robert kyr a time for life an environmental oratorio

alexander lingas cappella romana third angle new music 1 2 3 Robert Kyr (b. 1952) Cappella Romana A TIME FOR LIFE (2007) Alexander Lingas, artistic director An Environmental Oratorio LeaAnne DenBeste, soprano (S1) Stephanie Kramer, soprano (S2) Commissioned by Cappella Romana and inspired by Tuesday Kingsbury, alto (A1) the initiatives of His All-Holiness +BARTHOLOMEW Kristen Buhler, alto (A2) Archbishop of Constantinople-New Rome and Cahen Taylor, tenor (T1) Ecumenical Patriarch. Mark Powell, tenor (T2) Aaron Cain, bass (B1) David Stutz, bass (B2)

Part I: Creation 16 x. Supplication V: We Pollute the Air :50 Third Angle New Music 1 i. Prologue :39 17 xi. Witness V: The Joyless Land 4:12 Ron Blessinger, violin & artistic director 2 ii. Proclaiming :35 18 xii. Supplication VI: The Dying Planet :57 Anna Schaum, viola 3 iii. Arriving 2:46 19 xiii. Witness VI: The Sacred Way 5:21 Hamilton Cheifetz, violoncello 4 iv. Praising 2:42 Part III: Remembering 5 v. Trembling 2:01 20 i. Dance of Life 2:51 6 vi. Rejoicing :57 21 ii. Canticle of Life; First Soliloquy 1:08 Part II: Forgetting 22 iii. First Canons :31 7 i. Prologue 2:23 23 iv. Chorale, First Verse 1:07 8 ii. Supplication I: We Ignore Your Word :33 24 v. Second Soliloquy 1:42 9 iii. Witness I: Look and Behold 1:58 25 vi. Chorale, Second Verse 1:13 10 iv. Supplication II: 26 vii. Second Canons :28 We Devour Your Forest :41 27 viii. Third Soliloquy 1:07 11 v. Witness II: Breathe and Remember 2:00 28 ix. Chorale, Third Verse 1:18 12 vi. Supplication III: 29 x. Third Canons :45 We Defile Your Oceans :41 30 xi. Final Chorale 2:01 13 vii. Witness III: The Survivor 1:57 31 xii. Epilogue 4:49 14 viii. Supplication IV: We Destroy Nature :51 total time: 53:19 15 ix. Witness IV: Howl, You Shepherds! 2:11

4 5 the distinctive features of the Patriarch’s vision need to care for everything, as containing “the calendar, as a day of prayer for environmental are humble simplicity (ascesis) and liturgical trace of God” (Tertullian, 2nd century). Indeed, preservation; numerous Christian communions communion (koinonia). In all that he says or Orthodox Christians perceive the notion of sin have followed suit, encouraged by the World does, the Patriarch is aware that everyone as the stubborn refusal of humanity to regard Council of Churches. After his election in 1991, without exception – irrespective of confessional the created world as a gift of communion – as Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew launched or religious conviction – must be included. nothing less than a sacrament. a series of environmental activities, including Likewise, every science and discipline should a Pan-Orthodox conference in Crete, an In the seventh century, two mystics of the contribute; every culture and age should concur. unprecedented meeting of Orthodox Patriarchs, Eastern Christian Church eloquently described Moreover, the Ecumenical Patriarch is also aware inviting them to endorse his ecological vision, this intimate relationship between nature, that environmental issues are intimately related and a series of five ecological summer seminars humanity, and God. St. Maximus the Confessor to numerous social issues: war and peace, on education, ethics, communications, justice, ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH BARTHOLOMEW spoke of the world as a “cosmic liturgy,” a social justice and human rights, poverty and and poverty. AND THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT magnificent altar upon which human beings unemployment. We have become increasingly Introduction worship in thanksgiving and glory. The entire In 1995, the Ecumenical Patriarch established aware of the effects of environmental world comprises an integral part of this sacred the Religious and Scientific Committee, which In the past two decades, the world has witnessed degradation on people, especially the poor. song; God is praised by the sun and moon, to date has organized seven international, alarming ecological degradation, increasing Theology worshipped by the trees and birds. (Psalm interfaith and interdisciplinary symposia in failure to implement environmental policies, and 18.2 lxx) And Abba Isaac the Syrian invited his the Aegean Sea (1995) and the Black Sea an ever-widening gap between rich and poor. Orthodox Christianity retains – in its theology, spiritual disciples to “acquire a merciful heart, (1997), along the Danube River (1999) and During the same period, no other worldwide liturgy and spirituality alike – a profoundly burning with love for all of creation: for humans, in the Adriatic Sea (2002), in the Baltic Sea religious leader has placed the ecological crisis sacred view of the natural environment, birds, and beasts.” If today we are guilty of (2003) and on the Amazon River (2006), as at the forefront of his ministry as has Ecumenical proposing a world richly imbued by God relentless waste in our world, it may be because well as in the Arctic (2007, as shown in this Patriarch Bartholomew, spiritual leader of the and proclaiming a God intimately involved we have lost the spirit of worship and the booklet) and on the Mississippi River (2009). Orthodox Church, which numbers over 300 with creation. The conviction is that, by spirituality of compassion. In 2002, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew million adherents