I Look From Afar
Saturday 20 November 2010
St Augustine’s Anglican Church, Hamilton
Music for Advent and Christmas
“We look from afar, back to the birth of Jesus Christ, and invite you to join us on our journey this evening. Our programme is centred around Charpentier’s In nativitatem Domini Nostri Jesu Christi Canticum during this advent season, a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas. This brief oratorio has several pastoral elements in its simplistic instrumental accompaniment and the beautifully crafted melodies sung by the narrator, angel, shepherds, and the evangelist.
To enhance the beauty of Charpentier’s writing, the performance of his oratorio will be surrounded by Jean Mouton’s Nesciens mater, and Tomás Luis de Victoria’s O magnum mysterium.
The fresh sounds of Algirdas Martinaitis’ Alleluia will cleanse the listening palate as we then move through time to the twentieth century with Kenneth Leighton’s Lully, lulla, thou little tiny child. These words (taken from the Pageant of the Shearmen and Tailors) are sung by the women of Bethlehem in the drama just before Herod’s soldiers come in to slaughter their children.
The final section of this evening’s programme takes us into the world of relationships and friendship. Paul Bonetti’s The Angel and the Girl, lures us, through the text of Edwin Muir, into Muir’s view of the relationship between the Angel and Mary. While Gerardo Dirié’s Two Hands or Wings takes the words of Mateo Ricci and delivers a message of friendship, tolerance and mutual understanding. We are delighted that you are able to experience this world première of Two Hands or Wings.”
St Augustine’s Anglican Church, Hamilton
Music for Advent and Christmas
“We look from afar, back to the birth of Jesus Christ, and invite you to join us on our journey this evening. Our programme is centred around Charpentier’s In nativitatem Domini Nostri Jesu Christi Canticum during this advent season, a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas. This brief oratorio has several pastoral elements in its simplistic instrumental accompaniment and the beautifully crafted melodies sung by the narrator, angel, shepherds, and the evangelist.
To enhance the beauty of Charpentier’s writing, the performance of his oratorio will be surrounded by Jean Mouton’s Nesciens mater, and Tomás Luis de Victoria’s O magnum mysterium.
The fresh sounds of Algirdas Martinaitis’ Alleluia will cleanse the listening palate as we then move through time to the twentieth century with Kenneth Leighton’s Lully, lulla, thou little tiny child. These words (taken from the Pageant of the Shearmen and Tailors) are sung by the women of Bethlehem in the drama just before Herod’s soldiers come in to slaughter their children.
The final section of this evening’s programme takes us into the world of relationships and friendship. Paul Bonetti’s The Angel and the Girl, lures us, through the text of Edwin Muir, into Muir’s view of the relationship between the Angel and Mary. While Gerardo Dirié’s Two Hands or Wings takes the words of Mateo Ricci and delivers a message of friendship, tolerance and mutual understanding. We are delighted that you are able to experience this world première of Two Hands or Wings.”
- Matin Responsory – Palestrina
- Nesciens mater – Jean Mouton
- In nativitatem Domini nostri Jesu Christi canticum – Marc-Antoine Charpentier
- O Magnum Mysterium – Tomás Luis de Victoria
- Alleluia – Algirdas Martinaitis
- Two Hands or Wings – Gerardo Dirié (world premiere)
- Lully, lulla, Thou little tiny child – Kenneth Leighton
- The Angel and the Girl – Paul-Antoni Bonetti
- Carol to St Stephen – Jack Body
Singers
Soprano: Katherine Chan, Cathy Green, Sara Grims, Bronwyn Mitchell, Sarvenaz Monfaredi, Bonnie Pearce, Rebecca Thomas
Alto: Jody Bell, Celia Fitz-Walter, Nicki Jenkins, Alisen McLeod
Tenor: Bruce Addison, Chris Bradley, Shannon Leonard, Tim Smetham
Bass: Paul Bonetti, Tim Grantham, Robin Maurer, Jim McNicol, Gino Sanidad
Instrumentalists
Alicia Ninnes, violin
Rosemary Franklin, violin
Michael Lam, cello
John Stefulj, saxophone
Emma Hadfield, organ
View programme
Soprano: Katherine Chan, Cathy Green, Sara Grims, Bronwyn Mitchell, Sarvenaz Monfaredi, Bonnie Pearce, Rebecca Thomas
Alto: Jody Bell, Celia Fitz-Walter, Nicki Jenkins, Alisen McLeod
Tenor: Bruce Addison, Chris Bradley, Shannon Leonard, Tim Smetham
Bass: Paul Bonetti, Tim Grantham, Robin Maurer, Jim McNicol, Gino Sanidad
Instrumentalists
Alicia Ninnes, violin
Rosemary Franklin, violin
Michael Lam, cello
John Stefulj, saxophone
Emma Hadfield, organ
View programme