Drexel University's Department of Performing Arts pre sents

Sunday, December 4, 2005 3:00 p.m. Main Auditorium

Program Notes

We are taking one of our periodic trips through music history, beginning in the early Renaissance period and ending in the avant-garde contemporary. This journey begins in the early 15th century with a motet by the English composer John Dunstable (c. 1390–1453) . Dunstable’s chief claim to fame lies in his use of the triad at most cadence points; his contemporaries and predecessors always ended their compositions on an open fi fth. The three-part motet we’ll perform this afternoon, Quam Pulchra Es, uses tempus perfect (triple meter, since the number three—tempus perfect (triple meter, since the number three—tempus perfectrepresenting the Holy Trinity—is the “perfect” number) and fl exible, non-imitative polyphony to create a lovely shifting texture which eventually resolves into his, at that time revolutionary, triads.

We then move forward 150 years to the mature Renaissance and a piece by the greatest of the English composers from the Elizabethan period. William Byrd (1543–1623) wrote in every style from the period, but he is the acknowledged master of the anthem (the Anglican version of the motet, created after Henry VIII created the Church of England in the mid-16th century). It is a mark of the respect in which Byrd was held that he could continue to write Catholic motets as well, as many composers feared retribution if they fl outed the will of the royal family by doing so. The four-part Hodie Christus natus est of Byrd exhibits all of the late Renaissance Hodie Christus natus est of Byrd exhibits all of the late Renaissance Hodie Christus natus estfeatures: polyphony that converges to homophony at important points, a mixture of duple and triple rhythms, and full use of triadic harmony throughout.

Another 150-year jump brings us to the “progressive” Baroque. In the late Baroque period two styles of music vied for supremacy: the conservative (fugal polyphonic) represented by J.S. Bach, and the “progressive” (melody dominated) music of composers such as Telemann and Pergolesi. In Pergolesi, we have one of the great talents of music—a man who died at age 26, but still left an indelible mark on his time. This piece, Sing unto God, is a charming example of his craft.

Georg Philip Telemann (1681–1767) was the most popular composer in Germany during the late Baroque. The [true] story goes that when the position for Music Director at St. Thomaskirche opened up in the 1720s, Telemann was the unanimous choice of the elders for the position. He turned it down, and it eventually went to their third choice: J. S. Bach. This three-part setting of Laudate Jehovamdemonstrates Telemann’s numerous strengths: strong melodic writing, combined with superb text setting and rhythmic vitality.

Our next move forward is around 100 years. Felix Mendelssohn (1809–1847) was one of the great “conservative” Romantic-period composers. His music maintains ties with the earlier Classical period, with its transparent textures and traditional forms. Then shall a star come forth from Jacob, from the oratorio St. Paul, combines a lovely opening melody with a dramatic B section, ending with a chorale melody reminiscent of those of Bach.

Our fi nal leap takes us to the present, with pieces by three New England composers. Micheal Fink is a student of Daniel Pinkham’s, and Fink’s Jubilate Deo deliberately invokes the multi-meter and energy of Pinkham’s famous Christmas Cantata. Norman Dello Joio uses a mix of jazz-style harmonies and simple melodies in his lovely Holy Infant’s Lullaby, and Pinkham dabbles in the avant garde with his depiction of chaos using electronic tape with chorus in In the beginning of creation.

We end with two spirituals by two of the great arrangers of our time, Moses Hogan and William Dawson. Hogan infuses Good News, Chariot’s a comin’ with a hint of gospel feel and Dawson shows why his setting of Ezekiel saw de wheel remains the gold standard setting of this well-known spiritual.

The University Chorusand Chamber Singers

Past to Future

Program

Renaissance:Quam Pulchra Es .............................................. John Dunstable (c. 1390–1453)Hodie Christus natus est .......................................... William Byrd (1543–1623)

Baroque:Glory to God in the Highest ............. Giovanni Battista Pergolesi (1710–1736)

Anna Klebanov, soprano Johanna Mikitka, mezzoJeffrey Arlen, tenor Chris Barron, bass

Laudate Jehovam, omnes gentes .............. Georg Philip Telemann (1681–1767)

Romantic:There shall a star come forth from Jacob ......... Felix Mendelssohn (1809–1847)

University Chorus

The Secular Renaissance:When from my love I looked for love ...................... John Bartlet (fl . 1606–1610)April is in my mistress’ face ............................ Thomas Morley (c. 1557–1602)O occhi, manza mia .......................................... Orlando di Lasso (1532–1594)As Flora slept .......................................................... John Hilton (c. 1599–1657)Sometime she would ............................................ Giles Farnaby (c. 1563–1640)Say gentle nymphs .................................................................... Thomas MorleyIl est bel et bon ................................................ Pierre Passereau (c. 1509–1547)

Chamber Singers

Intermission (10 minutes)Intermission (10 minutes)

Translations

Quam Pulchra EsHow fair and pleasant you are, O loved one in delights.You are stately as a palm tree, and your breasts are like its clusters.Your head crowns you like Carmel; your neck is like an ivory tower.Come, my beloved, let us go forth into the fieldsand see whether the grape blossoms have opened and the pomegranates are in bloom.There I will give you my love. Alleluia.

