Program Notes

Welcome to A Ladymass for Advent! Our concert tonight represents a special blend of three diverse English repertoires, which together constitute an entire musical liturgy for Easter mass. The earliest musical layer is Gregorian chant, including items from the propers for a Saturday Advent Mass in veneration of the Virgin Mary, as celebrated in one of the side chapels at Salisbury Cathedral in the fourteenth century. The rites at Salisbury are extraordinarily well-documented, and we have available to us detailed descriptions not only of the music itself, but of the movement and ritual which accompanied the celebration of mass. We draw from the Salisbury repertoire the simple tones for the Collect, Epistle, Gospel, Preface and Postcommunion, and responses and dialogs which knit the mass together.

The second musical layer in our concert is a set of Propers for Advent Ladymass by William Byrd (1543-1623). Byrd was concerned throughout his career to provide repertoire for the Catholic service, which of course was officially outlawed at the time in England, though tolerated with the payment of a hefty tax. In the last decade of the sixteenth century, Byrd published his three settings of the Mass Ordinary, in three, four and five parts. These settings could serve as the musical foundation for the celebration of virtually any mass. Then, in 1605 and 1607, Byrd published two volumes of Gradualia. These volumes contained settings of the important musical texts which were proper to the various important feast days of the church year.

Each of the Advent Ladymass Propers is composed for five voices, in a full-blown Renaissance contrapuntal style, with special attention given to the meaning of the words. The Annunciation story forms the core of this service, and Byrd seems to have been especially inspired by the texts alluding to this event. Particularly noteworthy are the Ave Maria, in which the humble beginning grows organically into a joyous and grateful Alleluia;  and the Ecce virgo concipiet, which builds inevitably towards the crucial word Emmanuel (“God with us”). Byrd’s setting of the Credo from the Mass in Four Parts is also included in our concert, since the Patterson lacks a Credo.

The third piece of the liturgical puzzle is the Missa Brevis of Paul Patterson. Patterson is a contemporary English composer active in both vocal and instrumental music. He published the Missa in 1985. The work is well-known in choral circles in England, and was brought to Sonoma County in 1994 by Lisa Graham, a former SSU student who performed Patterson’s work while an exchange student in Kingston, England. The Missa is a wonderful piece, combining moments of Renaissance and even Medieval purity with exciting jazz rhythms and a hip harmonic language.

Together, these three repertoires are woven into a complete Mass celebration, omitting only those sections (mostly spoken) which accomplish the blessing and serving of the Sacrament. We hope you enjoy A Ladymass for Advent, and invite you to attend our  other concerts (detailed elsewhere in this program) which conclude our fall season.


A Ladymass for Advent

Introit: Rorate caeli desuper                                                                                      William Byrd (from Gradualia)

Kyrie eleison                                                                                                     Paul Patterson (From Missa Brevis)

Gloria in excelsis Deo                                                                                        Paul Patterson (From Missa Brevis)

Collect                                                                                                                Chant (Use of Salisbury Cathedral)

Lectio (Isaiah 7:10-15)                                                                                       Chant (Use of Salisbury Cathedral)

Gradual: Tollite portas                                                                                              William Byrd (from Gradualia)

Versus: Ave Maria                                                                                                   William Byrd (from Gradualia)

Gospel (Luke 1: 26-38)                                                                                      Chant (Use of Salisbury Cathedral)

Credo in unum Deum                                                                                     William Byrd (from Four-Part Mass)

Offertory: Ave Maria                                                                                                William Byrd (from Gradualia)

Intermission

Preface                                                                                                               Chant (Use of Salisbury Cathedral)

Sanctus                                                                                                             Paul Patterson (From Missa Brevis)

Benedictus                                                                                                        Paul Patterson (From Missa Brevis)

Pater noster                                                                                                        Chant (Use of Salisbury Cathedral)

Agnus Dei                                                                                                         Paul Patterson (From Missa Brevis)

Communion: Ecce Virgo concipiet                                                                            William Byrd (from Gradualia)

Postcommunion                                                                                                  Chant (Use of Salisbury Cathedral)

Ite missa est                                                                                                        Chant (Use of Salisbury Cathedral)


Texts


Introit

 

Rorate caeli desuper

Drop down dew, heavens, from above,

et nubes pluant justum;

And let the clouds rain down the just one;

aperiatur terra

Let the earth be opened

et germinet salvatorem.

