RANDALL THOMPSON’S ‘ALLELUIA’
17 May 2022
HAMMERSCHMIDT’S ‘FREUET EUCH, IHR CHRISTEN’
19 May 2022
MENDELSSOHN'S 'RICHTE MICH, GOTT'
Felix Mendelssohn (1809 – 1874)
Felix Mendelssohn is one of the more well-known figures in classical music from the 19th Century. Born in Germany and considered a child prodigy, he was active a composer, pianist, organist and conductor. His compositions include sweeping symphonies, rhapsodic concertos and some very famous piano music alongside music for the organ, music for choirs, and some excellent chamber music, including a string octet from when he was 16.
He travelled widely during his life, and you've probably heard his famous "Wedding March". He is also considered one of the main figures responsible for instigating a renewed interest in the music of the German baroque composer J.S. Bach, whose music we are also performing in these concerts. You will also hear an example of his music for solo organ at these performances played on a highly grand instrument by our guest artist Michael Fulcher.
In our 'Sing Joyfully' concerts, this piece concludes a bracket of German-language repertoire. We haven't performed much Mendelssohn before and especially wanted to include a piece by him because of his connection to Bach (they both died in the city of Leipzig, where they are widely celebrated).
The opening of the motet 'Richte mich, Gott' by Felix Mendelssohn. Source: Choral Public Domain Library.
What am I listening for?
This piece starts with a strident theme presented by the tenors and basses is unison. The sopranos and altos respond in 3 and 4-part harmony, and this antiphonal texture continues for most of the piece until all of the parts come together at a critical point in the German text. Also be sure to listen out for the last section of the piece, where the piece changes key from D minor to D major with great optimism.
This is luscious, Romantic music with rich and expressive harmonies. Textural clarity is paramount, and it is a piece for divided SATB choir featuring two soprano parts, two alto parts, two tenor parts, and divided basses too. The German text and a translation in English is reproduced below, and you can also listen to a recording of the piece as sung by the Choir of St. John's College Cambridge by clicking the player below.
Richte mich, Gott, und führe meine Sache
wider das unheilige Volk
und errette mich von den falschen und bösen Leuten.
Denn du bist der Gott meiner Stärke;
Warum verstößest du mich?
Warum lässest du mich so traurig geh’n,
wenn mein Feind mich drängt?
Sende dein Licht und deine Wahrheit,
daß sie mich leiten zu deinem heiligen Berge,
und zu deiner Wohnung.
Daß ich hineingehe zum Altar Gottes,
zu dem Gott, der meine Freude und Wonne ist,
und dir, Gott, auf der Harfe danke, mein Gott.
Was betrübst du dich, meine Seele,
und bist so unruhig in mir?
Harre auf Gott! Denn ich werde ihm noch danken,
daß er meines Angesichts Hülfe,
und mein Gott ist.
Judge me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation: O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man. For thou art the God of my strength: why dost thou cast me off? Why must I go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?
Send out thy light and thy truth:
let them bring me unto thy holy hill,
and to thy tabernacles.
Then will I go unto the altar of God,
unto God exceeding joy:
upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God.
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope in God: for I shall yet praise him who is the health of my countenance, and my God.
Sing Joyfully Concert Details
Saturday 19th August at Sacred Heart Cathedral Bendigo | Sunday 20th August at St. Patrick's Cathedral Melbourne
Also live-streamed on the Australian Digital Concert Hall platform. World-wide digital access, including 72-hour delayed viewing.
To learn more about the exciting concerts and events planned for 2023,
please see
www.australianboyschoir.com.au/concerts
Members of the Australian Boys Choir and The Vocal Consort onstage at Melbourne Recital Centre with Artistic Director Nicholas Dinopoulos, December 2022. Photo by Jane Kupsch.
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