Prayer for Peace

     A concert of sacred contemporary vocal & organ music by Eli Tamar,

Emmanuel Dubois, Serge Khrichenko,

and James Macmillan


FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2021, AT 7:30PM

At Aldersgate United Methodist Church



CONCERT PROGRAM

PART I

  1. "O RADIANT DAWN" by James MacMillan, performed by Wesley Choir of Aldersgate Church
  2. "AVE MARIA" by Emmanuel Dubois, performed by soprano Yulia Petrachuk and organist Nick Will
  3. "AVE MARIA" by Eli Tamar, performed by mezzo-soprano Katelyn Jackman and organist Nick Will
  4. "I PAKI TI REKU" (И пакы ти реку), trio by Eli Tamar, performed by sopranos Simone Brown and Yulia Petrachuk, and mezzo-soprano Katelyn Jackman – World Premiere
  5. "LORD's PRAYER" (Отче наш), trio by Eli Tamar, performed by sopranos Simone Brown and Olga Orlovskaya, mezzo-soprano Katelyn Jackman, and organist Nick Will
  6. "CANTICUM FRATRIS SOLIS", duet-cantata by Eli Tamar, performed by soprano Olga Orlovskaya, mezzo-soprano Katelyn Jackman, and organist Nick Will
  7. "PRAYER FOR PEACE"(Молитва о мире) by Eli Tamar, performed by soprano Yulia Petrachuk and organist Nick Will


PART II

  1. "SAINT FRANCIS PRAYER" by Eli Tamar, performed by mezzo-soprano Katelyn Jackman and organist Nick Will
  2. "AKATHIST TO THE HOLY VIRGIN" (Акафист Пресвятой Богородице) by Eli Tamar, performed by soprano Olga Orlovskaya
  3. "CANTATA FOR 9/11" by Serge Khrichenko, performed by quartet Lost on Mars (piano, guitar, organ, soprano) – World Premiere



LYRICS

PART I


1. "O RADIANT DAWN" by James MacMillan

O Radiant Dawn, O Radiant Dawn, O Radiant

Dawn Splendour of Eternal Light

Sun of Justice, Sun of Justice, Sun of Justice

Come, come, come, come, come,

Come shine on those who dwell in darkness

And the shadow of death Isaiah had prophesied,

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great Light.

Upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone’

O Radiant Dawn, O Radiant Dawn, O Radiant Dawn

Splendour of Eternal Light

Sun of Justice, Sun of Justice, Sun of Justice

Come, come, come, come, come,

Come shine on those who dwell in darkness And the shadow of death

Amen, amen, amen, amen, amen, amen


2. "AVE MARIA" by Emmanuel Dubois

"Ave Maria" originally is a second movement, "Chorale," from the Dubois' Organ Sonata, op. 16. The harmonization of an ascending C major scale is the main motif of the Chorale. It is a quiet contrast with Dawn, a moment of meditation. Thanks to its peaceful simplicity, this movement became a Meditation on Friendship.

3. "AVE MARIA" by Eli Tamar

Based on the most famous Catholic Prayer, is a short piece in which the composer distilled the sound to reflect the divine, pure light- an eternal source of comfort and assurance for a suffering human soul. 

Ave Maria Gratia plena

Maria, gratia plena,

Maria, gratia plena

Ave, ave dominus

Dominus tecum

Bendicta tu in mulieribus

Et benedictus,

Et benedictus fructus ventris

Ventris tui, Iesus

Ave Maria.

Ave Maria

Maiden mild

I listen to a maidens prayer

For thou canst hear amid the wild'

'Tis thou, 'tis thou canst save me amid despair

We slumber safely 'til the morrow

Though e'en by men outcast reviled

Oh maiden, see a maiden sorrow

Oh mother hear a suppliant child

Ave Maria.

4. Trio "I PAKI TI REKU" (And so I will tell you again) by Eli Tamar - World Premiere

Is based on text from the 12-century anonymous inscription on the wall of St. Sophia Cathedral in the ancient city of Novgorod. The poetic text is inward looking and soul-searching. This is the world premiere of this work. 

И пакы ти реку, о душе моя:

Чемоу лежиши,

Чемоу не въстанеши

Чемоу не молиши ся

Господоу своемоу дьнь и ночь?

Зъло видоучи, а добра не видоучи,

Чоужемоу доброу завидоучи,

А сама добра не творячи?

And I’ll tell you again, O, my soul!

Why are you lying,

Why don't you get up

Why don't you pray

To your Lord day and night?

Seeing evil, and not seeing good,

Envious of someone else’s good,

But yourself (the soul) not doing good?

5. "LORD's PRAYER" (Отче наш) by Eli Tamar

Отче наш, иже еси на небесех!