And bud forth a savior.

   

Versus: Benedixisti Domine terram tuam;

Lord, you have blessed your land;

Avertisti captivitatem Jacob.

You have turned aside the captivity of Jacob

   

Gloria Patri et Filio

Glory be to the father, and to the Son

et Spiritui Sancto;

And to the Holy Spirit;

Sicut erat in principio,

As it was in the beginning,

et nunc et semper

Is now and ever shall be,

et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.

World without end. Amen.

   

Kyrie

 

Kyrie eleison.

Lord, have mercy.

Christe eleison.

Christ, have mercy.

Kyrie eleison.

Lord, have mercy.

   

Gloria

 

Gloria in excelsis Deo.

Glory to God in the highest,

Et in terra pax

and on earth peace

hominibus bonae voluntatis.

to those of good will.

Laudamus te, benedicimus te,

We praise thee, we bless thee,

adoramus te, glorificamus te.

we adore thee, we glorify thee.

Gratias agimus tibi

We give thanks to thee

propter magnam gloriam tuam.

for thy great glory

Domine Deus, Rex coelestis,

Lord God, heavenly king,

Deus Pater omnipotens.

God the Father almighty.

Domine Fili unigenite,

Lord Jesus Christ,

Jesu Christe.

the only-begotten Son.

Domine Deus, Agnus Dei,

Lord God, Lamb of God,

Filius Patris.

Son of the Father.

   

Qui tollis peccata mundi,

Who takes away the sins of the world,

suscipe deprecationem nostram.

receive our prayer.

Qui sedes ad dexteram Patris,

Who sittest at the right hand of the Father,

miserere nobis.

have mercy upon us.

   

Quoniam tu solus Sanctus.

For thou alone art holy.

Tu solus Dominus.

Thou alone art the Lord.

Tu solus Altissimus,

Thou alone art most high,

Jesu Christe.

Jesus Christ.

Cum Sancto Spiritu

With the Holy Ghost

in gloria Dei Patris.

in the glory of God the Father.

Amen.

Amen.

   

     Priest: Dominus vobiscum.

The Lord be with you.

     Choir: Et cum Spiritu tuo.

And with thy spirit.

     Priest: Oremus.

Let us pray.

   

Collect

 

     Priest : Deus, qui de beatae Mariae Virginis utero Verbum tuum, Angelo nuntiante, carnem suscipere voluisti:

O God, you who have willed that at the message of an angel your word should take flesh in the womb of the blessed Virgin Mary:

Praesta supplicibus tuis; ut qui vere eam Genetricem Dei credimus, ejus apud te intercessionibus adjuvemur. Per eumdem Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium tuum: qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen

Grant that your supplicant people, who believe her to be truly the Mother of God, may be helped by her intercession with you. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns in unity with the Holy Spirit of God, now and forever. Amen.

   

Lectio: Isaiah 7:10-15

 

     Subdeacon: Lectio Isaiae Prophetae: In diebus illis: Locutus est Dominus ad Achaz, dicens: Pete tibi signum a Domino Deo tuo in profundum inferni, sive in excelsum supra. Et dixit Ahaz: Non petam et non temptabo Dominum. Et dixit: Audite ergo, domus David: Numquid parum vobis est, molestos esse hominibus, quia molesti estis et Deo meo? Propter hoc dabit Dominus ipse vobis signum. Ecce virgo concipiet, et pariet filium, et vocabitur nomen ejus Emmanuel. Butyrum et mel comedet, ut sciat reprobare malum, et eligere bonum

A lesson from the book of the Prophet Isaiah: On that day the Lord spoke to Ahaz, "Ask a sign of the Lord your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven." But Ahaz said, "I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test." And he said, "Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary men, that you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, a young woman shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Emmanuel. He shall eat curds and honey when he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good.”

   

Gradual

 

Tollite portas, principes, vestras;

Lift up your gates, princes

Elevamini, portae aeternales;

Ánd be lifted up, eternal gates

Et introibit Rex gloriae.

Ánd the King of glory will enter in.

   

Versus: Quis ascendit in montem Domini?

Who will climb the mountain of the Lord?

Aut quis stabit in loco sancto ejus?

Or who will stand in his holy place?

