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Light Out of Darkness (CD03)
Sonoma County Bach Choir
Recording date: 03/06/2004
Price: $12
German Baroque Music in memoriam. Featured composers include Michael Praetorius, Heinrich Schütz and JS Bach. The Santa Rosa Children's Chorus (directed by Carol Menke) is featured on this recording as well. Recording in the lobby of the Sonoma Country Day School, Santa Rosa, California.
PROGRAM
Mit Fried’ und Freud’ ich fahr dahin…..Johann Walther/Martin Luther
Psalm 116.....Michael Praetorius (1571-1621)
Soprano: Carol Menke
Alto: Bonnie Brooks
Tenor: Scott Whitaker
Baritone: David Stohlmann
Bass: Jeffrey Fields
Herr nun lässest du deine diener in Friede fahren…..Heinrich Schütz (1585-1672)
Selig sind die Toten…..Heinrich Schütz
Musikalische Exequien: Part III Heinrich Schütz
Soprano I and II: Santa Rosa Children’s Chorus
Baritone: Jeffrey Fields
Mit Fried’ und Freud’ ich fahr dahin…..Johann Walther/Martin Luther (arr.
Schein)
INTERMISSION
Mit Fried’ und Freud’ ich fahr dahin…..Johann Walther/Martin Luther
Actus Tragicus (Cantata 106)…..Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Sonatina
Chorus (Gottes Zeit)
Tenor solo (Ach Herr) : Scott Whitaker
Bass solo (Bestelle dein Haus): Jeffrey Fields
Chorus (Es ist der alte Bund) with Soprano solo (Ja komm Herr Jesu): Carol
Menke
Alto solo (In deine Hände): Bonnie Brooks
Bass Solo (Heute wirst du mit mir) with Chorale (Mit Fried’ und Freud’): Jeffrey
Fields
Chorus (Glorie, Lob, Ehr und Herrlichkeit)
Mit Fried’ und Freud’ ich fahr dahin…..Johann Walther/Martin Luther (arr.
Bach)
Program
Notes
Our repertoire for this concert, a collection of funeral music, reflects
a universal theme which is inherent in many cultural traditions: Out of
darkness, the light returns. This archetypal theme, deeply connected to
the winter season by the fact of the solstice, stands for a greater paradox,
which lies at the heart of the sacred: From death comes life.
This paradox is everywhere apparent. The gradual ‘dying of the light’ is followed
by the return of the ‘invincible sun’. Plants live through their cycle and
die, transformed into nutrients for new life. Animals consume other animals
to sustain life. Even our inner lives are characterized by progressive cycles
of death and rebirth, as old beliefs and values yield to the phoenix of new
wisdom.
The great winter solstice festivals were designed not only to celebrate the
return of the light, but to acknowledge the depth of the darkness. The brilliance
of Christmas shines more brightly for following the solemnity and restraint
of Advent. Many of the ‘festivals of lights’ which occur in so many cultures
are celebrated against a backdrop of darkness or contrition. Thus these celebrations,
in order to achieve their full power, partake of both darkness and light,
demonstrating the eternal miracle of how the one contains the other.
Although funeral rites differ from winter festivals in many obvious ways,
the deepest message is the same. Confronted by the fact of death, we seek
life. Through sacred rites, through art, through music we touch the dark,
hoping to discover the light hidden within.
The funeral compositions which we offer tonight, drawn from the broad repertoire
of Lutheran Trauermusik, each offers a spark of illumination, drawing
on several distinct messages which, while here expressed in Christian terms,
reflect universal themes.
The theme of life after death: In the Christian tradition, this is
of course the strongest pillar of hope. “They are in the hand of the Lord,
and no torment touches them.” An absolute faith in life after death, expressed
in many of these works, transforms the quality of darkness as certainly as
the knowledge that the sun will rise tomorrow.
The theme of healing: “They go forth and weep, bearing precious
seed; and they return with joy.” From Schütz to Brahms, many funeral compositions
focus upon the healing powers of mourning. The message is clear: Only by fully
acknowledging the power of death can we return to a rich and joyous life.
The theme of crying out: Psalm 116 is largely concerned with the need
to call for help. In my darkest hour, says the psalmist, “I called out the
name of the Lord: O Lord, rescue my soul!” The power of prayer is seen not
only as a means of summoning help, but also as a final admission that we are
personally powerless, a necessary precursor to salvation.
The theme of acceptance: Several of our pieces (the chorales which
bracket each half, two of the Schütz works and part of the Bach) are based
upon the Nunc Dimittis, the words spoken by old man Simeon upon recognizing
the child Jesus as Savior: “Lord, let your servant now depart in peace”. These
lines, transformed by Luther in his deathbed hymn (‘Mit Fried’ und Freud’
ich fahr dahin’), express perhaps the most mature phase of the battle between
the dark and the light: Serene acceptance. This is the central theme of Bach’s Actus Tragicus:
“Since I will die at the time of your choosing, I place my spirit in your
hands.”
