SKYWALK Programme - Chamber Choir Ireland

SKYWALK Conductor Paul Hillier Sunday 13 March 2022 Pepper Canister Church, Dublin —1—

—2—

Conductor Paul Hillier March 2022

—3—

Welcome A warm welcome to the first of two programmes presented as a retrospective of the choral works of Steve Martland, gone from this world too soon in 2013.

Today, Martland’s Street Songs, Skywalk and The Shepherd’s Song are connected and combined with Janequin’s Missa La Bataille; and Martland’s Sea Songs will be presented alongside the Irish premiere of John Luther Adams’ A Brief Descent into Brief Time at Cork International Choral Festival and in Dublin this April. We then take to the recording studio in June to record all of these wonderful Martland works in advance of the 10th anniversary of the composer’s death in 2023.

Originally in this programme, we were to have performed Janequin’s wonderful piece La Bataille, but with the horrors of war foremost in our minds at the moment, and in solidarity with the people of Ukraine, we have replaced Janequin’s work to open our concert with Ukranian composer, Galina Grigorjeva’s Psalm 103 and to conclude, with Arvo Pärt’s Da Pacem, Domine – a prayer for peace.

All of us at Chamber Choir Ireland remain deeply grateful to the Arts Council / an Chomhairle Ealaíon for their continued support of our work throughout Ireland, and for funding received from Dublin City Council’s Arts Office towards our Dublin performances. The loyalty shown by our friends both in our forced absence in the last two years and now that we’ve returned to live in-person concerts has been a tremendous source of strength and endorsement of our work for you, our audiences – our heartfelt thanks for your support.

These works by Steve Martland have been a joy for us to prepare and we very much hope you enjoy taking this journey with us from today’s Street Songs on through to Sea Songs in our April concert.

Majella Hollywood CEO, Chamber Choir Ireland

—4—

Programme Psalm 103, ‘Bless the Lord, o my soul’ Galina Grigorjeva (Ukraine, b. 1962) Kyrie, Gloria Missa La Bataille Clément Janequin (France, c. 1485-1558) Skywalk Steve Martland (UK, 1954-2013) Credo Missa La Bataille Clément Janequin Street Songs Steve Martland Sanctus, Benedictus, Agnus Missa La Bataille Clément Janequin The Shepherd’s Song Steve Martland Da pacem Domine Arvo Pärt (Estonia, b. 1935) THE PROGRAMME WILL RUN FOR C. 1 HOUR —5—

Psalm 103, ‘Bless the Lord, o my soul’ Galina Grigorjeva (Ukraine, b. 1962) Born in Crimea, Ukraine, Galina Grigorjeva studied at the Simferopol Music School and Odessa Conservatoire, graduating from the St. Petersburg Conservatoire under Prof. Yuri Falik and engaging in postgraduate studies with Lepo Sumera at the Estonian Academy of Music. Grigorjeva’s work has received praise for its remarkably subtle and animated melodic style. Her music is tightly linked to Slavonic sacred music as well as early European polyphony. Grigorjeva “orchestrates” polyphony with remarkable skill and grace, creating meaningful and beautiful harmonic flickers amidst the fluid texture. She pays utmost attention to the expressiveness and significance of each interval and intonation, leaving a lot of air and space for breathing in her music.

Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.

He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.

The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.

He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.

He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.

As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.

For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.

For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.

—6—

But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children; To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.

The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.

Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.

Bless ye the Lord, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.

Bless the Lord, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the Lord, O my soul.

—7—

Missa La Bataille Clément Janequin (France, c. 1485-1558) Few composers of the Renaissance were more popular in their lifetimes than Clément Janequin. He was hugely influential in the development of the Parisian chanson, particularly programmatic chansons—long, sectional pieces, which incorporate early examples of onomatopoeic effects to imitate natural or manmade sounds; Le chant des oiseaux imitates bird-calls; La chasse the sounds of a hunt; and his famous La bataille imitates battle noises, including trumpet calls and cannon fire. Rather unusually for his time, Janequin never held a regular position with a cathedral or an aristocratic court, instead he held a series of minor positions, often with important patronage. Missa la Bataille is one of just three of Janequin’s enduring liturgical works.

Kyrie Lord, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

Kyrie eleison.

Christe eleison.

Kyrie eleison.

Gloria Gloria in excelsis Deo. Et in terra pax hominibus bonae voluntatis.

