COLCHESTER CHAMBER CHOIR

Director Roderick Earle O SACRUM CONVIVIUM

Programme £2 COLCHESTER CHAMBER CHOIR Since our first concert in January 2010 we have gained a reputation for performances of unusual quality, musicality, drama and imagination. At present we number thirty-two auditioned singers from a wide area around Colchester and rehearse intensively in the weeks before each concert.

We present varied programmes exploring the more challenging and less well known repertoire, particularly from the pre-baroque and 19th and 20th centuries and, where possible, sing in the original language. We perform regularly in Colchester, nearby towns and other venues in the East Anglian region including the Cathedral of St John the Baptist in Norwich and more recently at St Edmundsbury Cathedral in Bury St Edmunds.

Michael Roderick Earle, the choir’s director and founder, studied as a choral scholar in the renowned St. John’s College Choir, Cambridge and sang with the BBC Singers and Monteverdi Choir before embarking on a career in opera. A principal baritone with the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, for twenty-one years performing over sixty solo roles, he has sung in opera and concerts all over the world and is a singing professor at The Royal College of Music.

Organist Kris Thomsett is the Organ Scholar of Norwich Cathedral and is currently completing a degree in music at the University of East Anglia.

Peter Humphrey is the choir's rehearsal pianist.

sopranos altos tenors basses

Liz Curry Lesley Orrock Lehla Abbott Terry Blunden Dennis Bowen

Anita Filer Linda Pearsall Eleanor Campbell Paul Burt John Campbell

Julia King Hilary Sellers Patsy Cosgrove Tom Chippendale Joseph Cowie

Eleanor Loaring Hannah Todd Tessa Freebairn Andrew Marsden Sean Moriarty

Sarah Lock Laura Valentine Lynne McKay Amrit Nasta Peter Newton

Jill Newton Meg Prolingheuer Will Potten Martin Richardson

Mary Stamp Stephen Smith

Paul Torrington This evening’s programme spans the hundred years from 1864 to 1960 and presents some of the finest works from what is now regarded as a golden era in the history of French sacred music. Maurice Duruflé was a boy chorister in Rouen cathedral. In 1927 he was appointed assistant organist at Notre Dame, Paris and later as titular organist of St. Etienne du Mont, a position he held for the rest of his life. He was highly critical of his compositions and only left thirteen published works at his death. Amongst these were the Quatre Motets sur des thèmes grégoriens, op 10 in 1960. Each motet is built upon the ancient plainsong melody, the beginning sung before each motet. Ubi caritas is a setting for the washing of feet on Maundy Thursday, Tota pulchra es, Maria, written for women’s voices, is for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, Tu es Petrus for the Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul and , a setting of words by St. , is sung at Benediction. The Salve Regina is a mediaeval Marian antiphon. Sung after Compline for part of the liturgical year it was also added to the end of the Rosary. Francis Poulenc wrote his setting in 1941 some five years after a life changing pilgrimage to the Black Madonna at Rocamadour which together with the death of a close friend led to his return to the Catholic Church. The Quatre Motets pour un temps de pénitence were written in 1938/39. Settings of four Tenebrae responsaries: Timor et tremor, Vinea mea electa, Tenebrae factae sunt and Tristis est anima mea, they are amongst his finest religious works. With great economy Poulenc uses vivid word painting to describe key moments in the passion story. The Cantique de Jean Racine, op. 11 by Gabriel Fauré is probably the best known piece in our programme and was written in 1864/65 when the composer was only nineteen years old. The text by Jean Racine is a paraphrase of a Latin Matins hymn. Originally written for piano or organ accompaniment it was actually first performed with strings and organ. O sacrum Convivium by Olivier Messiaen was written in 1937. The words by St. Thomas Aquinas are from a hymn for the . Messiaen held the position of titular organist at La Sainte Trinité from 1931 until his death in 1992. A devout catholic, his faith was the inspiration for nearly all his compositions, although remarkably he wrote only this one short work for the liturgy. Pierre Villette was a pupil of Duruflé and greatly influenced by Fauré, Poulenc and Messiaen. He was also interested in , mediaeval music and jazz. His Hymne à la Vierge, perhaps his best known work, shows all these influences.

