Connecticut Master Chorale

These concert notes were prepared by Director Tina Heidrich.

• 

  Larry Shackley
  b. 1956

  Rejoice! Christ Is Born! – Larry Shackley

  Our program opens with a jubilant Christmas pairing of Good Christian Friends Rejoice, a 14th century German melody, lyrics from a 14th century Latin carol, paraphrased by John M. Neale (1818 - 1866); and The Snow Lay on the Ground, an Anglo-Irish carol, with a hint of O Come All Ye Faithful, music and lyrics by John Frances Wade (1711 - 1786), translated by Frederick Oakeley (1802 - 1880). Full of energy, sparkle, and joy!
• 

  K. Lee Scott
  b. 1950

  Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers – Laurentius Laurentii; arr. K. Lee Scott

  Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers is a stirring advent anthem that captivates the spirit of anticipation and celebration of Christ's coming, and to the joyful watchfulness of His promised return. It is based on the Swedish folk tune HAF TRONES LAMPA FӒRDIG. Swedish Lutheran pastor and hymn writer Laurentius Laurentii (1660 - 1722) served as a bishop and was known for combining doctrinal clarity with warm devotional expression. K. Lee Scott's sturdy and triumphant arrangement, with English translation by Sarah B Findlater (1823 - 1907), includes an impressive brass accompaniment which adds to the majesty of the presentation. A superb hymn concertato, it is an excellent change of pace during Advent.
• 

  Justin Thomas Fields
  b. 1981

  A Babe Is Born in Bethlehem – Justin Thomas Fields

  A delightful and spirited a cappella setting of the traditional 13th century Latin Christmas hymn and carol lyrics (Puer Natus in Bethlehem), translated by Hamilton Montgomerie MacGill (1807 - 1880). Modal harmonies lend a distinct feel to its style, while careful voice leading allows the choir to shine without accompaniment. A new composer for the Chorale, Fields is an experienced musician, director and composer as well as a skilled pianist, organist, and vocalist. He graduated from the Aaron Copland School of Music summa cum laude, with his BA in Music Education, as well as a Composition Concentration.
• 

  Ola Gjeilo
  b. 1978

  

  Charles Anthony
  Silvestri
  b. 1965

  Seasons – Ola Gjeilo; words by Charles Anthony Silvestri

  Elegantly simple, Gjeilo's gentle work features words by Charles Anthony Silvestri that explore the unique qualities of each of the four seasons with seasonal imagery. It is of outstanding beauty, and encourages one to feel and live life deeply, in moderate joy, in a pleasurable flow, as a humble but passionate expression of love for life and its splendor. Ola Gjeilo came to the United States from Norway in 2001 to study composition at the Julliard School. He is one of the most frequently performed composers in the choral world today.
• 

  Emily Crocker
  b. 1949

  Pastores á Belén (Shepherds to Bethlehem) – arr. Emily Crocker

  This Puerto Rican Villancico (a traditional Spanish carol) has a lilting feel - telling the shepherds to go to Bethlehem and see the newborn King. The Spanish text is adapted by Jaime Pérez with English text by Emily Crocker. The Christmas season in Puerto Rico is long, extending from early December until January 6, or even longer. It is a time of delicious food, great music, and merrymaking. One custom is a parrando, or a small group of friends who gather to make a surprise visit to another friend. The group gathers quietly at the front door, then begins singing carols and playing instruments.
• 

  Robert Burns
  1759 - 1796

  

  Dan Forrest
  b. 1978

  Auld Lang Syne – words by Robert Burns; arr. Dan Forrest

  The lesser-known tune from the British Isles was the original tune for Burns' text, which speaks meaningfully, not only during the holidays, but for any ceremony, graduation, memorial, or closing/parting and remains a treasured ballad. Auld Lang Syne literally translates to "old long since" or more poetically as "time gone by" or "old time's sake". Forrest's new arrangement is absolutely gorgeous.
• 

  Jill Gallina
  b. 1950

  Mi Y'malel – arr. Jill Gallina

  Celebrate Hanukkah with Jill Gallina's energetic arrangement of the traditional Hebrew tune. The story of brave Maccabeus is told in English and Hebrew, with a lively accompaniment that helps to create the joyful mood. The literal translation of the title is "Who can retell the mighty feats of Israel?" and is based on a secular interpretation of Psalm 106.2.
• 