Laudamus te. Benedicimus te.

Adoramus te. Glorificamus te.

Gratias agimus tibi propter magnam gloriam tuam.

Domine Deus, Rex caelestis, Deus Pater omnipotens.

Domine Fili unigenite, Iesu Christe.

Domine Deus, Agnus Dei, Filius Patris.

Qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis.

Qui tollis peccata mundi, suscipe deprecationem nostram.

Qui sedes ad dexteram Patris, miserere nobis.

Glory be to God on high, and on earth peace, good will towards men.

We praise thee, we bless thee, we worship thee, we glorify thee, we give thanks to thee for thy great glory, O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty.

O Lord, the only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ; O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that 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 the right hand of God the Father, have mercy upon us.

—8—

Quoniam tu solus Sanctus. Tu solus Dominus.

Tu solus Altissimus, Iesu Christe.

Cum Sancto Spiritu, in gloria Dei Patris.

Amen.

For thou only art holy; thou only art the Lord; thou only, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost, art most high in the glory of God the Father.

Amen.

—9—

Skywalk Steve Martland (UK, 1954-2013) Steve Martland was born Liverpool and studied composition in Holland with Louis Andriessen. Martland rejected academic dogma in favour of a plurality of musical influences, both ancient and modern, ‘serious’ and vernacular. He worked frequently with artists outside classical institutions - Dutch and American groups, freelance musicians and especially his own Steve Martland Band touring his music internationally. His preoccupation with the function of the composer in society was reflected in his commitment to music education. He directed many composition projects in schools both at home and abroad and he ran Strike Out, his own annual composition course for school children.

Often amplified, muscular and powerfully rhythmic, Martland’s music has been extensively choreographed: Drill for the Sydney Opera House, Crossing the Border for the National Ballet, Amsterdam. Danceworks, commissioned and premièred by London Contemporary Dance Theatre, has received many new productions around the world, notably by Les Grands Ballets Canadiens and Ballet Tech in New York. His widely performed choral music includes Street Songs, originally written for the King’s Singers and Evelyn Glennie. His recent commissions included the test piece for the TROMP International Music Festival and Competition, Starry Night for percussion and string quartet, and Sea Songs for Ars Nova Copenhagen conducted by Paul Hillier. Martland died unexpectedly on 7 May, 2013.

I see the horizon, A light blue, a blue band.

This is the Earth, how beautiful she is!

Everything is fine!

I see a vision of divinity, God’s Earth, the scars of national boundaries gone!

Everything is fine!

Minerva breathes, Apollo guides me, A long way to go, just to check the view!

Everything is fine!

— 10 —

I am the eagle on the rock and look! by holding up my thumb I blot the Earth from the Universe!

Everything is fine!

A single eye of blue that gazed on space is changing to another hue the Face itself looks on the Face unfolding time the final gyre – gives out.

— 11 —

Missa La Bataille Clément Janequin Credo Credo in unum Deum.

Patrem omnipotentem, factorem caeli et terrae, visibilium omnium et invisibilium.

Et in unum Dominum Jesum Christum, Filium Dei unigenitum, Et ex Patre natum ante omnia saecula.

Deum de Deo, lumen de lumine, Deum verum de Deo vero.

Genitum, non factum, consubstantialem Patri: per quem omnia facta sunt.

Qui propter nos homines et propter nostram salutem descendit de caelis.

I believe in one God, the Father almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord, Jesus Christ, Only begotten Son of God, Begotten of his Father before all worlds.

God of God, light of light, Very God of very God. Begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father: by whom all things were made.

Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven.

Et incarnatus est de Spiritu Sancto ex Maria Virgine: Et homo factus est.

And was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary: And was made man.

Crucifixus etiam pro nobis sub Pontio Pilato: passus, et sepultus est.

And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate: suffered, and was buried.

Et resurrexit tertia die, secundum scripturas.

Et ascendit in caelum: sedet ad dexteram Patris.

Et iterum venturus est cum gloria judicare vivos et mortuos: Cujus regni non erit finis.

And the third day He rose again according to the scriptures.

And ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of the Father And He shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead: His kingdom shall have no end.

— 12 —

Et in Spiritum sanctum Dominum, et vivificantem: Qui ex Patre, Filioque procedit.

Qui cum Patre, et Filio simul adoratur, et conglorificatur: Qui locutus est per Prophetas.

