring 2014! ™þä¯Y”T[GI ~Óíðò‚ ”§mMOýÝT ™þä¯ ~Óíðò‚ ”§mMOýÝT ™þä¯Y”T[GI ~Óí Sign up at Conspirare.org, like us on Facebook, and follow on Twitter to receive all the exciting 13-14 details soon. ”§mMOýÝT us™þä¯Y”T[GI ~Óíðò‚ ”§mM 47 48