worldwide. disconnecting creation from the Creator, we co-signed the “Venice Declaration” with Pope have in fact desacralized both. For the way we History For the Ecumenical Patriarch, the environment John Paul II, the first joint statement by the relate to the world around us directly reflects is not only a political or a technological issue; While its ecological initiatives date back to two world leaders. The recipient of several the way we pray to “our Father in heaven.” it is, as we have come to appreciate, primarily the mid-1980s, since 1989, the Ecumenical environmental awards (including the Sophie So we respond to the natural world with the a religious and spiritual issue. Religion has a Patriarchate – located in the ancient Christian Prize, the Binding Foundation Award, the United same sensitivity that we address God. All of key role to play; and a spirituality that remains See of Constantinople (modern day Istanbul, Nations Environmental Protection Award) us understand that we must care for other uninvolved with outward creation is ultimately Turkey) – has invited Orthodox Christians and the US Gold Medal of Congress, His All- human beings, as created “in the image of uninvolved with the inward mystery too. So throughout the world to reserve September Holiness has been labeled “Green Patriarch” by God.” (Gen. 1.26); it is time to appreciate the 1st, the official opening of the church Al Gore and the media, and honored by Time 6 7 Magazine (USA) and The Guardian (UK) as one Conclusion which is our obligation in turn to transmit to of the world’s most influential environmental future generations. So before we can effectively The sacramental image of the world is authorities. deal with problems of our environment, represented in color through the well-known we must change the way we perceive the Yet the hallmark of the Ecumenical Patriarch’s icon depicting the hospitality of Abraham world. Otherwise, we are simply dealing with initiatives is not success, but in fact humility. In and Sarah as they welcome three strangers symptoms, not with their causes. We require beholding the larger picture, the Ecumenical in the desert of Palestine. It is an icon of the a new worldview if we desire “a new heaven Patriarch recognizes that he stands before communion between the three persons of the and a new earth.” (Rev. 21:1) This is our calling; something greater than himself, indeed Trinity as they relate to creation: and this is God’s command. As His All-Holiness something greater than his (or any) Church. The Lord appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew declared For Patriarch Bartholomew, healing a broken Mamre, as he sat at the entrance of his tent in jointly with the late Pope John Paul II: environment is a matter of truthfulness to Select publications by Rev. Dr. John Chryssavgis: the heat of the day. (Gen. 18:1) God, humanity and the created order. He It is not too late. God’s world has incredible With B. Foltz, Toward an Ecology of Transfiguration: was the first to dare broaden the traditional If we pay close attention, not only do “the oaks healing powers. Within a single generation, Orthodox Christian Perspectives on Environment, concept of sin – beyond individual and social of Mamre” provide refreshing shade for the we could steer the earth toward our children’s Nature, and Creation, Fordham University Press, New implications – to include environmental Patriarch of Israel, but they are the occasion for future. Let that generation start now. (Venice, York, 2013. damage! Thus, while the Ecumenical Patriarch divine revelation. By analogy, then, not only 2002) On Earth as in Heaven: Ecological Vision and Initiatives has been widely recognized for his pioneering do the trees of the world provide sustenance of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Fordham work in confronting the theological and ethical for humankind in diverse ways, but they reflect University Press, New York, 2012. imperative of environmental protection, he has the very presence of God. Cutting them down —The Very Rev. Dr. John Chryssavgis Speaking the Truth in Love: Theological and Spiritual courageously declared the abuse of the natural implies eliminating the divine presence from our Archdeacon of the Ecumenical Throne Exhortations of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, environment as sinful. lives. Indeed, the Hebrew interpretation of this and Theological Advisor to the Ecumenical Fordham University Press, New York, 2010. text implies that the oak trees themselves – just Patriarch on Environmental Issues To commit a crime against the natural world In the World, Yet Not of the World: Social and Global as the visitors who appeared at the same time – is a sin. To cause species to become extinct Initiatives of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, somehow actually reveal God. For it is not until and destroy the biological diversity of God’s Fordham University Press, New York, 2009. Abraham recognized the presence of God in creation; to degrade the earth’s integrity by The Ecumenical Patriarchate: a historical guide, the trees (in creation) that he was also able to causing climate change, stripping the earth of Ecumenical Patriarchate Publications, Constantinople, recognize God in his visitors (in human beings). natural forests or destroying wetlands; to injure 2005. 2nd revised edition, 2007. other human beings with disease and contam- The crisis before us is not primarily ecological. It Beyond the Shattered Image: Insights into an Orthodox inate the earth’s waters, land, air, and life ... is a crisis about the way we envisage or imagine Ecological Worldview, Light and Life Books, Minneapolis these are sins. (Santa Barbara USA, 1997) the world. We treat our planet in a godless MN, 1999. manner because we fail to see it as a divine gift,