And (I believe in) the Holy Ghost, Lord and giver of life: Who proceedeth from the Father and Son. Who with the Father and Son together is worshipped and glorified: Who spake by the Prophets.

Et unam, sanctam, catholicam et apostolicam Ecclesiam.

Confiteor unum baptisma in remissionem peccatorum.

Et expecto resurrectionem mortuorum Et vitam venturi saeculi.

Amen.

And in one holy catholic and apostolic church.

I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins.

And I look for the resurrection of the dead And the life of the world to come.

Amen.

— 13 —

Street Songs Steve Martland I. Oranges and Lemons Oranges and lemons say the bells of St. Clement’s I owe you five farthings say the bells of St. Martin’s When will you pay me say the bells of Old Bailey When I grow rich say the bells of Shoreditch When will that be say the bells of Stepney I do not know say the bells of Bow Here comes a candle To light you to bed And here comes a chopper To chop off your head

II. Green Gravel Green gravel, the grass is so green.

The fairest young maiden that ever was seen.

We’ll wash you in milk, and dress you in silk, and write down your name, a gold pen and ink.

Oh Mary, your true love is dead.

He sent you a letter to turn round your head — 14 —

III. Poor Roger Poor Roger is buried and gone to his grave.

They planted an apple tree over his head.

The apples grew ripe and ready to fall, There came an old woman who gathered them all.

Poor Roger woke up and gave her a knock, Which made the old woman go Hippety Hip Hop!

IV. Jenny Jones We’ve come to see poor Jenny Jones, and how is she today?

Poor Jenny is washing, you can’t see her today.

We’ve come to see poor Jenny Jones, and how is she today?

Poor Jenny is drying, you can’t see her today.

We’ve come to see poor Jenny Jones, and how is she today?

Poor Jenny is ailing, you can’t see her today.

We’ve come to see poor Jenny Jones, and how is she today?

Poor Jenny is dying, you can’t see her today.

We’ve come to see poor Jenny Jones, and how is she today?

Poor Jenny is dead, you can’t see her today.

— 15 —

Missa La Bataille Clément Janequin Sanctus Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus, Dominus Deus Sabaoth.

Pleni sunt coeli et terra gloria tua.

Osanna in excelsis.

Holy, holy, holy Lord God of Hosts.

Heaven and earth are full of thy glory.

Hosanna in the highest.

Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini.

Osanna in excelsis.

Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

Hosanna in the highest.

Benedictus Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini.

Hosanna in excelsis.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

Hosanna in the highest.

Agnus Agnus Dei, qui tollis pecata mundi, miserere nobis.

Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis.

Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona nobis pacem.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, grant us peace.

— 16 —

The Shepherd’s Song Steve Martland When silver snow decks Sylvio’s clothes, And jewel hangs at shepherd’s nose, We can abide life’s pelting storm, That makes our limbs quake, if our hearts be warm.

Whilst Virtue is our walking-staff, And Truth a lantern to our path, We can abide life’s pelting storm, That makes our limbs quake, if our hearts be warm.

Blow, boisterous wind, stern winter frown, Innocence is a winter’s gown.

So clad, we’ll abide life’s pelting storm, That makes our limbs quake, if our hearts be warm.

SONG BY AN OLD SHEPHERD, WRITTEN BY WILLIAM BLAKE (1757-1827)

— 17 —

Da pacem Domine Arvo Pärt (Estonia, b. 1935) Arvo Pärt is an Estonian composer of classical and religious music. Since the late 1970s, Pärt has worked in a minimalist style that employs tintinnabuli, a unique musical language that he invented in 1976, which has reached a vast audience of various listeners and that has defined his work right up to today. There is no compositional school that follows Pärt, nor does he teach, nevertheless, a large part of the contemporary music has been influenced by his tintinnabuli compositions.

His most performed works include Fratres, Spiegel im Spiegel, and Für Alina.

He remains one of the most performed living composer in the world. Da pacem Domine is a prayer for peace, commissioned by Jordi Savall for a peace concert in Barcelona in 2004, rendered with an astonishing stillness, in which «each pitch is carefully placed in position like stones in a Zen garden” (Hillier). Pärt began the composition two days after the 2004 Madrid train bombings, in memory of the victims.

Da pacem Domine in diebus nostris quia non est alius qui pugnet pro nobis nisi tu Deus noster.

Give peace, O Lord, in our time Because there is no one else Who will fight for us If not You, our God.

