Douglas I. Smith, D.M.A., Artistic Director
Previous Programs: 1994 - 1995
December
1995 - Christmas Ornaments
This concert is a repackaging of traditional American and English Christmas
“caroles” in a seasonal celebration featuring compositions by John Rutter,
Ralph Vaughan Williams and Randol Alan Bass. John Rutter composed the opening
carols in varying styles to paint three different views of the Christ child,
the angels’s protective watch, “Angel’s Carol”, Mary’s maternal
tenderness, “Shepherd’s Pipe Carol”, and the shepherd boy’s childlike
musical gift, “Christmas Lullaby”. “Christmas Ornaments”
is a cantata written by Bass, that weaves sacred and secular songs of the
season together. Included are: “Personent Hodie”, “Deck the Halls”,
“Lullaby Carols”, “Bell Carols”, “I Wonder as I Wander”, with a solo
by Patricia Rubin, and “The Twelve Days of Christmas”. Williams
“Fantasia
on Christmas Carols”, based on traditional English Christmas
carols, “Herefordshire”, “Somerset”, “Sussex” and another
“Herefordshire”
melody and includes a baritone solo by Jeffrey Baer, accompanied by Ranee
Reitz.
April
1995 - In the English Tradition
This concert was dedicated to the memory of Franklin O. Doughty, member
of ECAS. Jeffrey Baer was the guest conductor for this performance with
Robert Young as organist. Phyllis Oldham was principal soprano soloist.
The first half of the program included works by Thomas Morley, “Said
I That Amaryllis”, John Wilbye, “Adieu, Sweet Amaryllis”, John
Farmer,
“Fair Phyllis”, Henry Purcell, “In These Delightful Pleasant
Groves”, G. F. Handel, “Hallelujah, Amen” (from Judas
Maccabaeus), Edward Elgar, “My Love Dwelt in a Northern Land”,
R. Vaughan Williams, “Lord, Thou Hast Been Our Refuge”, and John
Rutter’s “Let’s Begin Again”. The second half was John Rutter’s
moving “Requiem”. Accompaniment included Diane Thomas (flute), Carrie
Zubrowski (cello), John O’Meara (oboe), Tom Clark and Chris Reavis (percussion)
and Ira Poberezhnaya (harp).
November
1994 - Christmas Prelude
This concert, performed at the beautiful St. Mark’s Church in Easton,
included Benjamin Britten’s “A Ceremony of Carols” and Marc-Antoine
Charpentier’s “Midnight Mass for Christmas”. Sirin Pancaroglu was
the guest harpist for “Ceremony of Carols”. The “Midnight Mass
for Christmas” was accompanied by a small Baroque orchestra of strings
and flutes. All of the solos in both works were performed by members of
the ECAS including Betty Hartmeyer, Patty Rubin, Joyce DiLaurentis, Sherri
Hynes, Ruth Hynsen-Palmer, Steve Strobeck, Ed Nordby, Mitch Cornwell and
Jonathan West. Benjamin Britten wrote “A Ceremony of Carols” during
a voyage back to England from America in 1942, using medieval carols found
in a book purchased in Nova Scotia. The expression of faith found in the
birth of Jesus and the rebirth of spring were a testament to the power
of hope during the darkness of WWII. The “Midnight Mass for Christmas”
is typically baroque in nature, popular in France during the reign of Louis
XIV and known for it’s charm and appeal.
April
1994 - Most Memorable Melodies
This concert was a collection of memorable melodies including folk
songs from Wales and America. In the folk tradition is “Aura Lee”,
“The
Ash Grove” and “Beautiful Dreamer”. In the classical tradition,
“Gloria
in Excelsis” by Mozart, Mendelssohn’s “He Watching Over Israel”,
and Joseph Hayden’s “The Heavens are Telling”. Inspired text music
includes, Randall Thompson’s “The Road Not Taken”, from Frostianna,
Pablo Casals’ “O Vos Omnes” and the well-known “Battle Hymn of
the Republic”. The borrowed tradition includes Beethoven’s “Joyful,
Joyful, Hallelujah” from The Mount of Olives and Symphony no.
9, “Arioso” from Suite in D major by J. S.
Bach and “Frére Jacques”, the French folk tune. The gospel
tradition included “Glory in-a My Soul”, “Peace Like a River”, and
“Ride
On, King Jesus!”, all arranged by Donald P. Moore. The final section
was the stage tradition with “It’s Only a Paper Moon”, “Hernando’s Hideaway”
and a “Porgy and Bess” medly with solos by Rachel Clement and Patricia
Rubin.
|
Easton Choral Arts Society
P. O. Box 13
Easton, Maryland 21601