SAVANNAH MUSIC FESTIVAL 30TH FESTIVAL SEASON MARCH 28–APRIL 13, 2019

PROGRAM NOTES BY JAMES M. POTTER, 2016

THE TALLIS SCHOLARS DIRECTOR PETER PHILLIPS Tuesday, April 9 at 6 pm Trinity United Methodist Church The Sistine Chapel, the heart of the Vatican in The patronage of the papacy was keenly sought Rome, is well-known for having bequeathed a by Renaissance musicians. For a time, Spanish treasure trove of visual art to posterity. With composers had an advantage due to a succession “INSPIRED BY one notable exception, it is rather less known of Spanish popes who held them in high esteem. THE SISTINE CHAPEL” for the musical treasures which it has nurtured Cristóbal de Morales was one such beneficiary, GIOVANI PIERLUIGI DA PALESTRINA for many centuries. In many cases this is due spending a considerable portion of his life in the (1525–1594) to the jealous guarding of the music by a series employ of the Capella Sistina. Regina caeli, a Missa Assumpta est Maria (Kyrie) of popes, who would not allow certain pieces to setting of the ancient hymn to Mary, could well CRISTÓBAL DE MORALES (1500–1553) pass beyond the walls of the chapel. Such is the have been first performed here. Regina caeli case, famously, of Gregorio Allegri’s Miserere, PALESTRINA which acquired such a mystique through the A contemporary of Morales, Costanzo Festa was Missa Ecce ego Johannes (Gloria) Sistine Chapel’s monopoly that tracing its journey one of the first Italian polyphonic composers to COSTANZO FESTA (1495–1545) has become one of the most intriguing musical achieve high renown. His sacred music would be Quam pulchra es problems of our time. a great influence on Palestrina, and his madrigals helped birth a new secular tradition. Quam ELZEA GENET CARPENTRAS (?–1548) Lamentations Tonight’s program allows us a privileged pulchra es, a passage from the Song of Songs glimpse into the heyday of the Vatican of the set for high voices, displays Festa’s gift for easy, PALESTRINA high Renaissance. The power and prestige of flowing polyphony. Missa Papae Marcelli (Credo) the papacy was at its apex, and before long the INTERMISSION Council of Trent would spur liturgists and artists Like many others at the time, the composer to the heights of the Counter-Reformation. In this Carpentras spent considerable energy securing GREGORIO ALLEGRI (C. 1582–1652) spirit, the continuity in this program is provided patronage for his artistic activity. Having been Miserere by that most prolific of polyphonists, Giovanni master of the papal chapel in 1514 for Pope Leo PALESTRINA Pierluigi da Palestrina. Rather than choose just X, he made a swift exit after Leo was replaced Missa Confitebor tibi domine one setting of the Ordinary of the Mass, Director by the rather less musical Adrian VI, only to (Sanctus & Benedictus) Peter Phillips has chosen individual movements return after a new pope was elected a year ALEXANDER CAMPKIN (B. 1984) from five different masses, forming a composite later. Intriguingly—and foreshadowing the later Miserere Mei which shows the remarkable breadth and corruption of Allegri’s music—he returned to JOSQUIN DES PREZ (C. 1450–1521) consistency of Palestrina’s style. the Sistine Chapel to find his music still being Inter natos mulierum performed, but in “bastardized versions,” “so Many of the masses are in the so-called missa corrupted…that I scarcely recognized them.” He PALESTRINA Missa brevis (Agnus Dei) parodia or “parody mass” form, meaning their resolved to republish the works—dedicating the music is based on a preexisting work, usually a collection to the new Pope, Clement VII—which motet. Hence Missa Assumpta est Maria, which include many settings of the Lamentations draws its material from a six-voice motet for of Jeremiah. It is no surprise that these were Peter Phillips, Director the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The hugely popular at the time; passages of sonorous Charlotte Ashley, soprano Credo comes from the famous Missa Papae homophony vie in beauty with the austere Emily Atkinson, soprano Marcelli, supposedly written to prove that sacred Hebrew letters, which, following convention, are Amy Haworth, soprano music could be both beautiful and intelligible, set to long, flowing melisma: “ritualized weeping Emma Walshe, soprano after officials at the Council of Trent considered in music.” David Gould, alto banning complex polyphony. Certainly the Caroline Trevor, alto prevalence of syllabic declamation in this Of course, no piece of music in the history of Steven Harrold, tenor movement suggests a particular concern that the the Sistine Chapel is more famous than Allegri’s Simon Wall, tenor words be understood. The mighty Sanctus is from Miserere. The Papacy wanted it that way—a Simon Whiteley, bass a mass based on the double-choir Confitebor tibi, secret composition of such beauty that it could Rob Macdonald, bass whilst the Agnus Dei is from the Missa brevis, not be allowed beyond the walls of the Vatican, a mass which, despite its name, is not a great it magnified their power and status. However, deal shorter than any of the others! Instead, in just as Carpentras’ music had been tweaked the second statement of this freely-composed beyond his recognition, Allegri’s was to suffer the movement, Palestrina adds a further voice to manipulations of every age which followed, enrich the polyphony.