Да святится имя Твое,

да приидет Царствие Твое,

Да будет воля Твоя,

Яко на небеси и на земли.

Хлеб наш насущный даждь нам днесь;

И остави нам долги наша,

Якоже и мы оставляем должником нашим;

И не введи нас во искушение,

но избави нас от лукаваго.

Our Father, which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy Name.

Thy Kingdom come.

Thy will be done in earth,

As it is in heaven, as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

And forgive us our trespasses,

As we forgive them that trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

6. "CANTICUM FRATRIS SOLIS", duet by Eli Tamar

In this large-scale composition, Tamar weaves together elements of various styles: from Gregorian chant to medieval polyphonic textures, from Renaissance modal harmonies to impressionistic word painting and Italian verismo, all the while without resorting to stylization. The Canticle of the Creatures, written by St. Francis of Assisi, is also known as the the Canticle of the Sun. This hymn, was written during the transition period in the development of the Italian language from Latin, and is the earliest known vernacular literature written in the Umbrian dialect of Italian. There are three sections to the Canticle:

  • A praise to God for His creations such as "Brother Sun", "Sister Moon", "Brother Wind", "Sister Water"

This section of the Canticle was written at the end of St. Francis's life (1224) as he was recovering from an illness with St. Claire and the Poor Sisters in San Damiano. At this point in his life, St. Francis was almost completely blind, and yet through his suffering, he composed this song of praise of God for all the wonders of creation.

  • A praise for those who forgive for the love of God and who endure trials in peace

The second part of the Canticle was composed when Francis reconciled the bishop and the podestá (Chief Magistrate) of Assisi. He sent his friars to sing the first part of the canticle in front of them which led to their reconciliation.

  • A praise for "Sister Bodily Death", and to those "whom death will find in Your most holy will"

According to tradition, the first time the Canticle was sung in its entirety was by Francis and Brothers Angelo and Leo, two of his original companions, on Francis' deathbed. The final verse praising "Sister Death" was said to have been added only a few minutes before Francis' death.

«Altissimu, onnipotente, bon Signore, 

Tue so' le laude, la gloria e l'honore

Et onne benedictione.

Ad te solo, Altissimu, se konfàno 

Et nullu homo ène dignu te mentovare.

Laudato sie, mi' Signore, cum tucte le tue creature, spetialmente messor lo frate sole, 

lo qual è iorno, et allumini noi per lui. 

Et ellu è bellu e radiante cum grande splendore,

De te, Altissimo, porta significatione.

Laudato si', mi' Signore, per sora luna e le stelle,

In celu l'ài formate clarite et pretiose et belle.

Laudato si', mi' Signore, per frate vento

Et per aere et nubilo et sereno et onne tempo,

Per lo quale a le tue creature dài sustentamento.

Laudato si', mi' Signore, per sor'aqua,

La quale è multo utile et humile et pretiosa et casta.


Laudato si, mi signore, per frate focu, per lo quale Enn'allumini la nocte, ed ello è bello et iocundo et robustoso et forte.

Laudato si, mi signore, per sora nostra matre terra,

La quale ne sustenta et governa,

Et produce diversi fructi con coloriti flori et herba.

Laudato si, mi signore, per quelli ke perdonano

Per lo tuo amore, et sostengo infirmitate et tribulatione.

Beati quelli ke 'l sosterrano in pace, ka da te, altissimo, sirano incoronati.

Laudato si, mi signore, per sora nostra morte corporale,

Da la quale nullu homo vivente pò skappare.

Guai acquelli, ke morrano ne le peccata mortali:

Beati quelli ke trovarà ne le tue sanctissime voluntati,

Ka la morte secunda nol farrà male.

Laudate et benedicete mi signore, et rengratiate

Et serviateli cun grande humilitate.

Most high, all-powerful, all-good Lord!

All praise is yours, all glory, all honor, and all blessing.

To you, alone, Most High, do they belong.

No mortal lips are worthy to pronounce your name.

Be praised, my Lord, through all your creatures,

Especially through my Lord Brother Sun,

Who brings the day; and you give light through him.

And he is beautiful and radiant in all his splendor!

Of you, Most High, he bears the likeness.


Be praised, my Lord, through Sister Moon

and the stars; in the heavens,

you have made them precious and beautiful.


Be praised, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air, and clouds and storms, and all the weather, through which you give your creatures sustenance.


Be praised, My Lord, through Sister Water;

She is very useful, and humble, and precious, and pure.

All praise be yours, my Lord, through Brother Fire,

Through whom you brighten up the night.

How beautiful is he, how cheerful! Full of power and strength.