Armand Vivet was assistant organist at St. Augustine, Paris and his short Pie Jesu is his best known work. Marcel Dupré was a virtuoso organist who excelled at improvisation. He gave recitals all over the world and Messiaen was one of his pupils. He held the post of titular organist of St. Sulpice, Paris from 1934 until his death. His 4 Motets, op. 9 were written in 1916 for four different churches in Paris. O Salutaris and Tantum ergo are settings of hymns by St. Thomas Aquinas for the Feast of Corpus Christi, both used at Benediction. Ave Maria is a setting for women’s voices. Laudate Dominum, the most exuberant of the four motets, is a setting of words from Psalm 116 which is also sung at Benediction.

PROGRAMME

Quatre Motets sur des thèmes grégoriens, op. 10 Maurice Duruflé (1902-1986) Ubi caritas Tota pulchra es Maria Tu es Petrus Tantum ergo

Salve Regina Francis Poulenc (1899-1963)

Quatre Motets pour un temps de pénitence Timor et tremor Vinea mea electa Tenebrae factae sunt Tristis est anima mea*

Cantique de Jean Racine, op.11 Gabriel Fauré (1845-1924)

interval

O Sacrum Convivium Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992)

Hymne à la Vierge* Pierre Villette (1926–1998)

Pie Jesu Armand Vivet (1869-1956)

4 Motets op.9 Marcel Dupré (1886–1971) Ave Maria Tantum ergo Laudate

*Soprano solo Hilary Sellers Quatre Motets sur des thèmes grégoriens Maurice Duruflé Ubi caritas Ubi caritas et amor, Where charity and love are found, Deus ibi est. God is also there. Congregavit nos in unum Christi amor. The love of Christ has gathered us in one body. Exsultemus, et in ipso jucundemur. Let us rejoice and be happy in him. Timeamus, et amemus Deum vivum. Let us fear and love the living God, Et ex corde diligamus nos sincero. and with a sincere heart, let us love one another. Amen Amen Tota pulchra es Tota pulchra es, Maria, You are wholly beautiful, Mary, et macula originalis non est in te. and original sin is not found in you. Vestimentum tuum candidum quasi nix, Your vesture is as white as snow et facies tua sicut sol. and your face is like the sun. Tota pulchra es, Maria, You are wholly beautiful, Mary, et macula originalis non est in te. and original sin is not found in you. Tu gloria Jerusalem, You are the glory of Jerusalem. tu laetitia Israel, You are the joy of Israel. tu honorificentia populi nostri. You are the honour of all people. Tota pulchra es, Maria. You are wholly beautiful, Mary. Tu es Petrus Tu es Petrus et super hanc petram You are Peter and upon this rock aedificabo Ecclesiam meam I shall build my Church.

Tantum ergo Tantum ergo Sacramentum Let us venerate this great sacrament, Veneremur cernui: bowing low. Et antiquum documentum May the old symbol give way Novo cedat ritui: to the new rite. Praestet fides supplementum May faith supplement Sensuum defectui. our defective senses. Genitori, Genitoque To the Father and the Son, Laus et jubilatio praise and jubilation, Salus, honor, virtus quoque salvation, honour, Sit et benedictio: power and blessing be given. Procedenti ab utroque Equal praise to the Spirit Compar sit laudatio. Amen. who proceeds from them both. Amen. Salve Regina Francis Poulenc Salve Regina, Mater Misericordiae, Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra, Salve! our life, our sweetness and our hope. Ad te clamamus, exsules filii Evae; To you do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes, to you do we send up our sighs, In hac lacrimarum valle. mourning and weeping in this vale of tears. Eja ergo, Advocata nostra, Turn then, most gracious Advocate, illos tuos misericordes oculos ad nos converte your eyes of mercy toward us; et Jesum, benedictum fructum ventris tui, and after this our exile, nobis, post hoc exilium, ostende. show to us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus. O clemens, O pia, O dulcis Virgo Maria. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.