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leaving the version we have today, which would TEXTS & TRANSLATIONS the right hand of God the Father, have mercy be all but unrecognizable to the composer. upon us. A large part of this is due to the process of ornamentation with which the highly trained Missa Assumpta est Maria (Kyrie) For thou only art Holy; thou only art the Lord; papal singers would embellish their parts, leading by Giovani Pierluigi da Palestrina thou only, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost, art Most to the now-obligatory high C. Regardless of its Kyrie eleison. Christe eleison. Kyrie eleison. High in the glory of God the Father. Amen. authenticity, this tortuous musical journey has left us with one of the most beautiful choral Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have Quam pulchra es pieces of all time. mercy. by Costanzo Festa

About his composition of Miserere Mei, Quam pulchra es et quam decora Regina caeli Alexander Campkin writes: Quam pulchra es, amica mea, columba mea by Cristóbal de Morales Formosa mea, Veni dilecta mea I will always remember hearing Allegri’s Regina caeli laetare, alleluia, Vox enim tua dulcis, et facies decora nimis Miserere for the first time. I was struck by Quia quem meruisti portare, alleluia, the beauty of the music and the emotions Resurrexit sicut dixit, alleluia. How beautiful and fair you are that it conveyed. This was a recording of the Ora pro nobis Deum, alleluia. How beautiful, my soul, my dove Allegri by the Tallis Scholars, a recording My beauty, come my joy which has remained close to my heart Queen of heaven, rejoice, alleluia, Your truly sweet voice, and exceeding fair visage ever since. I was therefore thrilled to be For he whom thou wast worthy to bear, alleluia, commissioned by this choir to write a new Hath risen as he said, alleluia. Lamentations setting of the same text. Pray for us to God, alleluia. by Elzea Genet Carpentras

The new piece reflects my emotional (bars 1 to 240 and 320 to the end) Missa Ecce ego Johannes (Gloria) response to Allegri’s strikingly moving by Giovani Pierluigi da Palestrina Miserere. Like the Allegri, it is scored for Incipit lamentatio Ieremiae prophetae. double choir. Two musical elements are Gloria in excelsis Deo, et in terra pax hominibus Aleph. Quomodo sedet sola civitas plena contrasted: that of the main choir and a bonae voluntatis. Laudamus te; benedicimus te; populo: facta est quasi vidua domina gentium: more lyrical section sung by the off-stage adoramus te; glorificamus te. Gratias agimus tibi princeps provinciarum facta est sub tributo. solo group. As these sections alternate, propter magnam gloriam tuam, Domine Deus, Rex Beth. Plorans ploravit in nocte, et lacrimae the piece gradually builds in intensity with caelestis, Deus Pater omnipotens. eius in maxillis eius: non est qui consoletur suspension after suspension. The harmony eam ex omnibus caris eius: omnes amici eius is intensified as the first soprano soars to Domine Fili unigenite, Jesu Christe; Domine Deus, spreverunt eam, et facti sunt inimici. a high C, hitting the climax on the words Agnus Dei, Filius Patris, qui tollis peccata mundi, “Libera me de sanguinibus” (“Deliver me miserere nobis; qui tollis peccata mundi, suscipe Ierusalem, Ierusalem, convertere ad Dominum from blood guiltless”). deprecationem nostram; qui sedes ad dexteram Deum tuum. Patris, miserere nobis. Many a famous composer would leave their Here begins the Lamentation of the prophet mark—quite literally in this case—in the Sistine Quoniam tu solus Sanctus; tu solus Dominus; Jeremiah. Chapel. The scrawl “JOSQUINJ” on the wall tu solus altissimus, Jesu Christe, cum Sancto Aleph. How desolate the city lies that was testifies to the composer Josquin’s membership Spiritu, in gloria Dei Patris. Amen. once thronged with people. The one-time queen of the papal chapel, where he likely composed of nations has become as a widow. Once a ruler many works. Josquin’s considerable fame during Glory be to God on high, and in earth peace, of provinces, she is now subject to others. and after his lifetime has led to the misattribution goodwill towards men. We praise thee; we bless Beth. By night she weeps in sorrow and tears of many of his compositions. The authorship of thee; we worship thee; we glorify thee. We give run down her cheeks. Of all who love her, there’s the motet Inter natos mulierum is considered thanks to thee for thy great glory, O Lord God, none to console her. All her friends have spurned doubtful by scholars. All of its sources are heavenly king, God the Father almighty. her and have become her foes. posthumous and the style perhaps represents a slightly later composer, perhaps another musician O Lord the only-begotten Son, Jesu Christ; O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, return to the Lord your associated with the Vatican. Nevertheless, its Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that God. rich, full texture is distinctly satisfying. takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us; thou that takest away the sins of the world, receive our prayer; thou that sittest at