8 9 (part of the full eight-voice choral texture). I • Part II: Forgetting. The second part explores the forest (Supplication & Witness II); the oceans know the artists of Cappella Romana well and humanity’s present inability to live in harmony (Supplication III); animal life (Supplication IV); so I created the oratorio expressly for them with nature as “forgetting” and makes a the air we breathe (Supplication V); and the so that they could explore the full range of recurrent appeal to the Creator: “…We forget entire planet itself as plagued by corruption and their abilities. In this sense, A Time for Life is a who we are. Help us to remember…” Forgetting abuse (Supplication VI). No one can escape musical play in which each “character” (singer is structured in six sections and each consists the responsibility for the earth (“My people or instrumentalist) performs a variety of roles. of two parts—a “supplication” (a solo followed are fools,/Senseless children/Who have no In a live performance, this play is also enacted by canons) paired with a “witness” account (an understanding”), especially the leaders (“No through both the music and a simple choral aria, duo or trio). The sources for Part II are: the more will the fool be called noble,/For he speaks choreography; the movement of the performers U.N. Environmental Sabbath Program; the Books foolishly,/Planning evil in his heart”). The ruling A TIME FOR LIFE BY ROBERT KYR through the concert space is a journey that of Jeremiah and Isaiah; the Chinook Psalter; class of all nations is particularly culpable in its embodies the meaning of the text. and an Ojibway Prayer, as well as the Orthodox folly (“Howl, you shepherds, and wail!/Roll in Program note by the composer “Service for the Environment.” the dust, leaders of the flock!/There is no flight The composite text for A Time for Life was for shepherds,/No escape for leaders of the adapted from a wide range of sources that • Part III: Remembering. The third part begins flock./There is no escape!”). One of the most urgent issues facing the explore the relationship of humanity to nature. with the Dance of Life followed by the Canticle world today is the ecological crisis caused by The work is structured in three large-scale parts, of Life. The “dance” features a double chorus The final phase of the journey (Part III: humanity’s inability to live in harmony with the as follows: singing call-and-response (three women Remembering) moves towards a hopeful future juxtaposed with three men), whereas the in which humanity serves as a responsible natural world. My collaboration with Cappella • Part I: Creation. In the first part, the nature “canticle” is structured in four parts, each of steward of the earth and thus realigns itself with Romana grew out of our mutual concern of creation is celebrated through praise for which contains a soliloquy (solo), a section the creative forces of existence. This journey is about this potentially catastrophic situation. the Creator and through rejoicing in the pure of canons, and a chorale (full, eight-voice a spiritual one in which we remember our true After many discussions, I decided to create an creative force of existence. The text was adapted choral texture). The text sources for Part III responsibility of stewardship for the earth, and environmental oratorio in order to address this from several sources: a Sioux Prayer; an Eskimo are a Pawnee/Osage/Omaha Indian Song, a through this awakening finally “act(s) as one crucial topic from a variety of perspectives. Song; Psalm 8; An Akathist in Praise of God’s Navaho Chant, the Book of Ecclesiastes, and the to preserve creation” (Part III: Final Chorale). Creation (attributed to Metropolitan Tryphon, A Time for Life (2007) was created for eight Orthodox “Service for the Environment.” This spiritual awakening leads to true and 1934, but possibly written by Father Gregory of the principal singers of Cappella Romana, sustained action, as the final arc of the journey Petrov who died in a Soviet prison camp in A Time for Life is a “musical play” that traces Alexander Lingas (its director), and the ensemble passes through three phases: “…remembering… 1942); and the Orthodox “Service for the a journey from the glory of Creation as it Medieval Strings with a later version (2008) restoring… rejoicing…” In turn, these phases Environment” that was written in 1961 by the was given to humanity (Part I) through our for modern instruments (Third Angle New lead to gratitude for all life: “Beauty before me… monk Gerasimos at the monastery of the Skete destructive behavior as demonstrated by the Music). The work features each of its vocalists behind me…below me…above me…around of Little Anne on Mt. Athos (Greece). current global environmental crisis (Part II: as a soloist, a chamber musician (a member me…In beauty it is finished…” of duo- and trio-formations), and a chorister Forgetting). The potential for destruction is