The illumination provided by these themes is so strong that you may notice
something unexpected: these are not dark compositions. From beginning to end,
tonight’s concert is filled with optimism and with the promise of light. As
we all stuggle with the the fears and anxieties of our time, we offer this
concert as a message that Light can, will, indeed must arise Out
of Darkness.
A special note: We are so grateful to the wonderful young singers of the
Santa Rosa Children’s Chorus for joining us for this concert. It is an honor
to work with them and their director, Carol Menke.
PERSONNEL
Jubilate Baroque Orchestra
| Recorder:
Louise
Carslake
Frances Feldon
Harpsichord:
Phebe
Craig |
Viola da gamba:
John Dornenburg
Julie Jeffrey
Violone and viola da gamba:
Farley
Pearce |
Cello and viola da gamba: Joanna Blendulf
David
Morris
Viola da gamba (recording):
William Skeen |
Sonoma
County
Bach
Choir
Directed by Robert Worth
Yvonne Wormer, rehearsal accompanist
| Brian Andersen
Chris Alexander
Dana Alexander
Daniel Alva
Richard Beebe
Ken Berri
Emily Boudreau
Christian Bramswig
Kelly Butler
Emily Clawson
Anne Cook
Janice Cunningham
Corey Day
Heather Day
Jayne DeLawter
Nicole DeVous
Melanie
Dodson
Nirmala Dole
|
Jaime
Edge
Gilbert Eldredge
Jennifer Fairbairn
Phyllis Fernlund
Margaret Field
Ben
Ford
Gary Foster
Barbara
Fromm
Paul Haile
David Hanes
Faye Heath
Andrea Herold
Molly Hogan
Karin and Leon Hughes
Jennifer-Marie Iloff
Byron Jones
Martha Kahane
John Kramer
|
Sadie Luke
Amy Martin
Anthony
Martin
Kelly McConnell
Lindy Miller
Krisha-Anne Montmorency
Ted
Morgan
Amy Nykamp
John Nykamp
Vicki Osten
Lana Ramos
Bob Rogers
Laura Sawyer
Julian Shay
Gloria Solomon
Dan Solter
Ron Stevens
David Stohlmann
Erin Summ |
Santa Rosa
Children’s Chorus
Directed by Carol Menke
Mark Osten, rehearsal accompanist
| Gabrielle
Armenier
Jean Armenier
Justine Armenier
Jenna Bates
Drew Bolander
Isabella Burch
Tristan Collinsworth
Lauren Elliott
Dylan Field |
Emma
Herron
Emmett Klopp
Sarah MacDonald
Xavier Mirabelli-Montan
Liberty Moyer
George Mulcaire
Ashley Richard
Emily Rozga
Suzanna Rozga |
Arielle
Schwartz
Felicia Strope
GinaLisa Tamayo
Melanie Teixeira
Emily Tokheim
Rebecca Tolbert
Irene VanRiper
Kim Wicht
Juliana Woolums |
TEXTS
Mit Fried’ und Freud’
| Mit
Fried und Freud ich fahr dahin
in Gottes Willen.
Getrost ist mir mein Herz und Sinn,
sanft und stille.
Wie Gott mir verheissen hat,
der Tod ist mein Schlaf worden. |
With
peace and joy I go forth
according to God's will.
Comforted are my heart and sense,
soft and still.
As God promised to me,
death has become my sleep. |
Psalm 116
| Erster Theil
Das ist mir lieb,
daß der Herr meine Stimme
und mein Flehen höret,
daß er sein Ohre zu mir neiget.
Darum will ich mein Leben lang
ihn anrufen. |
First Part
I am glad,
that the Lord my voice
and my prayers hears;
that He his ear to me inclines.
Therefore I will my life long
to him call. |
| Strikke
des Todes
hatten mich umfangen,
and Angst der Hellen
hatten mich troffen.
Ich kam in Jammer und Not. |
Bonds
of death
had me imprisoned,
and fear of Hell
had come upon me.
I came into misery and need. |
| Aber
ich rief an
den Namen des Herren:
O Herr, errette meine Seele! |
But
I called out
the name of the Lord:
O Lord, rescue my soul! |
| Der
Herr ist gnädig und gerecht,
und unser Gott ist barmherzig.
Der Herr behütet die Einfältigen.
Wenn ich unterliege,
so hilft er mir. |
The
Lord is merciful and righteous,
and our God is compassionate.
The Lord protects the simple ones.
When I am laid low,
He helps me. |
| Sei
nun wieder zufrieden, meine Seele.
Denn du hast meine Seele
aus dem Tode gerissen,
meine Augen von den Tränen,
meinen Fuß vom Gleiten.
