Robert Blocker, Dean
faculty artist series
Benjamin Verdery, guitar with Janna Baty, mezzo-soprano and Mark Martin, mixed vocals Tuesday, January 15, 2019 | 7:30 pm | Morse Recital Hall in Sprague Memorial Hall
Johann Sebastian Bach 1685–1750 arr. Benjamin Verdery
Cello Suite No. 6, BWV 1012 I. Prélude Gottes Zeit ist die allerbeste Zeit, BWV 106 Prelude, Fugue, and Allegro, BWV 998 III. Allegro
David Leisner b. 1953
Five Songs of Devotion for Voice and Guitar (1994) I. The Lord is My Shepherd Psalm 23 II. Song of the Sky Loom Trad. Tewa Native American III. The Breath of Nature Chuang-Tzu/Thomas Merton IV. Saint Clare William Hurlbut V. Silent Steps Rabindranath Tagore Janna Baty, mezzo-soprano
W. A. Mozart 1756–1791 arr. Benjamin Verdery
Adagio in B minor, K. 540
Benjamin Verdery b. 1955
the rain falls equally on all things, a fantasy World premiere
Benjamin Verdery b. 1955 Mark Martin b. 1988
From Aristotle (2015–16) a. The Poet Being an Imitator things as they were or are, things as they are said or thought to be, or things as they ought to be b. A Noun A Noun is a composite significant sound, not marking time, of which no part is in itself significant c. A Verb A Verb is a composite significant sound, marking time, in which, as in the noun, no part is in itself significant. For ‘man’ or ‘white’ does not express the idea of ‘when’; but ‘he walks’ or ‘he has walked’ does connote time, present or past d. The Wineless Cup Mark Martin, mixed vocals
As a courtesy to others, please silence all devices. Photography and recording of any kind is strictly prohibited. Please do not leave the hall during musical selections. Thank you.
Artist Profiles Benjamin Verdery, guitar
Janna Baty, mezzo-soprano
Described as “iconoclastic” and “inventive” by The New York Times, guitarist Benjamin Verdery enjoys an innovative and eclectic musical career. Verdery has given concerts at the International Guitar Festival (Singapore), the Festival International de Agosto (Caracas), the Schubert Festival (Germany), the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, the Metropolitan Opera, and elsewhere.
Mezzo-soprano Janna Baty enjoys an exceptionally versatile career. She has sung with many of the world’s most celebrated ensembles, including the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Daejeon Philharmonic, Hamburgische Staatsoper, L’Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse, and Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, under the batons of James Levine, Seiji Ozawa, and Robert Spano, among numerous others. A noted specialist in contemporary music, Baty has worked with many influential composers. She is an alumna of Oberlin College and the Yale School of Music. She joined the Yale School of Music faculty in 2008.
Among the composers who have written works for him are Ingram Marshall, Jack Vees, Martin Bresnick, Ezra Laderman, Christopher Theofanidis, and Roberto Sierra. Verdery’s own works have been performed by such artists as John Williams, Sergio and Odair Assad, David Russell, and the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet.
>> jannabaty.com Mark Martin, vocalist
As a recording artist, Verdery has released more than fifteen albums, all available on Amazon. His recording Start Now (Mushkatweek) won the 2005 Classical Recording Foundation Award. Verdery is Artistic Director of 92nd Street Y’s Art of the Guitar series and is an honorary board member of the Suzuki Association of the Americas. He is Associate Professor (adjunct) of Guitar at the Yale School of Music and is Artistic Director of the School’s Guitar Extravaganza. Each summer Benjamin holds his Annual International Master Class on the Island of Maui (Hawaii).
NYC and Denver based artist Mark Martin is known for playfully blurring the lines between language and sound. Winner of the 2016 American Beatbox Championships, Mark has battled in and judged many international battles. Martin is a passionate educator who has taught groups, workshops, and private students all over the world for over 10 years. Mark collaborated with World Champion Beatboxer Kaila Mullady to create a curriculum utilizing beatboxing as a tool for speech therapy. If you are interested in learning how to beatbox, you can reach him at markmartincreative@gmail.com.
>> benjaminverdery.com
>> markmartincreative.com
Notes and Texts Five Songs of Devotion David leisner The Lord is my Shepherd Text from the Old Testament, Psalm 23 Translated by David Leisner The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside the still waters. He refreshes my soul: He leads me in the path of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of darkness, I fear no evil: For You are with me. Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and kindness shall follow me all the days of my life: And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Song of the Sky Loom Traditional Tewa Native American text Oh our Mother the Earth Oh our Father the Sky Your children are we With tired backs we bring you The gifts you love So weave for us a garment of brightness May the warp be the white light of morning May the weft be the red light of evening May the fringes be the falling rain
May the border be the standing rainbow So weave for us a garment of brightness That we may walk where birds sing Where grass is green Oh our Mother the Earth Oh our Father the Sky
The Breath of Nature Text by Chuang-Tzu Interpreted by Thomas Merton Copyright Š 1965 by the Abbey of Gethsemani. Used with permission of the publisher, New Directions Publishing Corporation When great Nature sighs, we hear the winds Which, noiseless in themselves, Awaken voices from other beings. Blowing on them. From every opening Loud voices sound. Have you not hear This rush of tones? There stands the overhanging wood On the steep mountain: Old trees with holes and cracks Like snouts, maws and ears, Like beam-sockets, like goblets, Grooves in the wood, hollows full of water: You hear mooing and roaring, whistling. Shouts of command, grumblings, Deep drones, sad flutes. One call awakens another in dialogue. Gentle winds sing timidly, Strong ones blast on without restraint. Then the wind dies down. The openings Empty out their last sound Have you not observed how all then trembles and subsides?