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Missa Papae Marcelli (Credo) by Giovani Pierluigi da Palestrina And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord, and Quoniam si voluisses sacrificium giver of life, who proceeds from the Father dedissem utique; holocaustis non delectaberis. Credo in unum Deum, Patrem omnipotentem, and the Son; who with the Father and the Son Sacrificium Deo spiritus contribulatus: factorem caeli et terrae, visibilium omnium is worshipped and glorified, who spoke by the cor contritum et humiliatum, et invisibilium. Et in unum Dominum Jesum prophets. Deus, non despicies. Christum, Filium Dei unigenitum, et ex Patre Benigne fac, Domine, natum ante omnia saecula. Deum de Deo; Lumen And I believe in one holy, catholic and apostolic in bona voluntate tua Sion, de Lumine; Deum verum de Deo vero; genitum, Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the ut aedificentur muri Jerusalem. non factum; consubstantialem Patri; per quem remission of sins. And I look for the resurrection Tunc acceptabis sacrificium iustitiae, omnia facta sunt. of the dead, and the life of the world to come. oblationes, et holocausta: Amen. tunc imponent super altare tuum vitulos. Qui propter nos homines, et propter nostram salutem descendit de caelis, et incarnatus est de Have mercy upon me, O God, Miserere Spiritu Sancto, ex Maria Virgine, et homo factus according to your great mercy by Gregorio Allegri est. Crucifixus etiam pro nobis sub Pontio Pilato; and according to the abundance passus et sepultus est. Miserere mei Deus, of your compassion blot out my transgressions. secundum magnam misericordiam tuam. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity Et resurrexit tertia die secundum Scripturas; et Et secundum multitudinem and cleanse me from my sin. ascendit in caelum, sedet ad dexteram Patris; et miserationum tuarum dele iniquitatem meam. For I acknowledge my offense iterum venturus est cum gloria judicare vivos et Amplius lava me ab iniquitate mea and my sin is ever before me. mortuos; cuius regni non erit finis. et a peccato meo munda me. Quoniam iniquitatem meam ego cognosco Against you only have I sinned, Et in Spiritum Sanctum, Dominum et vivificantem, et peccatum meum contra me est semper. and done what is evil in your sight qui ex Patre Filioque procedit; qui cum Patre et that you may be justified in your sentence Filio simul adoratur et conglorificatur; qui locutus Tibi soli peccavi and vindicated when you judge. est per prophetas; et malum coram te feci, Behold, in guilt was I conceived ut justificeris in sermonibus tuis and in sin did my mother conceive me. Et unam sanctam catholicam et apostolicam et vincas cum judicaris. Behold, your delight in sincerity of heart Ecclesiam. Confiteor unum baptisma in Ecce enim in iniquitatibus conceptus sum and in my inmost being remissionem peccatorum. Et exspecto et in peccatis concepit me mater mea. you teach me wisdom. resurrectionem mortuorum, et vitam venturi Ecce enim veritatem dilexisti: Cleanse me with hyssop and I shall be purified; saeculi. Amen. incerta et occulta sapientiae tuae wash me and I shall be whiter than snow. manifestasti mihi. I believe in one God, the Father almighty, Maker Asperges me hyssopo et mundabor; Let me hear the sounds of joy and gladness; of heaven and earth, and of all things visible lavabis me et super nivem dealbabor. the bones which you have crushed shall rejoice. and invisible. And in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the Avert your face from my sins, only-begotten Son of God, begotten of his Father Auditui meo dabis gaudium et laetitiam and blot out all my iniquity. before all worlds. God of God; Light of Light; et exsultabunt ossa humiliata. Create in me a clean heart, O God, very God of very God; begotten, not made: being Averte faciem tuam a peccatis meis And renew in me a righteous spirit. of one substance with the Father; by whom all et omnes iniquitates meas dele. Cast me not out from your presence, things were made. Cor mundum crea in me, Deus, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. et spiritum rectum innova in visceribus meis. Who for us men, and for our salvation, came Ne projicias me a facie tua, Give me the joy of your salvation down from heaven, and was incarnate by the et spiritum sanctum tuum ne auferas a me. and sustain in me a willing spirit. Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, and was made I shall teach transgressors your ways, man. And was crucified also for us under Pontius Redde mihi laetitiam salutaris tui and sinners shall return to you. Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. et spiritu principali confirma me. Deliver me from blood guiltiness, Docebo iniquos vias tuas O God, God of my salvation, And the third day he rose again according to et impii ad te convertentur. and my tongue shall exalt your justice. the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and Libera me de sanguinibus, O Lord, open my lips, is seated at the right hand of the Father; and he Deus, Deus salutis meae, and my mouth shall proclaim your praise. shall come again with glory to judge both the et exsultabit lingua mea justitiam tuam. quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have Domine labia mea aperies, no end. et os meum annuntiabit laudem tuam.