Fresco depicting Virgin of the Rose by Jean Cocteau from Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Jérusalem, Frejus Quatre Motets pour un temps de pénitence Francis Poulenc Timor et tremor Timor et tremor venerunt super me, Fear and terror have come upon me; et caligo cecidit super me: shadows have covered me. miserere mei Domine, Have mercy on me, O Lord; have mercy. quoniam in te confidit anima mea. I commend my soul unto you. Exaudi Deus deprecationem meam O Lord, hear my prayer quia refugium meum es for you are my refuge and my strong help. tu adjutor fortis. All-powerful Lord I call upon you. Domine, invocavi te, non confundar. Let me never be confounded.

Vinea mea electa Vinea mea electa, ego te plantavi: O my vine that I have chosen! I planted you: quomodo conversa how are you changed es in amaritudinem, your sweetness to bitterness, ut me crucifigeres et Barrabam dimitteres. by crucifying me and releasing Barabbas? Sepivi te, I protected you et lapides elegi ex te, and took away the stones that hindered you et ædificavi turrim. building a tower for your defence.

Tenebrae factae sunt Tenebrae factae sunt, Darkness covered the earth, dum crucifixissent Jesum Judaei: when the Jews crucified Jesus, et circa horam nonam and at about the ninth hour exclamavit Jesus voce magna: Jesus let forth a great cry, saying: ‘Deus meus, ut quid me dereliquisti?’ ‘My God, why have You forsaken me?’ Et inclinato capite, emisit spiritum. And lowering his head, he gave up his spirit. Exclamans Jesus voce magna, ait: Jesus, crying out in a great voice, said: ‘Pater, in manus tuas commendo spiritum meum.’ ‘Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.’ Tristis est anima mea Tristis est anima mea usque ad mortem: My soul is sad even unto death. sustinete hic, et vigilate mecum: Stay here, and watch with me. nunc videbitis turbam, quæ circumdabit me: Soon you will see a crowd of men surround me. Vos fugam capietis, You will flee, et ego vadam immolari pro vobis. and I will go to be sacrificed for you. Ecce appropinquat hora, et Filius hominis Here is the approaching hour when the Son of man tradetur in manus peccatorum. will be delivered into the hands of sinful man. Cantique de Jean Racine Gabriel Fauré Verbe égal au Très-Haut, Word of God, one with the Most High, notre unique espérance, In Whom alone we have our hope, Jour éternel de la terre et des cieux, Everlasting light of heaven and earth, De la paisible nuit nous rompons le silence: We break the silence of the peaceful night; Divin sauveur, jette sur nous les yeux. Saviour Divine, cast thine eyes upon us!

Répands sur nous le feu de ta grâce puissante; Pour on us the fire of thy mighty grace, Que tout l’enfer fuie au son de ta voix; That all hell may flee at the sound of thy voice; Dissipe ce sommeil d’une âme languissante Banish the slumber of a weary soul, Qui la conduit à l’oubli de tes lois! That brings forgetfulness of thy laws!

O Christ! sois favorable O Christ, look with favour à ce peuple fidèle, upon thy faithful people Pour te bénir maintenant assemblé; Now gathered here to praise thee; Reçois les chants qu’il offre à ta gloire immortelle, Receive their hymns offered to thy endless glory; Et de tes dons qu’il retourne comblé. May they go forth filled with thy gifts.