total: 10 11 A Time for Life is dedicated to Alexander environmental oratorio traces our journey from creation” was facilitated the following year by further conversations between us exploring Lingas and Cappella Romana. I believe that a state of division and separation to the way of the commissioning of a new liturgical office in past and present perspectives on the music and the arts have a crucial role to play unity and wholeness. Greek from Fr. Gerasimos of the Skete of Little relationship between divinity, humanity and in the transformation of the current energy of Anne on the Holy Mountain of Athos (1905–91), the environment. These discussions served as a —Robert Kyr cynicism and destruction into the life-sustaining a prolific poet who had been previously background for the creation of his libretto for A attitude and energy of creativity. And thus, my recognized by the Ecumenical Patriarchate as Time for Life, in which Professor Kyr sensitively “Hymnwriter of the Great Church.” In 1992, at incorporates excerpts from the Bible, the the request of the World Council of Churches, worship of Eastern Orthodoxy, and the prayers Archimandrite Ephrem (Lash) made a slightly of indigenous peoples. As set to music, these expanded English version of this new office, the texts movingly render the loss of ancient wisdom full text of which is available on his personal regarding responsible stewardship of creation, its website (www.anastasis.org.uk/environm.htm). horrific consequences for our environment, and the potential offered by the recovery of spiritual The present Ecumenical Patriarch, His All- Christianity, this process began in earnest tradition for re-establishing a harmonious Holiness Bartholomew I, has made the during the second half of the tenure of His All- relationship with nature. Holiness Dimitrios I as Ecumenical Patriarch preservation of the environment a focal point of Constantinople (1972–1991). Theological of his ministry. Described elsewhere in this —Alexander Lingas inquiry was succeeded by public engagement booklet by the Rev. Dr. John Chryssavgis, his in 1989 when Ecumenical Patriarch Dimitrios efforts have led the international media to dub set aside September 1st, New Year’s Day in him “the Green Patriarch.” One of their recurrent the liturgical calendar of Eastern Orthodox themes, sounded also by other Eastern Orthodox Churches, as an occasion for Christians under writers, has been that maltreatment of the his jurisdiction to offer prayers annually for the natural environment rests ultimately on human distortions of relationships with God and nature “THE GREEN PATRIARCH,” CAPPELLA protection of the environment. that are most properly ordered by love and ROMANA, AND A TIME FOR LIFE September 1st was chosen as liturgically thanksgiving. Before climate change became a pressing item suitable because themes of supplication and Some years ago Robert Kyr, having become on the global agenda, signs of human abuse of thanksgiving for creation were already present aware of and admiring the environmental the natural environment had prompted efforts in in the existing medieval service texts for this initiatives of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, religious communities throughout the world to day (albeit with emphasis on preserving the city, approached me with the idea of composing recover spiritually grounded notions of human imperial government and church of Byzantine an oratorio for Cappella Romana that would stewardship within creation. For Orthodox Constantinople). Common prayer specifically “for our environment and for the welfare of all address some of the same issues. This led to 12 13 Part I: CREATION A1: O Spirit of the East, T2: O Lord, Send us your Wisdom. Glory to You i. Prologue. [Instrumental] T2: Glory For the joy of moving and seeing and living. For the seas, vast and wide, ii. Proclaiming. And all the creatures within. vi. Rejoicing. T2: O Lord, B1: O Spirit of the South, [All:] Glory You are the light of those in darkness, May we tread your path of life. From age to age. And my spirit sings your praises: T2: Glory [Adapted, An Akathist in Praise of God’s Creation] Glory for calling us into being. For all animals and living things, [Adapted, Orthodox “Service for the Environment”] Both great and small. Part II: FORGETTING A TIME FOR LIFE A2: O Spirit of the West, An Environmental Oratorio iii. Arriving. May we always be ready for the long journey. i. Prologue. [Instrumental] T2: O Lord, T2: Glory Vocalists: S1 (Soprano I) How wonderful is your name For beautiful weather and flourishing seasons. ii. Supplication I: We Ignore Your Word S2 (Soprano II/Mezzo-soprano) In all the earth! B2: O Spirit of the North, purify us S1: O God: A1 (Alto I) [Adapted, Psalm 8:1] With your cleansing winds. We ignore your Word A2 (Alto II) Glory for creating the beauty of the universe; T2: Glory Serving only ourselves. T1 (Tenor I) Glory for your eternity within this fleeting world; For the breath of winds [Adapted, Orthodox “Service for the Environment”] T2 (Tenor II) Glory for each step in our life journey… And the flow of waters. B1 (Bass I / Baritone) [Adapted, An Akathist in Praise of God’s Creation] T2: [Adapted, Orthodox “Service for the Environment”] T2: We forget who we are. B2 (Bass II) The others: [Adapted, Sioux Prayer] S1+T2: Help us to remember. iv. Praising. [Adapted, U.N. Environmental