Singing from the heart - thanks Joey Moss!

For many of the most talented singers, it can be difficult to find that place of freedom where the heart communicates freely. We all get caught up in style, technique, correct pitch, rhythm and tuning. It is rare to come across a singer who can balance all of these technical aspects of the art while finding true freedom of expression. I was reminded of that for three reasons yesterday.
The first was a story of my seven year old daughter who was describing the difficulty of learning a new dance step. She said, quite eloquently, "my brain wasn't on my feet, my brain was in my feelings." Those words bring a tear to a father's eye, especially a father who is constantly striving for clarity of expression within the structure and confines of so-called classical music. A music that weds the brain and heart. I really do know what she means. I also know that this is the musicians', dancers' and artists' struggle.
The second instance took place in one of Spiritus Chamber Choir's final rehearsals leading up to what we hope will be a fantastic performance of Monteverdi's Vespers of 1610. The choir and I had been addressing  the difficulty of tuning, and adjusting to a more perfect and real tuning to bring out the colour of the major and minor thirds. Half-way through the rehearsal I realized that my comments were having a negative effect because there was so much listening and self-analysis going on by choir members that not only had the music stopped communicating, it had almost stopped entirely. My obsessions had destroyed the possibility for expression by focusing too much on the technical. This can be such a fine line.
Finally, before going to sleep I checked to see how the Joey Moss cup game went in Edmonton, as they prepare for an exciting season of ups and downs with a talented group of rookies. While there may be some interesting analogies between music and sport, what I saw was musical inspiration. It brought a huge smile to my face and tear to my eye as Joey Moss led the fans in a rousing and heartfelt rendition of the Canadian National Anthem. It is fun and inspiring to hear someone sing from the heart, especially when there are no filters or fears.
Thanks Joey Moss!
http://video.oilers.nhl.com/videocenter/console?catid=4&id=75941

Alberta Arts Days - Great turnout!

What a wonderful surprise to have an attentive audience of listeners at our Open Rehearsal on Sunday, September 19! "Monteverdi's Vespers of 1610 - a sneak peek!"
We hope the music warmed the hearts of those that braved the cold and damp weather that seems to be norm for the Summer of 2010 in Calgary! Hopefully the arrival of fall this week signals a return to sunshine.
Thanks also to Anne and Irene for their help as volunteers.

Monteverdi's Vespers Translation

Hello Spiritusers,
I know that there are some movements that I have not given you translations. Below you will find the translation of the entire work.

Great singing last evening! Thank you for all of your hard work!