[Yu replied: I understand:] The music of earth sings through a thousand holes. The music of man is made on flutes and instruments. What makes the music of heaven? [Master Ki said:] Something is blowing on a thousand different holes. Some power stands behind all this and makes the sounds die down. What is this power?
Saint Clare Text by William Hurlbut Little poor one, called by God. Ragged clothes and feet unshod. Heart of joy and radiant face. Perfect peace and perfect grace. Little dove within His hand. By His power you will stand. Hidden garden, bright and fair, Oh, most blessed Sister Clare! In the stillness of the dawn, In the bells of evensong. I can hear your spirit raise Unto God a hymn of praise. When the way is hard and steep, Night is cold and hunger deep. I can feel your burning prayer, Oh, most blessed Sister Clare. I recall that holy night When from riches you took flight;
Bowed in purity and prayer, There I cut your golden hair. Bride of Christ, on bended knee. Bound in Holy Poverty. Like a treasure shining there, Oh, most blessed Sister Clare! Good and gentle, sweet and fair, Little poor one, Sister Clare.
Silent Steps Text by Rabindranath Tagore, from Gitanjali Have you not heard his silent steps? He comes, comes, ever comes. Every moment and every age, every day and every night he comes, comes, ever comes. Many a song have I sung in many a mood of mind, but all their notes have always proclaimed, “He comes, comes, ever comes.� In the fragrant days of sunny April through the forest path he comes, comes, ever comes. In the rainy gloom of July nights on the thundering chariot of clouds he comes, comes, ever comes. In sorrow after sorrow it is his steps that press upon my heart, and it is the golden touch of his feet that makes my joy to shine.
Notes and Texts Five Songs of Devotion David leisner David Leisner
From Aristotle verdery & martin Text by Benjamin Verdery and Mark Martin
The boundary between art music and popular music has always fascinated me. Where, if anywhere, can one draw the line? These songs hover near that elusive border.
a. The Poet Being an Imitator things as they were or are, things as they are said or thought to be, or things as they ought to be
Five different religious traditions (Jewish, Native American, Taoist, Christian and Hindu) provide the texts, all expressions of devotion to a Higher Being, each with a distinct personality. An old Zen proverb says, “There are many paths to the top of the mountain, but the view from the summit is always the same.”
b. A Noun A Noun is a composite significant sound, not marking time, of which no part is in itself significant
This work was completed in 1989, commissioned by and dedicated to Hazel Ketchum, who can sing and play it (beautifully) at the same time. It can be performed either in this fashion or with a singer and a guitarist.
c. A Verb A Verb is a composite significant sound, marking time, in which, as in the noun, no part is in itself significant. For ‘man’ or ‘white’ does not express the idea of ‘when’; but ‘he walks’ or ‘he has walked’ does connote time, present or past d. The Wineless Cup
From Aristotle verdery & martin Benjamin Verdery From Aristotle is a four-movement work performed attacca. The text is taken from Aristotle’s book on Linguistics. It is co-composed by mixed vocal artist Mark Martin and myself. Mark and I tried to create music we felt best related to the text. The piece invites the listener to take a short sonic journey which includes sounds of nature, East Indian rhythms, Tuvan throat singing, lyrical vocal passages, parallel drum and guitar lines, and an extended Beat Box solo leading to the concluding baroque/gospel guitar lament. From Aristotle represents one of the more unique and exhilarating collaborations of my career. It was written in 2015–2016 and premiered In January 2016.
Upcoming Events jan 16 Peter Serkin, piano Horowitz Piano Series Visiting professor Peter Serkin performs Bach’s “Goldberg” Variations and works by Mozart. 7:30 pm | Morse Recital Hall Tickets start at $28, students $11
jan 25 The Pat Martino Quintet Ellington Jazz Series Guitarist Pat Martino’s playing is at once intellectual and spiritual and marked by a sublime virtuosity. 7:30 pm | Morse Recital Hall Tickets start at $22, students $10
jan 18 Peter Oundjian, principal conductor Yale Philharmonia The Yale Philharmonia performs Shostakovich Symphony No. 11, an arresting portrait of resistance. 7:30 pm | Woolsey Hall Tickets start at $12, students $5
jan 29 Brentano String Quartet Oneppo Chamber Music Series The Brentano String Quartet, YSM’s outstanding ensemblein-residence, opens the second half of the season. 7:30 pm | Morse Recital Hall Tickets start at $28, students $13
jan 20 Wendy Sharp, violin, and Friends Faculty Artist Series 3 pm | Morse Recital Hall Free
feb 10 Ransom Wilson, flute Faculty Artist Series 3 pm | Morse Recital Hall Free
Upcoming Guitar Events Yale in New York: Music for Guitar Featuring Benjamin Verdery, current students, and alumni of the YSM guitar studio Mar 28 Yale in New York | 4:30 pm | Morse Recital Hall | Free MAR 29 Yale in New York | 7:30 pm | Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall | T ickets $25 may 8
Guitar Chamber Music YSM Ensembles | 7:30 pm | Morse Recital Hall | Free yale school of music box office Sprague Memorial Hall | 470 College Street New Haven, CT 06511 203 432–4158 | music-tickets@yale.edu | Mon–Fri 11 am–2 pm wshu 91.1 fm is the media sponsor of the Yale School of Music
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