Sabbath Program] Textual Sources: The composite text for A Time S2: O our Father, the Sky, hear us v. Trembling. for Life is adapted from the following sources: And make us strong. S1: The great sea has set me in motion, iii. Witness I: Look and Behold a Sioux prayer; an Eskimo song; the Chinook T2: Glory Set me adrift, S2: My people are fools, Psalter; an Ojibway prayer; a Pawnee/Osage/ For the natural world through which And I move as a weed in the river. Senseless children Omaha Indian song; a Navaho chant; the We live and move and have our being. O the arch of sky Who have no understanding; Orthodox “Service for the Environment”; “An T1: O our Mother, the Earth, hear us And mightiness of storms They are wise in evil, Akathist in Praise of God’s Creation” (Orthodox); And give us support. Encompasses me, And do not know United Nations Environmental Sabbath Program; T2: Glory And I am left How to do good. Psalm 8; Book of Jeremiah; Book of Isaiah; For the flowering earth Trembling with joy. I look at the earth, Book of Ecclesiastes; and original texts by the Filled with plants and trees. [Adapted, Eskimo Song] It is waste and void; composer. 14 15 Look and behold: many are dying, vi. Supplication III: We Defile Your Oceans ix. Witness IV: Howl, You Shepherds! They who dwell on earth turn pale, Even the birds fly away! S1: O Creator: T1/B1: Howl, you shepherds, and wail! And only a few good people are left. Look and behold: We defile your oceans, Roll in the dust, leaders of the flock! Silent, the cheerful timbrels; Our gardens are deserts. Harming and killing sea life. There is no flight for shepherds, Ended, the cry of jubilation; [Adapted, Jeremiah 4: 22-26] S1+T2: We forget who we are. No escape for leaders of the flock. Still is the dancing harp. [All:] Help us to remember. There is no escape! Broken down is the city of chaos: iv. Supplication II: We Devour Your Forest [Adapted, Jeremiah 25: 34-38] Every joy has left the land. T2: O Creator: vii. Witness III: The Survivor “Woe to those who mislead [Adapted, Isaiah 24: 3-20] We devour your forest, S2/A1: Woe to those who call evil good, And scatter the flock of my pasture; Turning land into pavement. And good evil; You have not cared for them, xii. Supplication VI: The Dying Planet S1: We forget who we are. Who change darkness into light, And you will suffer for your evil deeds, T2: O Creator: [All:] Help us to remember. And light into darkness; For your evil heart.” Your planet is dying Who change bitter into sweet, [Adapted, Jeremiah 23: 1-4] From our corruption and abuse. v. Witness II: Breathe and Remember And sweet into bitter! Howl, you shepherds, and wail! A1+B1: We forget who we are. T1: Our garden was so diverse: Woe to those who are wise in their own sight, Roll in the dust, leaders of the flock! [All:] Help us to remember. Plants from so many families, Who deprive the just man of his rights. There is no flight for shepherds, So many colors, fragrances. [Adapted, Isaiah 5:20-25] No escape for leaders of the flock. xiii. Witness VI: The Sacred Way Basil, mint, lavender, No more will the fool be called noble, [Adapted, Jeremiah 25: 34-38] T1/B1/B2: O Creator: God help me to remember; For he speaks foolishly, Look at our brokenness. Raspberry, Apple, Rose, Planning evil in his heart. x. Supplication V: We Pollute the Air God fill my heart with love; But the noble man plans noble deeds A1: O Creator: In all creation, Dill, anise, tansy, And by noble deeds, he survives. We pollute your air, Only the human family Holy winds blow through me; [Adapted, Isaiah 32: 5-8] Spreading death and disease. Has strayed from the Sacred Way. Rhododendron, zinnia, S1+T2: We forget who we are. May my prayer be beautiful. viii. Supplication IV: We Destroy Nature [All:] Help us to remember. We are divided O God, may my remembrance T2: O Creator: And must come back together again Be as incense to thee, We destroy nature, xi. Witness V: The Joyless Land To walk as one in wholeness. As I breathe and remember Extinguishing animal life. S1/A1/A2: The earth is laid waste; The ancient forests of earth. S1+T2: We forget who we are. Stripped and barren. O Creator, [Adapted, Chinook Psalter] [All:] Help us to remember. The world is polluted O Sacred One: Because of its inhabitants, Teach us love, compassion, and honor, Who have broken too many laws. 16 17 So we may heal the earth. A time to give iii. Chorale, First Verse House made of the dark cloud. So we may heal each other. And a time to take; [All:] Remember, remember House made of male rain. [Adapted, Ojibway Prayer] A time to destroy The circle of the sky: House made of dark mist. And a time to create; The stars and the brown eagle, House made of female rain. Part III: REMEMBERING A time for action The supernatural winds House made of pollen. And a time for thought; Breathing night and day [Adapted, Navaho Chant] I. Dance of Life A time for war From the four directions. And a time for peace; [Adapted, Pawnee/Osage/Omaha Indian Song] CantiCle: third Part A1: A time for all seasons A time to mourn vii. Third Soliloquy Under heaven: And a time to dance; CantiCle: seCond Part A1: O Master: [All:] A time to live A time for silence iv. Second Soliloquy Help us to remember And a time to die; And a time for music— S1: O Creator: The holiness of your creation. A time to plant A time for life Guide us to preserve your creation. Guide us to preserve