— 18 —

Paul Hillier Artistic Director

PAUL HILLIER IS from Dorset in England and studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. His career has embraced singing, conducting, composing, and writing about music.

He formed the Hilliard Ensemble in 1973 and was its musical director for 17 years. In 1990 he created a new group called Theatre of Voices, which he continues to direct today. He has taught in the USA at the University of California campuses of Santa Cruz and Davis, and from 1996-2003 was Director of the Early Music Institute at Indiana University, Bloomington.

He was Principal Conductor of the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir (2001–2007) and has been Chief Conductor of Ars Nova Copenhagen since 2003. His books about Arvo Pärt and Steve Reich are published by Oxford University Press. In 2006 he was awarded an OBE for services to choral music. In 2007 he received the Order of the White Star of Estonia, and was awarded a Grammy for Best Choral Recording.

In 2008 he became Chief Conductor of Chamber Choir Ireland and was appointed artistic director of the newly formed Coro Casa da Musica in Porto.

That same year he also created his own music publishing company, Theatre of Voices Edition (www. tov-edition.com).

During 2009 he was artist in residence at Yale University’s Institute for Sacred Music. In 2010 he was awarded his second Grammy – for David Lang’s The Little Match Girl Passion.

In 2013 he was awarded the Order of Dannebrog (the Danish knighthood)

by Her Majesty Queen Margrethe of Denmark. Paul is represented worldwide

by Konzertdirektion Hörtnagel, Berlin.

— 19 —

Chamber Choir Ireland ‘It was at once a sheerly beautiful immersion in choral sonority’ IRISH TIMES, MARCH 2019 GARNERING A STRONG reputation for its unique approach to creative commissioning, recording and programming, Chamber Choir Ireland is the country’s flagship choral ensemble and national chamber choir under the Artistic Direction of the multiaward- winning conductor, Paul Hillier.

The Choir’s programmes span from early renaissance to the present day, incorporating established choral classics with cutting edge commissions, and a style of performance that incorporates versatility, dynamism and often vocal pyrotechnics.

Chamber Choir Ireland performances have been described as having a tone which is ‘liquid in its power and purity’ with a ‘strong vocal flexibility of style’ (Belfast Telegraph). The Choir has a strong commitment to touring in Ireland and continues to develop its touring network in order to present high quality choral concerts to audiences around the country. International touring has included the USA, UK, Belgium, Russia, Germany and South America.

The choir has previously recorded for the Harmonia Mundi, RTE Lyric FM labels including the world premiere recording of works by Gerald Barry, Barry meets

Beethoven, featuring the Crash Ensemble and Stephen Richardson on the Orchid Classics label. The most recent release garnering a 5-star review in the Irish Times was Letters which included the CCI commission Triptych

by David Fennessy and A Letter of Rights

by Tarik O’Regan & Alice Goodman on the Naxos label (November 2020).

Chamber Choir Ireland has a strong Learning and Participation programme, including in Composers in the Classroom, Choral Sketches, Sing! at Axis:Ballymun and a lecture series on the history of choral music in Ireland.

Chamber Choir Ireland receives principal funding & support from the Arts Council/an Chomhairle Ealaíon, is supported by Dublin City Council, is a resident ensemble at the National Concert Hall of Ireland, Associate Artists to Dublin City University, and a member of TENSO – the network of professional chamber choirs in Europe. In 2021, Chamber Choir Ireland welcomed President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins as Patron.

— 20 —

— 21 —

People Artistic Director Paul Hillier Patron Michael D Higgins President of Ireland Principal Funder Arts Council Additional Support Dublin City Council Dublin City University National Concert Hall Volunteers

Sopranos Abbi Temple Felicity Hayward Charlotte Trepess Sarah Keating*

Chief Executive Majella Hollywood

Altos Christina Whyte Laura Lamph Mark Chambers* Sarah Thursfield*

Marketing and Development Manager Aoife Cuthbert

Tenors Rory Lynch Edward Woodhouse Jakob Skjoldborg* Luís Toscano* Basses Jeffrey Ledwidge Paul McGough Eoghan Desmond William Gaunt *Deputy

— 22 —

Concerts’ Manager David Darcy

Publicist Mary Folan Board of Directors Olga Barry Susan Lannigan Alastair Rankin Ian Smith Richard Twomey Brian Walsh (Chair)

— 23 —

Become a Supporter By becoming a supporter of Chamber Choir Ireland, you are helping us to continue the beautiful work that we do as Ireland’s flagship choral ensemble.