All praise be yours, my Lord, through our Sister

Mother Earth, who sustains us and governs us

And produces various fruits with colored flowers and herbs.


All praise be yours, my Lord,

Through those who grant pardon

For love of you; through those

Who endure sickness and trial.

Happy are those who endure in peace, 

By You, Most High, they will be crowned.

All praise be yours, my Lord, 

through Sister Death corporal,

From whose embrace no mortal can escape.

Woe to those who die in mortal sin!

Happy those she finds doing your will! 

The second death can do them no harm.

Praise and bless my Lord, and give him thanks

And serve him with great humility.

7. "PRAYER FOR PEACE” (Молитва о мире) by Eli Tamar

Is somber communal pleas for help and salvation. In this work, the composer paid homage to the spectacular musical tradition of Russian Orthodox music, yet speaking in his unique voice. 

Владыко Вседержителю, Святый Царю! 

Призри с небесе и виждь, 

Како враждуют людие земли нашея

И замышляют друг на друга суетное и злобное. 

О, Многомилостиве! 

Прости грехи и беззакония наша, 

Ихже ради многия скорби, беды

И устрашения приидоша на ны. 

Благодатию Пресвятаго Духа 

Ороси любовию изсохшия сердца людския, 

Тернием самолюбия, ненависти, 

Зависти, злобы, вражды, лукавства 

И иных беззаконий поросшия!


Да возрастят горящую к Тебе 

И братиям своим любовь, 

И ею да будут истреблены вси распри,

Раздоры, разделения во Отечестве нашем.

Усердно молим Тя: 

Мир державе нашей даруй, 

Церкви Твоей и всем людем земли нашея.

Ты бо еси Царь мира 

И мира Твоего несть предела 

И Тебе слава и благодарение 

И поклонение от всех да возсылается,

Ныне и присно и во веки веков. Аминь!

Lord Almighty, Holy King!

Look from heaven and see

How the people of our land are at enmity,

And plot vain and evil against each other.

Oh, the Most Merciful!

Forgive our sins and iniquities,

For the sake of much sorrow, misfortune

And intimidation came to us.

Sprinkle with the grace of the Holy Spirit

The love of the withering heart of mankind,

With the thorns of pride, hatred, envy,

Anger, enmity, deceit, and other iniquities of the growth!

May the love that burns for You

And your brethren grow,

And with it may all strife, quarreling,

Division in our Fatherland be destroyed.

We earnestly pray to Thee:

Grant peace to our power,

To Your Church and to all the people of our land.

Thou art the King of Thy peace,

And of Thy peace, there is no limit,

And to Thee glory and thanksgiving

And worship be given from all,

Now and ever, and forever and ever. Amen!


PART II

1. ”SAINT FRANCIS PRAYER" by Eli Tamar

One of the world's beloved prayers, St. Francis Prayer is based on a 20th-century text and is in essence a personal spiritual credo. In Tamar’s music, the prayer is imbued with a deeply mysterious, intense, and at times exalted quality. 

Seigneur, faites de moi un instrument de votre paix.

Là où il y a de la haine, que je mette l'amour.

Là où il y a l'offense, que je mette le pardon.

Là où il y a la discorde, que je mette l'union.

Là où il y a l'erreur, que je mette la vérité.

Là où il y a le doute, que je mette la foi.

Là où il y a le désespoir, que je mette l'espérance.

Là où il y a les ténèbres, que je mette votre lumière.

Là où il y a la tristesse, que je mette la joie.

Ô Maître, que je ne cherche pas tant à être consolé qu'à consoler, à être compris qu’à 

comprendre, à être aimé qu'à aimer, car c'est en donnant qu'on reçoit, c'est en s'oubliant 

qu'on trouve, c'est en pardonnant qu'on est pardonné, c'est en mourant qu'on ressuscite à l'éternelle vie.

Lord make Me an instrument of Your peace

Where there is hatred, let me sow love.

Where there is injury, pardon.

Where there is doubt, faith.

Where there is despair, hope.

Where there is darkness, light.

Where there is sadness joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may

Not so much seek to be consoled as to console

To be understood, as to understand.

To be loved. As to love

For it's in giving that we receive

And it's in pardoning that we are pardoned

And it's in dying that we are born...

To eternal life.

2. "AKATHIST TO THE HOLY VIRGIN" (Акафист Пресвятой Богородице) by Eli Tamar

(in honor of her Icon from Kazan) 

Предстояще пред пречистым Твоим образом, архиереев сословие и вси людие, монаси и мирстии, проповедуют, Госпоже Богородительнице, великия Твоя милости, яко грады ограждаеши, обители покрываеши, веси защищаеши, и, ведуще Тя воистинну Помощницу сильну и непобедиму, со слезами приносят Ти молитвы, да простреши к Сыну Твоему Богоносныя руки за люди Твоя, во еже избавити нас от всех бед и напастей, да благодарне вопием Богу: Аллилуия.