And a time to harvest; And only life. Help us to protect the fullness of nature The majesty of nature. A time to rend [Adapted, Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8] In which we live and move and have our being. [Adapted, Orthodox “Service for the Environment”] And a time to sew; Give us the breath of winds. A time to hurt II. Canticle of Life Give us the flow of waters. viii. Chorale, Third Verse And a time to heal; Give us light. [All:] Remember, remember A time to seek CantiCle: First Part [Adapted, Orthodox “Service for the Environment”] The holiness of life: And a time to lose; i. First Soliloquy The running streams and dwellings, A time to embrace T2: O Lord: v. Chorale, Second Verse The young within the nest, And a time to reject; Help me to remember who I am, [All:] Remember, remember A hearth for sacred fire, A time to remember Guide me to preserve your creation. The great life of the sun: The holy flame. And a time to forget; Lead me to greater life. Breathing on the earth, [Adapted, Pawnee/Osage/Omaha Indian Song] A time to cry [Adapted, Orthodox “Service for the Environment”] Falling upon earth, And a time to laugh; Bringing out life from the earth— ix. Third Canons A time to love ii. First Canons Life covering the earth. Restore my feet for me. And a time to hate. [All:] Help me to remember who I am… [Adapted, Pawnee/Osage/Omaha Indian Song] Restore my legs for me. Restore my body for me. vi. Second Canons Restore my mind for me. House made of dawn. Restore my voice for me. House made of evening light. [Adapted, Navaho Chant] 18 19 CantiCle: Final Part xii. Epilogue on two Conspirare discs on Harmonia Mundi: Samuel Kyr holds degrees from Harvard (Ph.D.), University x. Final Chorale S1, T2: May it be beautiful before me. Barber—An American Romantic (his chamber version of Pennsylvania (M.A.), and Yale (B.A.). He has held [All:] O Holy One: May it be beautiful behind me. of The Lovers) and Sing Freedom! (his original spiritual, teaching positions in composition and music theory at Freedom Song), as well as several other compilation Yale, UCLA, Hartt School of Music, Aspen Music School, Give peace to all nations May it be beautiful below me. discs, including Faces of a Woman (MDG 344-1468), and the Longy School of Music. Currently, he is Philip H. And understanding in all things, May it be beautiful above me. Celestial Light: Music by Hildegard von Bingen and Knight Professor of Music and Chair of the Composition May it be beautiful all around me. So we may act as one Robert Kyr (Telarc CD 80456), and The Fourth River: The Department at the University of Oregon School of To preserve your creation. In beauty it is finished. Millennium Revealed (Telarc CD 80534). Music and Dance. In addition to teaching, Kyr directs [Adapted, Orthodox “Service for the Environment”] the Oregon Bach Festival Composers Symposium, the Over the past three decades, Kyr has received Beauty before me… Music Today Festival, and the Vanguard Concert Series. commissions from numerous music organizations, Beauty behind me… Robert Kyr’s website is www.robertkyr.com and he can xi. Final Canons and from choruses and vocal ensembles in particular, Beauty below me… be contacted at [email protected]. S1, T2: Rejoicing may I walk. including Cappella Romana (Portland/Seattle), Rejoicing, with abundant dark clouds, may I walk. Beauty above me… Conspirare (Austin), Chanticleer (San Francisco), Santa ALEXANDER LINGAS Rejoicing, with abundant showers, may I walk. Beauty around me… Fe Desert Chorale, Austin Vocal Arts Ensemble (Chorus Cappella Romana’s founder and artistic director Rejoicing, with abundant plants, may I walk. T2: Remember… Austin), Yale Camerata, Harvard-Radcliffe Collegium Alexander Lingas, is a Senior Lecturer in Music at Musicum, Harvard Glee Club, Radcliffe Choral Rejoicing, on a trail of pollen, may I walk. City University London and a Fellow of the University Society, University of Chicago Choruses, Pacific Youth of Oxford’s European Humanities Research Centre. Choir, Cappella Nova (Scotland), Revalia (Estonia), concerti, and works for diverse chamber ensembles. Formerly Assistant Professor of Music History at Arizona Putni (Latvia), Moscow State Chamber Choir (Russia), Luminous and sometimes ecstatic in effect, Kyr’s music State University’s School of Music, he received his Ensemble Project Ars Nova, Back Bay Chorale (Boston), is basically tonal and modal, and he often combines Ph.D. in Historical Musicology from the University of Oregon Repertory Singers, Pacific Youth Choir, San music with other media in order to explore important British Columbia. His awards include Fulbright and Francisco Symphony Chorus, among many others. intercultural themes, such as peace-making (conflict and Onassis grants for musical studies with cantor Lycourgos reconciliation) and the environment (living in harmony Many foundations and institutions have commissioned Angelopoulos, the British Academy’s Thank-Offering with nature). His Songs of the Soul was premiered by Kyr’s music, including Paul G. Allen Foundation, to Britain Fellowship, research leave supported by the Craig Hella Johnson and Conspirare Company of Voices, National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), Meet the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, and the St. Romanos the and hailed in the Wall Street Journal as “a powerful new Composer, Chamber