Vespers of 1610 – Monteverdi: Words & Translation

1. Deus in Adjutorium.                                      Ps. 69:1
Deus, in adjutorium meum intende Domine, ad adjuvandum me festina.		Lord come to my assistance Lord make haste to save me.
Gloria Patri et Filio et Spiritui Sancto.		Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum.		As it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be, for all ages.
Amen. Alleluia.		Amen. Alleluia.
2. Dixit Dominus.                                        Ps. 109/110
Dixit Dominus Domino meo: Sede a dextris meis: donec ponam inimicos tuos scabellum pedum tuorum.		The Lord said to my lord, sit at my right hand, and I will make your enemies your footstool.
Virgam virtutis tuae emittet Dominus ex Sion: dominare in medio inimicorum tuorum.		The Lord extends the sceptre of your power from Zion: Saying; rule in the midst of your enemies.
Tecum principium in die virtutis tuae in splendoribus sanctorum: ex utero ante luciferum genui te.		You gain the homage of your people on the day of your power, arrayed in holy garments, a child of the dawn, you have the dew of your youth.
Juravit Dominus, et non poenitebit eum: tu es sacerdos in aeternum secundum ordinem Melchisedech.		The Lord has sworn an oath and will not change his mind:  “You are a priest forever, a Melchizedek in my service.”
Dominus a dextris tuis, confregit in die irae suae reges.		The Lord is at your right hand; he crushes kings on the day of his wrath.
Judicabit in nationibus, implebit ruinas: conquassabit capita in terra multorum.		He will judge the nations; he will shatter heads throughout the wide earth.
De torrente in via bibet: propterea exaltabit caput.		He will drink from the stream on his way; therefore he will hold his head high.
Gloria Patri et Filio et Spiritui Sancto.		Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.		As it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be, for all ages. Amen.
3. Nigra Sum.                                      Song of Solomon
Nigra sum, sed formosa, filia Jerusalem.		I am the dark but lovely daughter of Jerusalem.
Ideo dilexit me rex et introduxit in cubiculum suum et dixit mihi:		Therefore the king loved me and brought me into his chamber and said to me:
Surge, amica mea, et veni.		Arise, my love, and come.
Jam hiems transiit, imber abiit, et recessit.		Already the winter is past, the rains are over and gone;
Flores apparuerunt in terra nostra, tempus putationis advenit.		Flowers have appeared in our land, the time of pruning comes.
4. Laudate Pueri Domine.                             Ps. 112/113
Laudate, pueri, Dominum: laudate nomen Domini.		Praise the Lord, you that are his servants: praise the name of the Lord.
Sit nomen Domini benedictum, ex hoc nunc, et usque in saeculum.		Blessed be the name of the Lord, now and evermore.
A solis ortu usque ad occasum, laudabile nomen Domini.		From the rising of the sun to its setting may the Lord's name be praised.
Excelsus super omnes gentes Dominus, et super coelos gloria ejus.		High is the Lord above all nations, high his glory above the heavens.
Quis sicut Dominus Deus noster, qui in altis habitat,		Who is like the Lord our God, who resides on high,
Et humilia respicit in coelo et in terra?		But humbly cares for heaven and earth?
Suscitans a terra inopem, et de stercore erigens pauperem:		He lifts the weak out of the dust, from the rubbish heap he raises the poor.
Ut collocet eum cum principibus, cum principibus populi sui.		And gives them a place among the princes of his people.
Qui habitare facit sterilem in domo, matrem filiorum laetantem.		He makes the woman in a childless house a happy mother of children.
Gloria Patri et Filio et Spiritui Sancto.		Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.		As it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be, for all ages. Amen.
5. Pulchra Es. Canticle of Canticles (Song of Solomon) 6:3-4
Pulchra es, amica mea, suavis et decora filia Jerusalem.		You are beautiful, my dearest, fair and lovely daughter of Jerusalem.
Pulchra es, amica mea, suavis et decora sicut Jerusalem, terribilis ut castrorum acies ordinata.		You are beautiful, my dearest, fair and lovely as Jerusalem; terrible as an army arrayed for battle.
Averte oculos tuos a me, quia me avolare fecerunt.		Turn your eyes away from me, for they have made me flee.
6. Laetatus Sum.                                                Ps. 121
Laetatus sum in his, quae dicta sunt mihi: in domum Domini ibimus.		I rejoiced when they said to me: Let us go to the house of the Lord.
Stantes erant pedes nostri, in atriis tuis, Jerusalem.		Our feet were standing within your gates, Jerusalem.
Jerusalem, quae aedificatur ut civitas: cujus participatio ejus in idipsum.		Jerusalem, built as a city, which is at one with itself.
Illuc enim ascenderunt tribus, tribus Domini testimonium Israel ad confitendum nomini Domini.		For there, there the tribes went up, the tribes of the Lord, as was decreed for Israel, to acknowledge the name of the Lord.
Quia illic sederunt sedes in judicio, sedes super domum David.		For there the thrones of judgement were set, and there the thrones of the house of David.
Rogate quae ad pacem sunt Jerusalem: et abundantia diligentibus te.		Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May those who love you prosper.
Fiat pax in virtute tua: et abundantia in turribus tuis.		May there be peace, peace be within your ramparts, and prosperity within your palaces.
Propter fratres meos, et proximos meos, loquebar pacem de te:		For the sake of these my brothers and my friends, I shall say, ‘Peace be with you.’
Propter domum Domini Dei nostri, quaesivi bona tibi.		For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I shall pray for your well-being.
Gloria Patri et Filio et Spiritui Sancto.		Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.		As it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be, for all ages. Amen.
7. Duo Seraphim.                                        Isaiah 6:2-3
Duo Seraphim clamabant alter ad alterum: Sanctus Dominus Deus Saboath. Plena est omnis terra gloria ejus.		Two seraphim called to one another: Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Hosts. The whole earth is full of his glory.
Tres sunt, qui testimonium dant in coelo: Pater, Verbum et Spiritus Sanctus: et hi tres unum sunt.		There are three who bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit: and these three are one.
Sanctus Dominus Deus Sabaoth.		Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Hosts.
Plena est omnis terra gloria ejus.		The whole earth is full of his glory.