Ich will wandeln für dem Herren
im Lande der Lebendigen. |
Be
now again at peace, my soul.
For the Lord has my soul
from death torn,
my eyes from tears,
my foot from slipping.
I will travel before the Lord
in the land of tne living. |
| Der andere Theil
Ich gläube, darum
red ich.
Ich werde aber sehr geplaget.
Ich sprach in meinem Zagen:
Alle Menschen sind Lügener. |
The Other Part
I believed, therefore I spoke.
I became however very afflicted.
I said in my fear:
All men are liars. |
| Wie
soll ich dem Herren vergelten
alle seine Wohltat, die er mir tut?
Ich will den heilsamen Kellich nehmen
und des Herren Namen predigen. |
How
shall I the Lord repay
for all the goodness, which he does for me?
I will take the salvation-cup
and preach the name of the Lord. |
| Ich
will meine Gelübde
dem Herren bezahlen
Für alle seinem Volk.
|
I
will my vows
to the Lord pay
before all His people. |
| Der dritte Theil
Der Tod seiner heiligen
ist wert gehalten für dem Herren.
O Herr, ich bin dein Knecht,
deiner Magd Sohn. |
The Third Part
The death of His saints
is held precious by the Lord.
O Lord, I am your servant,
Your maiden's son. |
| Du
hast meine Bande zurissen.
Dir will ich Dank opfern
und des Herren Namen predigen. |
You
have torn my bonds.
To you I will offer thanks
and the name of the Lord preach. |
| Ich
will meine Gelübde
dem Herren bezahlen
Für alle seinem Volk,
in den Höfen am Hause des Herren,
in dir, Jerusalem.
Hallelujah! |
I
will my vows
to the Lord pay
before all His people,
in the courts of the house of the Lord,
in you, Jerusalem.
Hallelujah! |
Herr, nun lässest du deinen Diener in Friede fahren (Luke 2:29-32)
| Herr,
nun lässest du
deinen Diener in Friede fahren,
wie du gesagt hast. |
Lord,
now let
your servant depart in peace,
as you have said. |
| Denn
meine Augen
haben deinen Heiland gesehen,
welchen du bereitet hast
für allen Völkern,
ein Licht zu erleuchten die Heiden,
und zum Preis deines Volk Israel. |
For
my eyes
have seen their savior,
which You have prepared
for all people,
a light to illuminate the unbelievers,
and the glory of your people Israel. |
Selig sind die Toten (Revelation 14:13)
| Selig
sind die Toten,
die in dem Herren sterben, |
Blessed
are the dead,
who die in the Lord, |
| von
nun an.
Ja, der Geist spricht:
Sie ruhen von ihrer Arbeit,
und ihre Werke folgen ihnen nach. |
from now on.
Yes, the spirit says:
They rest from their labors,
and their works follow them. |
Musikalische Exequien: Part III
The choir sings Herr, nun lässest
du deinen Diener in Friede fahren; the trio sings Selig sind
die Toten, adding the following text from the Apocrypha (Wisdom of Solomon
3:1).
| Sie
sind in der Hand des Herren,
und keine Qual rühret sie. |
They
are in the hand of the Lord,
and no torment touches them. |
Mit Fried’ und Freud’
| Das
macht Christus, wahr' Gottes Sohn,
der treue Heiland,
den du mich, Herr, hast sehen lan,
und machst bekannt,
daß er sei das Leben und Heil
in Not, und auch im Sterben. |
Christ
does this, true Son of God,
the faithful savior,
whom you, God, have let me see,
and made known,
so that he might be life and salvation
in need, and also in death. |
Intermission
Mit Fried’ und Freud’
| Den
hast du allen fürgestellt
mit grossen Gnaden,
zu seinem Reich die ganzen Welt
heissen laden,
durch sein teuer heilsam Wort
an allem Ort erschollen. |
Him
have you to all shown
with great mercy,
to his kingdom the whole world
is bidden,
through his precious, healing word
in all places resounding. |
Actus Tragicus (Cantata 106)
Sonatina
Chorus (Acts 17:28)
| Gottes
Zeit ist die allerbeste Zeit.
In ihm leben, weben und sind wir,
solange er will.
In ihm sterben wir zur rechten Zeit,
wenn er will. |
God's
time is the very best time.
In Him we live, move and are,
as long as He wishes.
In Him we die at the correct time,
when he wishes. |
Tenor (Psalm 90:12)
| Ach,
Herr, lehre uns bedenken,
daß wir sterben müssen,
auf daß wir klug werden. |
O
Lord, teach us to be mindful
that we must die,
so that we can become wise. |
Bass (Isaiah 38:1)
| Bestelle
dein Haus;
denn du wirst sterben
und nicht lebendig bleiben! |
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