Music America, Yale Institute of Melodist medallion of the National Forum for Greek achievement in American music that vividly traces a Sacred Music, Scottish Arts Council, Canada Council, Orthodox Church Musicians (USA). Having contributed journey from despair to transcendence.” Estonian Choral Society, Nagasaki Peace Museum, articles to The New Grove Dictionary of Music and ROBERT KYR Chase Foundation (Boston), New England Foundation Musicians, and The Oxford Handbook of Byzantine Five compact discs of Kyr’s music are currently for the Arts, Hopkins Arts Center (Dartmouth), Templeton Studies, Dr. Lingas is now completing two monographs: Robert Kyr (b. 1952) is considered to be one of the most available: Songs of the Soul (Conspirare); A Time for Foundation, Collins Foundation, Oregon’s Regional Arts a study of Sunday Matins in the Rite of Hagia Sophia for prolific composers of his generation; he is also a writer Life (Cappella Romana); Violin Concerto Trilogy (Third and Culture Council, Oregon Humanities Center, and Ashgate and a historical introduction to Byzantine Chant and filmmaker. His output features a wide range of Angle New Music); Unseen Rain (Ensemble Project Ars Massachusetts Council for the Arts and Humanities. for Yale University Press. music for vocal ensembles of all types, as well as twelve Nova), and The Passion according to Four Evangelists symphonies, three chamber symphonies, three violin (Back Bay Chorale). In addition, his music is featured

20 21 CAPPELLA ROMANA in Greece: From Constantinople to California; Voices Third Angle New Music String Quartet has received ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS of Byzantium: Medieval Byzantine Chant from Mt. rave reviews for its performances of contemporary His All-Holiness +BARTHOLOMEW Archbishop Its performances “like jeweled light flooding the space” Sinai (also released as Mt. Sinai: Frontier of Byzantium; music. Following its recent tour of China, the quartet of Constantinople-New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch (Los Angeles Times), Cappella Romana is a vocal Βαρθολομαίου τοῦ Παναγιωτάτου καὶ Οἰκουμενικοῦ. Πατριάρχου, πολλὰ τὰ ἒτη. Byzantium 330–1453 (the official companion CD to the performed the epic four-hour String Quartet No. 2 by chamber ensemble dedicated to combining passion with Royal Academy of Arts Exhibition); Byzantium in Rome: Morton Feldman and received the following accolade His Eminence, Metropolitan +GERASIMOS of the Greek Orthodox scholarship in its exploration of the musical traditions Metropolis of San Francisco Medieval Byzantine Chant from Grottaferrata; The Fall from Asymmetry Music Magazine in February 2012, “I of the Christian East and West, with emphasis on early Rev. Dr. John Chryssavgis, Archdeacon of the Ecumenical Throne of Constantinople; Richard Toensing: Kontakion on the cannot imagine it (Feldman String Quartet No. 2) played and contemporary music. Founded in 1991, Cappella Rev. Dn. Nephon Tsimalis, Ecumenical Patriarchate Nativity of Christ; Peter Michaelides: The Divine Liturgy; any more beautifully or perfectly than Third Angle played Romana’s name refers to the medieval Greek concept Dr. Stephen Cottrell The Divine Liturgy in English: The Complete Service in it. Rich tone, perfect intonation, razor-sharp ensemble, Bill Drumheller, Peter Drury, and John Jennings of the Roman oikoumene (inhabited world), which Byzantine Chant, and others. Forthcoming recordings and a palpable love for this lovely music. No praise Shira Kammen embraced Rome and Western Europe, as well as the include a disc of choral works of the Finnish Orthodox can be too high for this performance.” Learn more at Robert Leichtman Byzantine Empire of Constantinople (New Rome) and Hunter Madsen Church directed by Ivan Moody and medieval Byzantine thirdangle.org. its Slavic commonwealth. Each program in some way Gail Marsom chant for Holy Friday in Jerusalem. David Morris reflects the musical, cultural and spiritual heritage of this PRODUCTION CREDITS Dr. Steven Shankman Executive Producer: Mark Powell (Cappella Romana). ecumenical vision. In 2010 it became a participant in the research project Janet Stewart “Icons of Sound: Aesthetics and Acoustics of Hagia Recording, Remixing and Mastering Producer; Digital Editor: Steve Elizabeth Theokritoff Flexible in size according to the demands of the Sophia, Istanbul,” a collaboration between Stanford Barnett (Barnett Music Productions, Minneapolis, Minn.). Margriet Tindemans repertory, Cappella Romana is based in the Pacific University’s Center for Computer Research in Music Recording Engineer: Bill Levey (Via Audio, Seattle, Wash.). University of Oregon School of Music and Dance Northwest of the United States of America, where it and Acoustics and Department of Art & Art History. The Remixing and Mastering Engineer: Preston Smith (Perfect Record, Center for Intercultural Dialogue (University of Oregon) presents annual concert series in Portland, Oregon, and UNESCO Chair in Transcultural Studies, Interreligious Dialogue, ensemble continued the project in 2013 with concerts in St. Paul, Minn.). Seattle, Washington. It regularly tours in Europe and and Peace (University of Oregon) Stanford’s Memorial Church (with the virtual acoustic of Editing Plot Preparation and Remixing: Robert Kyr. North America, having appeared at venues including The Monastery of Christ in the