Hodie Christus natus estToday, Christ is born: today, the Savior has appeared,Today on Earth, the angels sing, the Archangels rejoice.Today, the righteous exult, saying: Glory to God in the highest.Alleluia.

Laudate Jehovam, omnes gentesLaudate Jehovam, omnes gentesPraise the Lord, all ye nations! Praise him, all ye people.For his loving kindness has been bestowed upon us, and the truth of the Lord endures forever.Alleluia.

Twentieth Century:Jubilate Deo .....................................................................................Michael FinkThe Holy Infant’s Lullaby .................................................... Norman Dello JoioIn the Beginning of Creation .....................................................Daniel Pinkham

Spirituals:Good News, the Chariot’s Comin’ ................................................. Moses HoganEzekiel saw the wheel ...............................................................William Dawson

Michael Maicher, tenor

Brian Dilts, pianoSteven Powell, conductor

University Chorus

Drexel ChorusDr. Steven Powell, directorBrian Dilts, accompanist

SopranoSopranoMarielle des Etages -------------------------------------------- BusinessJillian Giblin ------------------------------------------- Music IndustryTara L. Gremmel --------------------------- Construction ManagementKristin Imhoff ---------------------------------Kristin Imhoff ---------------------------------Kristin Imhoff Mechanical EngineeringAnna Klebanov -----------------------------Anna Klebanov -----------------------------Anna Klebanov Business/Higher EducationElizabeth Ko ------------------------------------------- Fashion DesignJacqueline Lawrence --------------------------------------------BiologyTeresa Lepak ------------------------------Teresa Lepak ------------------------------Teresa Lepak Screenwriting & Playwriting•#Johanna Mikitka ------------------- Architectural & Civil EngineeringMarielle Octaviano --------------------------------Information SystemsJamie Tijerina --------------------------------------------------BiologyAlison Toback --------------------------------------------------Alison Toback --------------------------------------------------Alison Toback Biology

Alto#Mahallani Bandong --------------------------#Mahallani Bandong --------------------------#Mahallani Bandong Mechanical EngineeringMissy Conley --------------------------------------------------Missy Conley --------------------------------------------------Missy Conley BusinessMadison Eggert-Crowe ------------------------------ History & Politics#Jennifer Fetter -------------------------------------------------#Jennifer Fetter -------------------------------------------------#Jennifer Fetter BiologyJennifer Gray -------------------------------------------Jennifer Gray -------------------------------------------Jennifer Gray Music IndustryKatelin Kloberg ----------------------------------------Katelin Kloberg ----------------------------------------Katelin Kloberg Interior DesignHeather Le ---------------------------------------------------- BusinessAbigail Raymond ------------------------------------- CommunicationsLeko Lin -------------------------------------- Biomedical EngineeringErica Louth -------------------------------------------- Interior DesignChelsea Meyer -----------------------------------------Chelsea Meyer -----------------------------------------Chelsea Meyer Graphic Design•Kate Sherlock -----------------------------------------•Kate Sherlock -----------------------------------------•Kate Sherlock Music IndustryKristen Sudhop --------------------------------------Teacher Education

TenorJeff Arlen ---------------------------------------------Biology/Pre-MedMike Byro ---------------------------------------------- Music IndustryDavid Eves ---------------------------------------------- Film & VideoMichael Jeff ers -------------------------------------------- Engineering•Michael Maicher -------------------------•Michael Maicher -------------------------•Michael Maicher Commerce and Engineering#Brian Summers ------------------------------------- Computer ScienceJordan Turkenkopf --------------------------------------Jordan Turkenkopf --------------------------------------Jordan Turkenkopf Music Industry

Drexel ChorusDr. Steven Powell, directorBrian Dilts, accompanist

SopranoSopranoMarielle des Etages -------------------------------------------- BusinessJillian Giblin ------------------------------------------- Music IndustryTara L. Gremmel --------------------------- Construction ManagementKristin Imhoff ---------------------------------Kristin Imhoff ---------------------------------Kristin Imhoff Mechanical EngineeringAnna Klebanov -----------------------------Anna Klebanov -----------------------------Anna Klebanov Business/Higher EducationElizabeth Ko ------------------------------------------- Fashion DesignJacqueline Lawrence --------------------------------------------BiologyTeresa Lepak ------------------------------Teresa Lepak ------------------------------Teresa Lepak Screenwriting & Playwriting•#Johanna Mikitka ------------------- Architectural & Civil EngineeringMarielle Octaviano --------------------------------Information SystemsJamie Tijerina --------------------------------------------------BiologyAlison Toback --------------------------------------------------Alison Toback --------------------------------------------------Alison Toback Biology

