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| For solo female voices (soprano, mezzo, alto). Commissioned by TAPESTRY. Gettin' medieval on ya'. |
Label: Odhecaton Z Music
Credits: Tapestry. |
Story Behind the Song
When asked by Laurie Monahan to write a "Christmas piece" for the vocal ensemble Tapestry, I jumped at the opportunity. I have long been involved in early music as a performer and "rabid fan," and often find it creeping into my compositions. Here was a chance to write for a fabulous ensemble that specializes in medieval and contemporary repertoire.
As a Christmas piece I wanted it to be a celebration of the birth of Christ, but I also wanted it to have multiple meanings. After giving it much thought - and no doubt being influenced by the recent birth of our twin boys - I decided to make it not simply a celebration of Christ's birth, but of birth in general. A celebration of womanhood and of nurturing.
However, after reading literally hundreds of Marian and 'matriarchal' texts in various languages and from various eras and cultures, I was unable and unwilling to limit myself to one single text. The obvious solution was to make the piece a triple-texted motet. This allowed for a counterpoint of texts and meanings, as well as of musical ideas. I selected key words and phrases from each text and set them in English, which provided yet another level of counterpoint: one of language and timbre.
Lyrics
Translations (sung in original Latin):
Soprano:
O mira novitas
What a marvelous thing
and what a great new joy:
the wholeness of the mother
after childbirth!
Naked vision
cannot bear
to see the sun as it rises
purely in the air,
whom the womb of birth,
in which it is enclosed,
sees when reflected
from her body.
Mezzo-soprano:
O lilium floruit
Oh, a lily has blossomed
in the verdant fields
which the fountain of Lebanon,
with its cleansing waters,
soothes and refreshes
with its fragrant breezes.
Hasten quickly!
The flock plays
in the fertile pastures,
And the crowds follow
the lamb among the lilies,
who became a shepherd,
born of a glittering virgin.
Alto:
Antequam parturiret (from Isaiah 66)
Before she went into labor she brought forth;
before she was to deliver
she gave birth to a man child.
Rejoice ye with Jerusalem,
and be glad with her, all ye that love her:
That ye may suck, and be satisfied
with the breasts of her consolations;
that ye may milk out,
and be delighted
with the abundance of her glory.
As one whom his mother comforteth,
so will I comfort you;
and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem.
All:
He has appeared.
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Lansing McLoskey
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