So Pure, So Fair — May 1, 2020

Derived from a range of outstanding choral music, my themed Playlists are designed to be like concerts, of about an hour in length. The music of this fourth Playlist in my series depicts the serenity and beauty of nature. If music be the food of love, play on.

Listen on YouTube:

Listen on Spotify:

PROGRAM

Click the links for information on the pieces and texts/translations.

i thank You God for most this amazing day Eric Whitacre (b. 1970)

 

Background and Text

Performed by Eric Whitacre Singers, conducted by Eric Whitacre

 

The Blue Bird

Charles Villiers Stanford (1852-1924)

 

Text

Performed by Tenebrae, conducted by Nigel Short

 

Walden PondDominick Argento (1927-2019)

 

The Pond
Angling
Observing
Extolling
Walden Revisited

Text

Performed by Dale Warland Singers, conducted by Dale Warland

 

Hildor Lundvik (1885-1951)

Nocturnes

 

Som ett blommande mandelträd
Verlaine-stämning
Det första vårregnet

Translations

Performed by Allmänna Sången, conducted by Cecilia Rydinger Alin (Spotify)
Som ett blommande mandelträd and Verlaine-stämning: Performed by Swedish Radio Chorus, conducted by Gustaf Sjökvist (YouTube)
Det första vårregnet: Performed by Uppsala University Chamber Choir, conducted by Stefan Parkman (YouTube)

 

AftonenHugo Alfvén (1872-1960)

 

Still, still the woods, radiant the heavens.
Dim, distant horns fill the air with their echo.
Sunset glowing, slowly, slowly disappearing
Beneath the sea.
Through the mountains, through the valleys,
Lingering the echoes sound.
                    Original Swedish text by Carl Herman Sätherberg

Performed by Amadeus-Chor, conducted by Nicol Matt

 

Now Sleeps the Crimson PetalPaul Mealor (b. 1975)

 

Text

Performed by Tenebrae, conducted by Nigel Short

 

WaldesnachtJohannes Brahms (1833-1897)

 

Translation

Performed by RIAS Kammerchor, conducted by Marcus Creed

 

Erev Shel ShoshanimYosef Hadar (1926-2006); Arr. Jack Klebanow

 

Background and Translation

Performed in Live Concert by Tucson Chamber Artists (now True Concord), Conducted by Eric Holtan