Desert Hagia Sophia Cathedral in Constantinople/Istanbul) and Graphic design/booklet editor: Mark Powell. The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the J. This recording is made possible with the valuable support of in Memorial Church, followed by recording sessions for Booklet proofreading: Robert Kyr, Linda Rickert. Paul Getty Center in Los Angeles, St. Paul’s Cathedral the disc of medieval Byzantine chant for Holy Friday in and the Priory of St. Bartholomew-the-Great in London, Photography: Cover image: Spring Grass and Rainpool, Oregon Jerusalem (forthcoming). Booking and other information gChristopher Burkett, christopherburkett.com, used by permission. the Pontificio Istituto Orientale in Rome, the Tage Alter at cappellaromana.org. “Leaves” image: Tyac Spring, Study 2, Hunter Madsen, used by Musik (“Early Music Days”) in Regensburg, Germany, permission. CD tray: The Monastery of St. Dionysiou on Mt. Athos, the University of Oxford, Princeton University, and Yale THIRD ANGLE NEW MUSIC public domain. The Ecumenical Patriarch at the Interdisciplinary University, and venues in Greece, including the Sacred Symposium in the Arctic (2007), Nikolaos Manginas, used by Third Angle New Music pushes the boundaries of permission. Wendy Beth Oliver Music Festival of Patmos, the Ekatontapiliani and Church Bank of America Foundation Matching Gift the expected with the creation and performance of Original recordings: P&g2013 Cappella Romana. All rights of the Life-Receiving Spring on Paros, the Gennadius contemporary musical events, works, and collaborations. reserved. Unauthorized duplication is a violation of applicable laws. and from The Collins Foundation, The Herbert A. Templeton Library in Athens, and the Church of the Annunciation Recorded at Beall Hall, University of Oregon, May 10, 2009. Foundation, The Rose E. Tucker Charitable Trust, The Regional Arts New music is a form of musical storytelling that works and Culture Council, Work for Art, the Oregon Arts Commission, in Patras. g in harmony or dissonance with its environment. It’s an Booklet content and design: 2013 by Cappella Romana, Inc. All and The National Endowment for the Arts. Promotional support rights reserved. Cappella Romana has released over a dozen compact opportunity to rethink the conditions of the performance of the premiere concerts from Cascadia Convergence, EcoTrust, discs, including Tikey Zes: The Divine Liturgy of St. itself. Being new music, you never know what is going to Publisher: ECS Publishing, Boston, is the publisher of Robert Kyr’s A Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon-Environmental Ministries, Time for Life, which is licensed by BMI. Greendrinks, The Nature Conservancy, Orlo: Exploring John Chrysostom for Choir and Organ 1991/96; Live happen next. Third Angle. It’s anything but ordinary. Environmental Issues through the Creative Arts, Salmon Nation, 22 23 Sierra Club, The Sightline Institute, and Sustainable Oregon. These and other titles at cappellaromana.org or your favorite retailer

The Divine Liturgy in Tikey Zes: Divine Liturgy English in Byzantine Chant for Mixed Choir and The complete service on Sung in Organ This highly original Greek, for mixed two CDs, featuring music choir, & organ setting of the Liturgy by drawn from the most ad libitum Tikey Zes achieves a authoritative traditions “a TIKEY ZES ΠΑΝΑΓΙΩΤΟΥ ΖΗ balance of splendor with gift to the of Byzantine chanting. THE DIVINE LITURGYOF ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM restraint that is, in an Orthodox world” 40-page booklet with inculturated and dignified Again extensive essays on liturgy musical idiom, thoroughly CAPPELLA ROMANA and Byzantine chant. ALEXANDER1 LINGAS, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Byzantine. The Fall of Constantinople Live in Greece: From Cappella Romana’s criti- Constantinople to cally acclaimed program “music California Ancient Byz- of Byzantine chant and of endless antine chants, encounters polyphony c. 1453 and fascination” with Crusaders and “a motets by Guillaume Gapplegate Venetians, and music by captivating Dufay explores the musical Californians Frank Desby recital” legacy of New Rome— and his peers and Athe- Gramophone caught between Latin West nian composer Michael and Islamic East. Adamis (1929-2013). Voices of Byzantium: Me- Byzantium in Rome:

dieval Byzantine Chant Medieval Byzantine Chant CR-411CD from Mt. Sinai Byzantine Led by Ioannis Arvanitis, musical treasures from ca- this 2-CD set bears witness thedrals and monasteries to Constantinopolitan “robust preserved from destruc- American music from before the and intriguing tion in the Egyptian desert Record Guide Latin conquest of 1204, music” Wash- at the Greek Orthodox Critic’s Choice as recorded at Abbey of ington Post Monastery of St. Catherine 2008 Grottaferrata near Rome at Mt. Sinai. (founded 1004). Michaelides: Divine Kontakion on the Nativity Liturgy This outstanding American composer choral setting combines Richard Toensing creates a elements of Byzantine vibrant musical synthesis chant combine with of East and West with “an modern neo-classicism “full of new settings of ancient ideal to create unaccompanied sensitive Orthodox Christmas texts, performance” liturgical music of wonder” Choral especially the dramatic Gramophone uncommon elegance and Journal words of St. Romanos the spiritual depth. Melodist. 24