Stained glass panel depicting Knights of the Holy Sepulchre by Jean Cocteau from Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Jérusalem, Frejus O Sacrum Convivium Olivier Messiaen O sacrum convivium! O sacred banquet! in quo Christus sumitur: in which Christ is received, recolitur memoria passionis ejus: the memory of his Passion is renewed, mens impletur gratia, et futurae gloriae the mind is filled with grace, nobis pignus datur. and a pledge of future glory to us is given. Alleluia. Alleluia. Hymne à la Vierge Pierre Villette O toute belle Vierge Marie, O fairest Virgin Mary, votre âme trouve en Dieu le parfait amour. your soul finds in God the perfect love. Il vous revêt du manteau de la Grâce, He clothes you with the mantle of Grace comme une fiancée parée de ses joyaux. like a bride adorned with all her jewels. Alleluia, alleluia, Alleluia, alleluia, Je vais chanter ta louange, Seigneur, I will sing your praise, Lord, car tu as pris soin de moi, for you have cared for me, car tu m’as enveloppée du voile de l’innocence. you have wrapped me in the veil of purity. Vous êtes née avant les collines, You were born before the hills were made, O sagesse de Dieu, Porte du Salut. O wisdom of God, Gate of Salvation. Heureux celui qui marche dans vos traces, Happy are they who follow in your footsteps, qui apprête son coeur who make their hearts ready a la voix de vos conseils. to hear the voice of your counsels. Alleluia, alleluia, Alleluia, alleluia, Je vais chanter ta louange, Seigneur, I will sing your praise, Lord, car tu m’as faite avant le jour, for you created me before the day, car tu m’as fait précéder for you made me before le jaillissement des sources. the bubbling of the streams. Avant les astres vous étiez presente, Before the stars were made you were there, Mère du Createur, au profond du ciel; Mother of the Creator, in the heights of heaven; Quand Dieu fixait les limites du monde When God fixed the limits of the world vous partagiez son coeur you were there in his heart étant a l’oeuvre avec lui. and with him in his handiwork. O toute belle Vierge Marie O fairest Virgin Mary. Pie Jesu Armand Vivet Pie Jesu Domine Sweet Lord Jesus, dona eis requiem. grant them rest. Pie Jesu Domine Sweet Lord Jesus, dona eis requiem sempiternam. grant them everlasting rest. 4 Motets Marcel Dupré O salutaris Hostia O salutaris Hostia, O saving Victim, Quae caeli pandis ostium: opening wide the gate of Heaven to us below; Bella premunt hostilia, Our foes press hard on every side; Da robur, fer auxilium. Your aid supply; Your strength bestow.

Ave Maria Ave Maria, gratia plena, Hail Mary, full of grace, Dominus tecum. the Lord is with thee; Benedicta tu in mulieribus, Blessed art thou amongst women, et benedictus fructus ventris tui, Jesu. and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, Holy Mary, Mother of God, ora pro nobis peccatoribus, pray for us sinners, nunc et in hora mortis nostrae. now and at the hour of our death. Amen. Amen.

Tantum Ergo Tantum ergo Sacramentum Let us venerate this great sacrament, Veneremur cernui: bowing low. Et antiquum documentum May the old symbol give way Novo cedat ritui: to the new rite. Praestet fides supplementum May faith supplement Sensuum defectui. our defective senses. Genitori, Genitoque To the Father and the Son, Laus et jubilatio, praise and jubilation, Salus, honor, virtus quoque Salvation, honour, Sit et benedictio: power and blessing be given. Procedenti ab utroque Equal praise to the Spirit Compar sit laudatio. who proceeds from them both. Amen. Amen.

Laudate Dominum Laudate Dominum, omnes gentes: Praise the Lord, all you nations; Laudate eum, omnes populi. Praise him, all you peoples. Quoniam confirmata est super nos misericordia ejus: His mercy for us is strong; Et veritas Domini manet in aeternum. the faithfulness of the Lord is for ever. colchester chamber choir Director Roderick Earle one equal music

A candle-lit concert of unaccompanied works by Stanford, Elgar, Holst, Harris, Howells, Walton, Barber & Lauridsen

Saturday 9 February 2013 7.30pm St Teresa’s Church, Clairmont Road, Colchester CO3 9BE Help the choir by giving us your financial support Each year, Colchester Chamber Choir performs to around 1,000 highly discerning audience members both in Colchester and the wider area of East Anglia. Hundreds buy our programmes, visit our website and thousands read our posters.

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Colchester Chamber Choir is available to perform at festivals or other public events. In June 2013 we are performing again at Harwich Festival of the Arts. To discuss this or other ways of supporting and sponsoring the choir please contact the Choir Chairman Peter Newton on 01206 572883 or email [email protected]

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