8. Nisi Dominus.                                            Psalm 127
Nisi Dominus aedificaverit domum, in vanum laboraverunt qui aedificant eum.			Unless the Lord builds the house, in vain labour those who build it.
Nisi Dominus custodierit civitatem, frustra vigilat qui custodit eam.			Unless the Lord keeps watch over the city, the watchman stands guard in vain .
Vanum est vobis ante lucem surgere: surgite postquam sederitis, qui manducatis panem doloris.			It is vain for you to rise early: rise up after you have rested, you who eat the bread of sorrow.
Cum dederit dilectis suis somnum: ecce, haereditas Domini filii: merces, fructus ventris.			For he gives sleep to those he loves; behold, sons are a gift from the Lord; a reward, the fruit of the womb.
Sicut sagittae in manu potentis: ita filii excussorum.			Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the sons of one’s youth.
Beatus vir qui implevit desiderium suum ex ipsis: non confundetur cum loquetur inimicis suis in porta.			Happy is the man who has fulfilled his desire with them; he shall not be confounded when he speaks with his enemies at the gate.
Gloria Patri et Filio et Spiritui Sancto.			Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.			As it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be, for all ages. Amen.
9. Audi Coelum.
Audi, coelum, audi verba mea plena desiderio et perfusa gaudio.	Audio		Hear, O heaven, hear my words, full of longing and steeped in joy.	I hear
Dic, quaeso, mihi: Quae est ista quae consurgens ut aurora rutilat, ut benedicam?	Dicam		Tell me, I entreat, who is she who, rising, shines like the dawn, that I may bless her?	I shall tell
Dic nam ista pulchra ut luna, electa ut sol, replet laetitia terras, coelos, maria.	Maria		Tell me, for she, lovely as the moon, chosen as the sun, fills with joy the earth, the heavens and the seas.	Mary
Maria virgo illa dulcis praedicta de propheta Ezekiel, porta orientalis?	Talis		Mary, that sweet virgin foretold by the prophet Ezekiel, the portal of the rising sun?	That very one
Illa sacra et felix porta per quam mors fuit expulsa introduxit autem vita?	Ita		That holy and happy portal through which death was expelled and eternal life brought in?	Just so
Quae semper tutum est medium inter homines et Deum pro culpis remedium?	Medium		She who is always the secure mediator between man and God, the remedy of sins?	The Mediator
Omnes hanc ergo sequamur qua cum gratia mereamur vitam aeternam. Consequamur.	Sequamur		Let us all, all of us therefore follow her through whose grace we shall win eternal life.  Let us follow.	Follow
Praestet nobis Deus, Pater hoc et Filius et Mater cujus nomen invocamus dulce miseris solamen.	Amen		Grant us this, O God the Father, O God the Son, O Mother whose sweet name we invoke, grant this comfort to the distressed.	Amen
Benedicta es, virgo Maria, in saeculorum saecula.			Blessed are you, Virgin Mary, in all ages.