Innocens manibus et mundo corde. Alleluia.

The innocent one, tho one whose heart is clean.Alleluia.

   

Versus: Ave Maria gratia plena, Dominus tecum:

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you;

Benedicta tu in mulieribus

Blessed are you among women,

Et benedictus fructus ventris tui. Alleluia.

And blessed is the fruit of your womb.

   

     Priest: Dominus vobiscum.

The Lord be with you.

     Choir: Et cum Spiritu tuo.

And with thy spirit.

   

Gospel: Luke 1: 26-38

 

     Deacon: Sequentia sancti Evangelii secundum Lucam.

The holy gospel according to St. Luke.

     Choir: Gloria tibi Domine.

Glory be to you, Lord.

   

     Deacon: In illo tempore: Missus est angelus Gabriel a Deo in civitatem Galilaeae, cui nomen Nazareth, ad virginem desponsatam viro, cui nomen erat Joseph de domo David, et nomen virginis Maria.

At that time, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.

Et ingressus ad eam dixit: “Ave, gratia plena, Dominus tecum. Benedicta tu in mulieribus.” Quae cum audisset ipsa autem turbata est in sermone eius et cogitabat qualis esset ista salutatio. Et ait angelus ei: “Ne timeas, Maria; invenisti enim gratiam apud Deum. Et ecce concipies in utero et paries filium et vocabis nomen eius Iesum.

And he came to her and said, "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you! Blessed are you among women." But when she heard this she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered in her mind what sort of greeting this might be.
And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and shall call his name Jesus.

Hic erit magnus et Filius Altissimi vocabitur, et dabit illi Dominus Deus sedem David patris eius, et regnabit super domum Iacob in aeternum, et regni eius non erit finis”. Dixit autem Maria ad angelum: “Quomodo fiet istud, quoniam virum non cognosco?”

He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and his kingdom will have no end." And Mary said to the angel, "How shall this be, since I have no husband?"

Et respondens angelus dixit ei: “Spiritus Sanctus superveniet in te, et virtus Altissimi obumbrabit tibi: ideoque et quod nascetur sanctum, vocabitur Filius Dei. Et ecce Elisabeth cognata tua et ipsa concepit filium in

And the angel said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, your kinswoman Elizabeth in her old age

senecta sua, et hic mensis est sextus illi, quae vocatur sterilis,  quia non erit impossibile apud Deum omne verbum”. Dixit autem Maria: “Ecce ancilla Domini; fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum.”

has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible." And Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaiden of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word."

   

Credo

 

Credo in unum Deum,

I believe in one God,

Patrem omnipotentem,

the Father Almighty,

factorem coeli et terrae,

creator of heaven and earth,

visibilium omnium

and of all things visible

et invisibilium.

and invisible.

Et in unum Dominum Jesum Christum,

And in one Lord Jesus Christ,

filium Dei unigenitum.

only-begotten son of the father.

Et ex Patre natum

Born of the Father

ante omnia saecula.

before all worlds.

Deum de Deo,

God of God,

lumen de lumine,

light of light,

Deum verum de Deo vero.

true God of true God;

Genitum non factum,

Begotten, not made;

consubstantialem Patri;

consubstantial with the Father;

per quem omnia facta sunt.

by whom all things were made.

   

Qui propter nos homines

Who for us men,

et propter nostram salutem

and for our salvation,

descendit de coelis.

came down from heaven.

Et incarnatus est

And was incarnate

de Spiritu Sancto

by the Holy Ghost

ex Maria Virgine,

of the Virgin Mary;

et homo factus est.

and was made man.

   

Crucifixus etiam pro nobis:

He was crucified for us,

sub Pontio Pilato,

under Pontius Pilate,

passus et sepultus est.

suffered and was buried.

   

Et resurrexit tertia die,

And the third day he rose again,

secundum Scripturas.

according to the Scriptures.

Et ascendit in coelum:

And ascended into heaven.

sedet ad dexteram Patris.

He sitteth on the right hand of the Father;

Et iterum venturas est cum gloria,

and he shall come again with glory

judicare vivos et mortuos:

to judge the living and the dead;

cujus regni non erit finis.

and his kingdom shall have no end.

   

Et in Spiritum Sanctum,

And in the Holy Ghost,

Dominum et vivificantem;

the Lord and giver of life,

qui ex Patre Filioque procedit.

who proceedeth from the Father and the Son.

