Previous Events

A NOTE FROM THE CONDUCTOR

A call in the night. A whisper in the darkness. There is power here. To whom do you call in the night? Your beloved? Your God? A parent, child, or friend? Is it a call of joy? Despair? Hope? Oh! My Night Love! The first part of the program explores the prayer of the faithful. We begin during the High Renaissance with O Vos Omnes and Agnus Dei. Here the clarity of line and fluidity of imitation allow the poignancy of the text to take center stage. Next composer Maurice Duruflé uses the power of the ancient Ubi caritas chant to structure his call for charity and love. The set ends with Ave Maria, a combination prayer to and of the Virgin Mary.

The next set, all by American composers, explores the call of love. Love is a Rain of Diamonds is characterized by a sparkling piano accompaniment whose main theme, a pattern of falling fourths and thirds, is echoed by the soprano soloists. In Sure on this shining night, Barber recalls the German Romantic music of composers such as Brahms and Schubert. These characteristics are seen in the soaring melody, the abundant imitation, and the steady choral pulsing of the piano accompaniment. We conclude our set with Eric’s Whitacre’s With a Lily in Your Hand, an intense and rhythmically complex setting of Federico Garcia Lorca’s incomparable poem. The bold and passionate opening of this piece was the musical and theological inspiration for our entire program. 

Our next set, foreshadowed by Barber, takes us to 19th century Germany. Die Nachtigall is a German folksong that enjoys the comfort and pleasure a well known love song can bring. Mendelssohn’s setting emphasizes the graceful melody while maintaining the folksong’s charm and simplicity. Die Nacht and Lebenslust, both by Franz Schubert, enjoy the night from the opposite end of the spectrum. Die Nacht revels in the peaceful, quiet, beauty of the stars and of spring. In contrast, Lebenslust is a rollicking good time, extolling the virtue of friendship. 

Our closing set brings us full circle with Joseph Flummerfelt’s rich setting of the traditional folksong, Danny Boy. “Ye’ll come and find the place where I am lying, and kneel and say an ‘Ave’ there for me.” Our program concludes with Moses Hogan’s powerful arrangement of Didn’t My Lord Deliver Daniel?

We hope our program has brought you joy, peace, and perhaps something to ponder as you leave. Thank you for sharing Oh! My Night Love! with us.