Alto#Mahallani Bandong --------------------------#Mahallani Bandong --------------------------#Mahallani Bandong Mechanical EngineeringMissy Conley --------------------------------------------------Missy Conley --------------------------------------------------Missy Conley BusinessMadison Eggert-Crowe ------------------------------ History & Politics#Jennifer Fetter -------------------------------------------------#Jennifer Fetter -------------------------------------------------#Jennifer Fetter BiologyJennifer Gray -------------------------------------------Jennifer Gray -------------------------------------------Jennifer Gray Music IndustryKatelin Kloberg ----------------------------------------Katelin Kloberg ----------------------------------------Katelin Kloberg Interior DesignHeather Le ---------------------------------------------------- BusinessAbigail Raymond ------------------------------------- CommunicationsLeko Lin -------------------------------------- Biomedical EngineeringErica Louth -------------------------------------------- Interior DesignChelsea Meyer -----------------------------------------Chelsea Meyer -----------------------------------------Chelsea Meyer Graphic Design•Kate Sherlock -----------------------------------------•Kate Sherlock -----------------------------------------•Kate Sherlock Music IndustryKristen Sudhop --------------------------------------Teacher Education

TenorJeff Arlen ---------------------------------------------Biology/Pre-MedMike Byro ---------------------------------------------- Music IndustryDavid Eves ---------------------------------------------- Film & VideoMichael Jeff ers -------------------------------------------- Engineering•Michael Maicher -------------------------•Michael Maicher -------------------------•Michael Maicher Commerce and Engineering#Brian Summers ------------------------------------- Computer ScienceJordan Turkenkopf --------------------------------------Jordan Turkenkopf --------------------------------------Jordan Turkenkopf Music Industry

Bass•Chris Barron --------------------------------------- Computer ScienceRay Canzanese --------------------------------- Computer EngineeringBen Guez -----------------------------------------------------Ben Guez -----------------------------------------------------Ben Guez BusinessKyle Jones ----------------------------------- Architectural EngineeringRyan Ketner ------------------------------------Ryan Ketner ------------------------------------Ryan Ketner Computer EngineeringJason McGovern -------------------------------------- CommunicationHarry Miller ------------------------------------Harry Miller ------------------------------------Harry Miller Computer EngineeringRob Rehner --------------------------------------------Rob Rehner --------------------------------------------Rob Rehner Music IndustryMatt Ridgway -----------------------Matt Ridgway -----------------------Matt Ridgway Civil & Architectural EngineeringLuke Rodgers --------------------------------------- Computer ScienceBrandon Rutter -----------------------------------------Brandon Rutter -----------------------------------------Brandon Rutter Music Industry#Arin Sang-urai -------------------Film & Video and Dramatic WritingMatthew White --------------- Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics

• Section Leader # Pi Nu Epsilon Member

Bass•Chris Barron --------------------------------------- Computer ScienceRay Canzanese --------------------------------- Computer EngineeringBen Guez -----------------------------------------------------Ben Guez -----------------------------------------------------Ben Guez BusinessKyle Jones ----------------------------------- Architectural EngineeringRyan Ketner ------------------------------------Ryan Ketner ------------------------------------Ryan Ketner Computer EngineeringJason McGovern -------------------------------------- CommunicationHarry Miller ------------------------------------Harry Miller ------------------------------------Harry Miller Computer EngineeringRob Rehner --------------------------------------------Rob Rehner --------------------------------------------Rob Rehner Music IndustryMatt Ridgway -----------------------Matt Ridgway -----------------------Matt Ridgway Civil & Architectural EngineeringLuke Rodgers --------------------------------------- Computer ScienceBrandon Rutter -----------------------------------------Brandon Rutter -----------------------------------------Brandon Rutter Music Industry#Arin Sang-urai -------------------Film & Video and Dramatic WritingMatthew White --------------- Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics

• Section Leader # Pi Nu Epsilon Member

Chamber Singers

Jeff ArlenChris Barron

Marielle des EtagesBen Guez

Anna KlebanovKatelin Kloberg

Michael MaicherJohanna MikitkaMatt RidgwayArin Sang-uraiJamie Tijerina

Chamber Singers

Jeff ArlenChris Barron

Marielle des EtagesBen Guez

Anna KlebanovKatelin Kloberg

Michael MaicherJohanna MikitkaMatt RidgwayArin Sang-uraiJamie Tijerina