Qui cum Patre et Filio

Who together with the Father and the Son

simul adoratur et conglorificatur:

adored and glorified;

qui locutus est per Prophetas.

who spoke by the Prophets.

   

Et unam sanctam catholicam

And in one, holy, catholic

et apostolicam Ecclesiam.

and apostolic Church.

Confiteor unum baptisma

I confess one baptism

in remissionem peccatorum.

for the remission of sins.

Et expecto resurrectionem mortuorum.

And I await the resurrection of the dead,

Et vitam venturi saeculi.

and the life of the world to come.

Amen.

Amen.

   

     Priest: Dominus vobiscum.

The Lord be with you.

     Choir: Et cum Spiritu tuo.

And with thy spirit.

     Priest: Oremus.

Let us pray.

   

Offertory

 

Ave Maria gratia plena, Dominus tecum:

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you;

Benedicta tu in mulieribus

Blessed are you among women,

Et benedictus fructus ventris tui. Alleluia.

And blessed is the fruit of your womb.

   
   

INTERMISSION

   
   

     Priest: Dominus vobiscum.

The Lord be with you.

     Choir: Et cum Spiritu tuo.

And with thy spirit.

   

     Priest: Sursum corda.

Lift up your hearts.

     Choir: Habemus ad Dominum.

We lift them up to the Lord.

     Priest: Gratias agamus Domino Deo nostro.

We give thanks to the Lord our God.

     Choir: Dignum et justum est.

It is meet and right so to do.

   

Preface

 

     Priest : Vere dignum et justum est, aequum et salutare, nos tibi semper, et ubique gratias agere: Domine  sancte, Pater omnipotens, aeterne Deus. Et te in veneratione beatae Mariae semper Virginis  collaudare, benedicere, et praedicare. Quae et Unigenitum tuum Sancti Spiritus obumbratione concepit: et virginitatis gloria permanente, lumen aeternum mundo effudit, Jesum Christum Dominum nostrum.

It it truly meet and just, right and for our salvation, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto Thee, O holy Lord, Father almighty, everlasting God: and that we should praise and bless, and proclaim Thee, in the venera-tion of the Blessed Mary, ever-Virgin: Who also conceived Your only-begotten Son by the overshadowing of the Holy Ghost, and the glory of her virginity still abiding, gave forth to the world the everlasting Light, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Per quem majestatem tuam laudant Angeli, adorant Dominationes, tremunt  Potestates. Coeli, coelorumque Virtutes, ac beata Seraphim, socia exsultatione concel-ebrant. Cum quibus et nostras voces, ut admitti jubeas deprecamur, supplici confessione dicentes:

Through whom the Angels praise your majesty; the Domi-nions adore it; the Powers tremble before it; the heavens, and the heavenly Virtues, and blessed Seraphim, with com-mon jubilee glorify it. Together with whom we beseech You that we may be admitted to join our humble voices, saying :

   

Sanctus

 

Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus,

Holy, holy, holy,

Dominus Deus Sabaoth.

Lord God of hosts.

Pleni sunt coeli et terra gloria tua.

Heaven and earth are full of thy glory.

Hosanna in excelsis.

Hosanna in the highest.

   

Benedictus

 

Benedictus qui venit

Blessed is the one that cometh

in nomine Domini.

in the name of the Lord.

Hosanna in excelsis.

Hosanna in the highest.

   

     Priest: Oremus. Praeceptis salutaribus moniti, et divina

     institutione formati, audemus dicere:

Let us pray. Admonished by salutary precepts, and following divine directions, we presume to say:

   

Pater noster

 

     Priest: Pater noster, qui es in coelis: sanctificetur nomen tuum: adveniat regnum tuum: fiat voluntas tua sicut in coelo et in terra. Panem nostrum quotidianum da nobis hodie: et dimitte nobis debita nostra, sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris. Et ne nos inducas in tentationem. Sed libera nos a malo.

Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

   

Agnus Dei

 

Agnus Dei,

Lamb of God,

qui tollis peccata mundi,

who takest away the sins of the world,

miserere nobis.

have mercy on us.

   
   

Agnus Dei,

Lamb of God,

qui tollis peccata mundi,

who takest away the sins of the world,

miserere nobis.

have mercy on us.