  Douglas E. Wagner
  b. 1952

  Rejoice! (A Festive Carol Celebration) – arr. Douglas E. Wagner

  Here is a brilliant medley of nine traditional carols that are featured individually and also combined in clever counterpoint. Included are: O Come, All Ye Faithful, music and lyrics John Frances Wade (1711 - 1786), translated by Frederick Oakeley (1802 - 1880); O Come, Little Children, music by Johann Abraham Peter Schutz (1747 - 1800); words by Christoph von Schmid (1768 - 1854), translated by Herman H. Brueckner (1866 - 1942); Angels We Have Heard on High; a traditional French carol, English words by James Chadwick (1813 - 1882); Good King Wenceslas, a traditional Finnish tune, translated by Jason Mason Neale (1818 - 1866); I Saw Three Ships, a traditional English carol; Ukrainian Bell Carol, Mykola Leontovychin (1877 - 1921); words by Peter J. Wilhousky (1902 - 1978); God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen, a traditional English carol; Joy to the World; George Frideric Handel (1685 - 1759), arr. Lowell Mason (1792 - 1872), words by Isaac Watts (1674 - 1748); and The First Noel, a traditional English carol.
• 

  Stephen Hill
  1956 - 2012

  

  Daryl Williams

  

  Mary McDonald
  b. 1956

  Look Who Just Checked In – Stephen Hill and Daryl Williams; arr. Mary McDonald

  Gospel writers Daryl Williams and Stephen Hill created a southern gospel favorite that has great vitality. The happy anthem will bring smiles to all who hear it. Proclaiming the news that the long-awaited baby has been born, we see who just checked in - "into the barn, into the world, into the hearts of the boys and girls. Never been a baby quite like Him. Look who just checked in." Pairing it with just a hint of Mary Had a Baby, Mary McDonald offers a unique treatment in her arrangement.

• AN EASTERN EUROPEAN HOLIDAY

  

  Oradea, Romania

  • 

    Mark Burrows
    b. 1971

    Kolyadá (Russia) – arr. Mark Burrows

    Kolyadá is a Slavic word that refers to "a winter festival celebrated at the end of December in honor of the sun", or more commonly, "Christmastime". Today, Kolyadá represents the tradition of walking from house to house while singing and sifting grain, to offer warm holiday wishes in exchange for candy and small gifts (similar to the act of caroling in other parts of the world). Burrows' uplifting arrangement is a cappella with flowing independent harmonic lines in a polyphonic texture.
  • 

    Godfrey Tomanek
    1925 - 2015

    Slovak Carol (Slovakia) – arr. Godfrey Tomanek

    Capturing the essence of traditional Slovak holiday spirits, Tomanek's enchanting Christmas anthem is culturally rich, with melodious harmonies that resonate deeply during the joyous celebrations. As another new composer for the Chorale, Tomanek was a noted conductor, composer, organist, teacher, and piano technician, having held positions as organist/choir master in numerous churches in the Midwest and Connecticut. He also led choirs in over 500 concerts in the Northeast and gave recitals in many parts of the world. Tomanek was born in Chicago in 1925 and died in Old Lyme, CT in 2015.
  • 

    Alexandru Paşcanu
    1920 - 1989

    Chindia (Romania) – Alexandru Paşcanu

    Pronounced "keen-DEE-ah", this delightful work is perhaps Pascanu's most famous composition. The text is comprised of various syllables that create a stunning choral effect with a special, celebratory feeling. Chindia is based on an instrumental Romanian folk dance by the same name. It also refers both to the time of day just before the sun sets and to the place in the sky where the sun goes down. The dance is performed by both men and women in a closed circle, the dancer's arms on each other's shoulders. A vigorous dance, it uses small steps and may include amusing, somewhat athletic stunts. One can picture this festive dance being performed outside at the end of the day.
  • 

    James Knox
    b. 1970

    

    Peter J. Wilhousky
    1902 - 1978

    

    Mykola Leontovychin
    1877 - 1921

    Carol of the Bells (Bountiful Evening) (Ukraine) – Mykola Leontovychin; words by Peter J. Wilhousky; arr. James Knox

    Carol of the Bells like you've never heard before! Knox's arrangement of the most cherished and famous Ukrainian Bell Carol has a fresh, epic, and dramatic approach - even including the text "Bountiful Evening". Carol of the Bells wasn't always a Christmas song. Shchedryk (Bountiful Evening) is a Ukrainian New Year celebration song. Sung on New Year's Eve, it tells a story of a swallow flying into a household at New Year to sing of the wealth that will come with the following spring. It was arranged by the Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovychin between 1901 and 1919. American composer and educator Peter J. Wilhousky made it into a Christmas carol, Carol of the Bells. Following a performance of it on October 5, 1922, Wilhousky published his own lyrics for the melody and secured a copyright on his lyrics in 1936. The music has since become strongly associated with Christmas.
• 