Your contributions allow us to continue performing exciting and innovative programming, serving young people and adults across the country through our Learning and Participation activities, providing essential early-career support for emerging artists, and securing the future of choral music as a living artform in Ireland.

There are plenty of ways that you can get involved; Make a one-off donation, become a member, or even gift a membership to a loved one.

Explore our membership options below or visit www.chamberchoirireland.com/support

• Acknowledgement in programmes and on website • Advance look at our upcoming seasons, twice annually • 10% Discount on renewal if you refer a friend to become a member*

Student Friend €35/year

• 2 pairs of complimentary tickets • Acknowledgement in programmes and on website • Advance look at our upcoming seasons, twice annually • Invitation for you and a friend to an open rehearsal of Chamber Choir Ireland

Friend €100/year (€140 couple)

Patron €250/year

Becoming a Friend of Chamber Choir Ireland allows you to play an important role as a core supporter of our work— and gives you plenty of opportunities to get involved in our activities throughout the year. As a Friend, you will receive: • 2 complimentary tickets to a concert of your choice from our annual programme* • Invitation for you and a friend to an annual open rehearsal of Chamber Choir Ireland • Invitation for you and a guest to our annual supporters’ event

As a Patron of Chamber Choir Ireland, your support will allow us to continue entertaining, challenging, and inspiring audiences through our wide-ranging artistic programming and excellence in performance. You will receive all the benefits of a Friend PLUS: • 4 complimentary tickets to the concerts of your choice from our annual programme* • Invitation for you and 2 guests to an annual open rehearsal of Chamber Choir Ireland • Priority booking • 20% early bird discount*

— 24 —

Learning Benefactor €500/year

As an Education Benefactor, your support will allow us to continue our Learning and Participation work with young people, providing valuable opportunities for students to develop skills, build confidence, express their creativity, and work together inside and outside of the classroom. You will receive all the benefits of a Patron PLUS: • 6 complimentary tickets to the concerts of your choice from our annual programme* • Free access to any concerts streamed online*

Next Generation Champion €1,500/year

As a Next Generation Champion, your support will light the way for the next generation of professional artists in choral music, providing essential support for our work with emerging singers, conductors, and composers.

You will receive all the benefits of a Learning Benefactor PLUS: • 8 complimentary tickets to the concerts of your choice from our annual programme* • Free copies of all new CD releases* • Invitation to annual dinner with the CEO of Chamber Choir Ireland

Guardian €5,000/year

As a Guardian, your generosity not only provides essential support for our artistic programming, our community and educational activities, and our development of choral music as an artform—it secures the very future of Chamber Choir Ireland as an organisation. You will receive all the benefits of a Next Generation Champion PLUS: • Private recital for you and your friends by a vocal quartet of singers from Chamber Choir Ireland at a time and venue to be arranged* • The opportunity to receive dedicated acknowledgement of support for a concert or work of your choosing from our calendar, or to dedicate it to a loved one

*Supporters giving at the Patron level or above can choose to waive benefits marked with an asterisk, allowing Chamber Choir Ireland to claim tax back and increasing the value of your donation to Chamber Choir Ireland by 31%.

If you would like to discuss any of the options above, or how you can support Chamber Choir Ireland in your own way, contact Aoife Cuthbert: 086 083 6380 / aoife@chamberchoirireland.com — 25 —

Warmest thanks to our supporters Friends

Patricia Barker

David & Dorothy Byers Aileen Cashman Patrick Coffey

Mary Delaney

Sheila Greene Sarah Rogers Edel Sludds

Brendan & Siobhan Supple Mary MacAodha Aine MacCallion Patrick Plunkett

Patrons

Alistair & Gillian Rankin Geraldine O’Sullivan

And those supporters who wish to remain anonymous

— 26 —

Coming Up

Conductor Sofi Jeannin AVAILABLE TO STREAM ONLINE 31 March – 8 April 2022

Conductor Paul Hillier Cork International Choral Festival Friday 29 April 2022 New Music Dublin | Saturday 30 April 2022

Guest Director Grete Pederson Saturday 14 May 2022 All Hallows Chapel, Drumcondra — 27 —

Chamber Choir Ireland National Concert Hall Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2 email admin@chamberchoirireland.com www.chamberchoirireland.com — 28 —