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For you are not pleased with sacrifices, Libera me de sanguinibus, Deus, O Lamb of God, that takes away the sins of the else would I give them to you; Deus salutis meae, world, have mercy on us. neither do you delight in burnt offerings. Et exultabit lingua mea justitiam tuam. O Lamb of God, that takes away the sins of the The sacrifice of God is a contrite heart: world, have mercy on us. a broken and contrite heart, Have mercy upon me, O God, O Lamb of God, that takes away the sins of the O God, you will not despise. according to thy loving kindness: world, grant us thy peace.

Be favorable and gracious, According unto the multitude of thy tender unto Sion, O Lord, mercies, build again the walls of Jerusalem. blot out my transgressions. Then you shall be pleased with the sacrifice of righteousness Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, oblations and burnt offerings; and cleanse me from my sin. they shall offer young bulls upon your altar. For l acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Missa Confitebor tibi domine (Sanctus & Benedictus) Against thee, thee only, have l sinned, by Giovani Pierluigi da Palestrina and done this evil in thy sight; Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus Dominus Deus that thou mightest be justified when thou Sabaoth. speakest, Pleni sunt caeli et terra gloria tua. and be clear when thou judgest. Hosanna in excelsis. Deliver me from blood guiltiness, O God, Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini. thou God of my salvation; Osanna in excelsis. and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of hosts. Heaven and earth are full of thy glory. Inter natos mulierum Glory be to thee, O Lord most high. by Josquin des Prez Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Inter natos mulierum non surrexit maior Ioanne Hosanna in the highest. Baptista Qui viam Domino praeparavit in heremo. Alleluia. Fuit homo missus a Deo cui nomen erat Ioannes. Miserere Mei Alleluia. by Alexander Campkin Miserere mei, Deus, Among them that are born of women there hath secundum magnam misericordiam tuam: not risen a greater than John the Baptist, who prepared the way of the Lord in the Et secundum multitudinem miserationum tuarum, wilderness. Alleluia. dele iniquitatem meam. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. Alleluia. Amplius lava me ab iniquitate mea, Et a peccato meo munda me. Missa brevis (Agnus Dei) by Giovani Pierluigi da Palestrina Quoniam iniquitatem meam ego cognosco, Et peccatum meum contra me est semper Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis Tibi soli peccavi, Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere Et malum coram te feci; nobis. Ut justificeris in sermonibus tuis, Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona nobis Et vincas cum judicaris. pacem.

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