   

Agnus Dei,

Lamb of God,

qui tollis peccata mundi:

who takest away the sins of the world:

Dona nobis pacem.

Grant us peace.

   

Communion

 

Ecce virgo concipiet

Behold, a virgin will conceive

Et pariet filium,

And bear a son,

Et vocabitur nomen ejus Emmanuel.

And his name will be called Emmanuel.

   

     Priest: Dominus vobiscum.

The Lord be with you.

     Choir: Et cum Spiritu tuo.

And with thy spirit.

     Priest: Oremus.

Let us pray.

   

Postcommunion

 

     Priest: Gratiam tuam quaesumus Domine mentibus nostris infunde ut qui angelo nuntiante Christi filii tui incarnationem cognovimus per passionem eius et crucem ad resurrectionis gloriam perducamur. Per eumdem Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium tuum: qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.

Lord, fill our hearts with your grace: once, through the message of an angel you revealed to us the incarnation of your Son; now, through His suffering and death lead us to the glory of His resurrection. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns in unity with the Holy Spirit of God, now and forever. Amen.

   

     Priest: Dominus vobiscum.

The Lord be with you.

     Choir: Et cum Spiritu tuo.

And with thy spirit.

   

Ite missa est

 

     Deacon: Ite, missa est.

Go, the mass is finished.

     Choir: Deo gracias.

Thanks be to God.

Personnel

Sonoma State University Chamber Singers

Directed by Robert Worth

*indicates soloist

Shawna Anderson*

Kelly Butler

Claire Callaghan

Kieran Coghlan

Melanie Dodson*

Jennifer Frederick

Isaac Gonzalez

Kristofer Haugen

Anthony Martin*

Muftiah Martin*

Amy Martin

Sarah Minnick

Steve Osborn*

Ana Robinson

Sarah Shimmin

Mike Silverman*

Michael Steiner*

Lauren Tyner

Rachel Walters*

Aaron Walz


About the Performers

The Sonoma State University Chamber Singers is an ensemble of 20 singers dedicated to the performance of Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque music. In addition, the group occasionally does projects which feature contemporary music. Founded in 1991, the group has performed the work of such composers as Guillaume de Machaut, Johannes Ciconia, Josquin des Pres, Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina and Claudio Monteverdi. For the spring season, the Chamber Singers will perform a a Mass for Corpus Christi, featuring works by Josquin Despres, Heinrich Isaac and Frank Martin. In the 2003-04 academic year, the Chamber Singers will be touring Spain with the Sonoma County Bach Choir. For audition information, please call Bob Worth at 664-2218.

Robert Worth is Professor of Music at Sonoma State University, where he has directed the choral ensembles since 1983. He received his BA in music at SSU in 1980, and earned his Master’s degree in musicology at UC Berkeley. His specialty is early music; SSU choral groups perform a broad range of repertoire from the Medieval through the Classical periods, with occasional excursions into the 19th and 20th centuries. In addition, Bob is a composer and arranger. Many of his vocal arrangements and compositions have been performed by groups in California and beyond. He is a past recipient of SSU’s Outstanding Professor award, as well as numerous other honors, grants and fellowships.

Upcoming Concerts

Brahms Requiem

The Santa Rosa Symphony Honor Choir, with the Sonoma County Bach Choir at its core, joins the Santa Rosa Symphony, under the direction of Jeffrey Kahane, to perform Brahms’ masterpiece, Ein deutsches Requiem. The concert features soloists Karina Gauvin, soprano, and Stephen Powell, baritone

Saturday and Monday, December 7 and 9, at 8 PM

Sunday, December 8, at 3 PM

Luther Burbank Center, 50 Mark West Springs Road, Santa Rosa

Call 54-MUSIC for further information or to purchase tickets.

Celebrate the Solstice!

The SSU Chorus, with harpist Laura Simpson, presents music marking the coming of the short, dark days of winter, and anticipating the return of the invincible sun. The featured work, Benjamin Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols, forms the core of a diverse program of works both sacred and secular.

Friday, December 13, and Saturday, December 14 at 8 PM

Holy Family Episcopal Church

1500 E. Cotati Ave (at Snyder Lane)

Rohnert Park

Call the SSU Box Office at 664-2353 for further information or to purchase tickets.