  Pinkzebra

  December in My Hometown – Pinkzebra

  This warm ballad is a tribute to everyone's hometown during the special month of December. Relatable to choirs in both warm and cold climates, the song is about the cheerful decorations and good vibes that come around each year. Pinkzebra is the pseudonym of a successful music producer and composer. In his career he has been signed by a major record label, composed and produced music for television and film, and has had his music performed by major symphony labels. He loves listening to other people perform his music and appreciates that others are bringing his music to life in a way that connects and inspires.
• 

  Greg Gilpin
  b. 1969

  

  James Lord Pierpont
  1822 - 1893

  A One-Horse Open Sleigh (In a Jingly Minor Way) – Greg Gilpin; words by James Lord Pierpont

  Familiar but fresh, the traditional lyrics are set to a jingly minor version that offers an animated and rhythmic writing between the vocal lines above a bouncing accompaniment. In 1832, lyricist James Lord Pierpont left his Boston, Mass. home for a boarding school in New Hampshire at the age of 10. The son of a strict Unitarian minister, John Pierpont, James wrote to his mother about how much he enjoyed his sleigh ride through the beautiful countryside. That vision and his enjoyment of the sleigh racing in Medford, Massachusetts, where he lived as a young man, are credited as the inspiration for Jingle Bells. The song, one of the most popular ever, was the first song broadcast from space during the Gemini 6 mission in 1965. Pierpont originally released Jingle Bells under a different name: One-Horse Open Sleigh. He wrote it for music producer John Ordway, a native of Salem, Mass. Ordway had a varied career as a physician, politician, and music store owner in addition to running a minstrel show. Pierpont wrote The Returned Californian for Ordway's troupe, as well as One-Horse Open Sleigh. Two years later it was reissued as Jingle Bells.
• 

  Mindy Smith
  b. 1972

  

  Chely Wright
  b. 1970

  

  Mark Hayes
  b. 1953

  Santa Will Find You – Mindy Smith and Chely Wright; arr. Mark Hayes

  A perfect song filled with childhood innocence and Christmas wonder. With a moderate jazz rhythm, it is a truly heartwarming piece that can be a dedication to the military families who can't be together for Christmas, or as a tribute to the many people who are alone for the holidays. The emotions include loneliness, hope, and comfort. Having floated on seasonal airwaves for years, the song offers a promise of being found and remembered, even when physically apart. The lyrics "You'll never be lost if you truly believe in your heart" show the central message: belief in love and connection can overcome distance. The image of a northern star and a beacon hint at guidance and light in dark times.
• 

  Henry Sanicola 1914 - 1974
  Frank Sinatra 1915 - 1998

  

  Dok Stanford
  1917 - 1967

  

  Mark Hayes
  b. 1953

  Mistletoe and Holly – Frank Sinatra, Dok Stanford, and Henry Sanicola; arr. Mark Hayes

  A holiday pops tune straight out of the Rat Pack era, Mistletoe and Holly was co-written and made famous by Frank Sinatra in 1957. It is a cheerful and warmhearted Christmas standard recorded by Sinatra, along with co-writers Dok Stanford and Henry Sanicola, for his beloved 1957 holiday album, "A Jolly Christmas From Frank Sinatra", released by Capitol Records. The album became one of the best-selling Christmas albums in American history, and Mistletoe and Holly stands as one of its most enduring tracks. The album reached the top of the Billboard charts and has remained a holiday staple for decades, cementing Sinatra's status as the definitive voice of the American Christmas tradition. Mark Hayes' swing arrangement starts with voices swapping the melody, then blossoms into sweet choral sonorities accompanied by a snazzy big band arrangement.
• 

  Sheri Easter
  b. 1963

  

  Mike Speck
  b. 1954

  

  Lari Goss
  1945 - 2015

  

  Danny Zaloudik
  b. 1956

  Something to Shout About! – Sheri Easter; arr. Mike Speck, Lari Goss and Danny Zaloudik

  The title says it all! It captures the essence of Christmas spirituals. Weaving traditional fervor with contemporary harmonies, and a quick quote of "Go Tell It on the Mountain", for a rousing and infectious finale that is positively electrifying!