10. Lauda Jerusalem.                                     Psalm 147
Lauda, Jerusalem, Dominum: lauda Deum tuum, Sion.				Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem; praise your God, O Zion.
Quoniam confortavit seras portarum tuarum: benedixit filiis tuis in te.				For he has strengthened your barred gates; he has blessed you with sons.
Qui posuit fines tuos pacem: et adipe frumenti satiat te.				He has brought peace to your realm, and given you the best of wheat in plenty.
Qui emittet eloquium suum terrae: velociter currit sermo ejus.				He sends his command over the earth; and his word runs swiftly.
Qui dat nivem sicut lanam: nebulam sicut cinerem spargit.				He showers down snow. white as wool; and sprinkles hoar-frost like ashes.
Mittit crystallum suam sicut buccellas: ante faciem frigoris ejus quis sustinebit?				He scatters crystals of ice like crumbs; who can stand before his cold?
Emittet verbum suum, et liquefaciet ea: flabit spiritus ejus, et fluent aquae.				He utters his word, and the ice is melted; he makes the wind blow, and the waters flow again.
Qui annunciat verbum suum Jacob: justitias et judicia sua Israel.				To Jacob he reveals his word, his statutes and decrees to Israel.
Non fecit taliter omni nationi: et judicia sua non manifestavit eis.				He has not done this for other nations; nor were his decrees made known to them.
Gloria Patri et Filio et Spiritui Sancto.				Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.				As it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be, for all ages. Amen.
11. Sonata Sopra "Sancta Maria".
Sancta Maria, ora pro nobis.				Holy Mary, pray for us.
12. Ave Maris Stella.
Ave maris stella,  Dei Mater alma  Atque semper Virgo  Felix coeli porta.		Hail, star of the sea, the nourishing Mother of God and always Virgin, the happy portal of heaven.
Sumens illud Ave  Gabrielis ore,  Funda nos in pace,  Mutans Evae nomen.		Taking that ‘Ave’ from the mouth of Gabriel, grant us peace,  changing the name of Eve [to Ave].
Solve vincla reis,  Profer lumen caecis,  Mala nostra pelle,  Bona cuncta posce.		Release the bonds of sinners, bring light to the blind,  drive away our evils,  pray for all our blessings.
Monstra te esse matrem,  Sumat per te preces,  Qui pro nobis natus,  Tulit esse tuus.		Show yourself a mother, he will accept our prayers through you.  He who, born for us, deigned to be born of you.
Virgo singularis,  Inter omnes mitis,  Nos culpis solutos,  Mites fac et castos.		O peerless Virgin, gentlest of all, Our sins dissolved, make us mild and pure.
Vitam praesta puram,  Iter para tutum,  Ut videntes Jesum  Semper collaetemur.		Grant a pure life, prepare a safe journey, that seeing Jesus we may rejoice for ever.
Sit laus Deo Patri,  Summo Christo decus,  Spiritui Sancto  Tribus honor unus. Amen.		Praise be to God the Father, glory to Christ on high, to the Holy Spirit honour, one as three. Amen.

13. Magnificat.                                          Luke 1:46-55
Magnificat anima mea Dominum: et exultavit spiritus meus in Deo salutari meo.		My soul tells of the greatness of the Lord, My spirit has rejoiced in God my Saviour.
Quia respexit humilitatem ancillae suae: ecce enim ex hoc beatam me dicent omnes generationes.		For he looked with favour on his lowly servant, and behold, because of this all generations shall call me blessed.
Quia fecit mihi magna qui potens est: et sanctum nomen ejus.		For the Mighty God has done great things for me; and his name is holy.
Et misericordia ejus a progenie in progenies timentibus eum.		And his mercy from generation to generation is upon those who fear him.
Fecit potentiam in brachio suo: dispersit superbos mente cordis sui.		He has shown the might of his arm; he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
Deposuit potentes de sede, et exaltavit humiles.		He has brought down the mighty from their thrones, and raised on high the lowly.
Esurientes implevit bonis: et divites dimisit inanes.		He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty.
Suscepit Israel puerum suum, recordatus misericordiae suae.		He has supported Israel, his servant, in remembrance of his mercy.
Sicut locutus est ad patres nostros, Abraham et semini ejus in saecula.		As he promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed, forever.
Gloria Patri et Filio et Spiritui Sancto.		Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.		As it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be, for all ages. Amen.