Facing Thy most pure image, the bishops class and all people, monks and laypeople preach

to the Lady of the Mother of God:

Thy great mercies, as you fence off the cities, cover the houses, protect the villages, and, leading You, truly the strong and unbeatable Helper, with tears bringing their prayers to You, who stretch out the God-bearing hands to Your Son for Your people, for delivering us from all troubles and misfortunes;

we thankfully cry out to God: Alleluia.

3. "CANTATA FOR 9/11" by Serge Khrichenko - WORLD PREMIERE

Lyrics by Carlo Mahfouz


  • PART 1 - CRY TO ME


Fly to me, you, sacred flame eternal. 

Cry to me, burn for me, you, everlasting torment.

Fly to me, cry to me.

Silence me and tend to me, you, a warmth that flew. 

Fly to me!

  • PART 2 - ANAMU ASTAYKIZU (I SLEEP I WAKE UP I LONG)

Anamu astaykizu a7enu 

Rasiman soukounan jamilan,

Sakinan fi zolmatin ghadaratan.

2estaykizi wa 2ehmilini fi yakzati li 3alamiki.

Fi ahlami ourakoubou al noujoum

Fi hadiri ourakoubou al sama2

2erhamini ya ayam 

2erhamini wa doumini.

La yawman ghadar wal nesyanou ra7amani.

La yawman ghadar wal nesyanou

2erhamini, 2erhamini ya ayam.

I sleep, I wake up, I long

Drawing a beautiful peace,

Living in treacherous darkness.

Wake up and carry me in your wake to your world.

In my dreams, I watch the stars,

In my present, I watch the sky

Days, have mercy on me,

Have mercy and embrace me.

Not a day has passed, and I could forget,

Not a day has passed.

Days have mercy on me, have mercy on me.

  • PART 3 - SALUTATION A VOUS (I SALUTE YOU)

Salutation a vous, les larme éternelle!

Dit que tu veux, vous éte sacre,

Vous éte sacre, salutations a vous,

Les larme, larme sacre

Tous le templs prier

D’un moment a l’autre,

Re viendra a moi,

Quand t’es que tu peux?

Tu reste dans ma coer,

Re viendra a moi, tu reste dans ma coer.

Anamu astaykizu a7enu 

Rasiman soukounan jamilan,

Sakinan fi zolmatin ghadaratan.

2estaykizi wa 2ehmilini fi yakzati li 3alamiki.

I salute you, thy tears eternal!

Tell me what you want; you are sacred,

You are sacred, I salute you,

Thy tears, sacred tears

All the time, I pray

From one moment to another.

Come back to me when you can

And you rest in my heart,

Come back to me; you rest in my heart.

I sleep, I wake up, I long

Drawing a beautiful peace,

Living in treacherous darkness.

Wake up and carry me in your wake to your world.

  • PART 4 - STAY WITH ME

Wake me up, young sage,

Wake me up, take me home

And cleanse my soul, cleanse my soul,

I rest with you.


The rain has stopped,

The sun has dawned,

And your breath lingers in my soul.

Stay with me, do not leave me,

Stay with me, do not leave me.

  • PART 5 - RANIMOU Y’A AJWAKA (SING OH CHOIRS OF HEAVEN)

Ranimou y’a ajwaka el sama2, el sama2.

Ghabat nasa 2imakon fi allay li, al lay li.

La takhafou mina al nesyan

Fa 2arwa 7oukom khalidaton.

Ranimou y’a ajwaka el sama2, el sama2, ah..

Ghabat nasa 2imakon 2an al hayat, alhayat

Fa 2arwa7oukom khalidaton.

Sing, oh choirs of heaven,

Your breeze have dwindled in the night,

Do not be afraid of forgetfulness

As your souls are immortal.

Sing, oh choirs of heaven,

Your breeze have dwindled from life

As your souls are immortal.


COMPOSER JAMES MACMILLAN first became internationally recognized after the extraordinary success of The Confession of Isobel Gowdie at the BBC Proms in 1990. His prolific output has since been performed and broadcast around the world. His major works include percussion concerto Veni, Veni, Emmanuel, which has received close to 500 performances, a cello concerto for Mstislav Rostropovich, and five symphonies. Recent major works include his Percussion Concerto No.2 for Colin Currie, co-commissioned by the Philharmonia Orchestra, Edinburgh International Festival, Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, São Paulo Symphony Orchestra, and Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music and, and his Symphony No.5, written for The Sixteen, which was premiered at the Edinburgh International Festival.