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5/5/2020

PAUL PADDOCK - "The Oxen"

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paul paddock - chorale bass

"the oxen"

by John Rathbone

sung by Voces8

It's a little late for the season but I'm sharing this because of its calming and reminds me to have peace of mind in troubling/uncertain times. It evokes an intriguing and especially deep sense of sound poetry sculpted with Thomas Hardy's poetry in anticipation of good things to come.

'Christmas Eve, and twelve of the clock.
“Now they are all on their knees,”
An elder said as we sat in a flock
By the embers in hearthside ease.

We pictured the meek mild creatures where
They dwelt in their strawy pen,
Nor did it occur to one of us there
To doubt they were kneeling then.

So fair a fancy few would weave
In these years! Yet, I feel,
If someone said on Christmas Eve,
“Come; see the oxen kneel,

“In the lonely barton by yonder coomb
Our childhood used to know,”
I should go with him in the gloom,
Hoping it might be so.'

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5/5/2020

KATE BIEDERWOLF - "Let It Fall"

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kate biederwolf - chorale alto

"let it fall"

over the rhine

Over The Rhine (OTR) is a singer/songwriter husband and wife duo, Karin Bergquist & Linford Detweiler, based in Cincinnati, Ohio. Their band name comes from the neighborhood in Cincinnati where they got their start in the early 1990s. OTR has made a living writing, recording, and touring. I try to catch them live each time their travels bring them to the Twin Cities. If you like what you hear, let me know and we can attend a performance together! I also encourage you to learn and experience more of their work at OverTheRhine.com.

Please forgive me for choosing a song about snow - this particular selection comes from one of their Christmas albums. I think if you take the time to listen, you'll understand why I chose this selection at this time - the lyrics resonate now at a challenging time for all of us. It also meets the five minute length requirement :) Enjoy!

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5/5/2020

PAUL PADDOCK - "Scandinavian Shuffle" by the Swe-Danes

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paul paddock - chorale bass

"Scandinavian shuffle"

The real group

Love this group! Further proof you can enjoy any style no matter where you're from. I elected to share because I love jazz & it appeals, being part Scandi-who-vian myself! Plus if you forget the words....

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4/21/2020

CLAIRE KLEIN - "Light of a Clear Blue Morning" by Dolly Parton

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Claire klein - chorale alto

"Light of a clear blue morning"

by dolly parton

Dolly Parton is life giving. Her song writing and voice are inspirational to me and I hope I can do her justice as I share her song with you. May you also see a light in our future and feel that "everything is gonna be all right, it's gonna be OK."

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4/21/2020

PHIL REILLY - "For the Future" by Andrew Maxfield

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phil reilly - choral tenor

"for the future"

by andrew maxfield

The aspect that I love best about this piece is the simple message of the text and the way in which the composer enhances it with his setting. By turns pastoral and profound, this quasi-work song reminds us that our labors of the present are our only assurances of the future we desire.


Planting trees early in spring,
we make a place for birds to sing
in time to come. How do we know?
They are singing here now.
There is no other guarantee
that singing will ever be.

- Wendell Berry

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4/14/2020

LISA DROST - "The Bluebird" by C.V. Stanford

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lisa drost - chorale alto

"The bluebird"
Charles V. Stanford
Sung by Anuna

I've always loved choral music and I've loved this piece since the first time I sang it. To this day, it gives me great peace, hope and strength. Regardless of my present circumstance, my mind can float free. . .weightless. . .limitless . . .

The lake lay blue below the hill
O'er it, as I looked, there flew
Across the waters, cold and still
A bird whose wings were palest blue

The sky above was blue at last
The sky beneath me blue in blue
A moment, ere the bird had passed
It caught his image as he flew

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4/13/2020

KEVIN NAVIS - "God Bless America" by Irving Berlin

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kevin navis - chorale tenor

"God bless america"
by Irving berlin

sung by kate smith

When we sang our national anthem and the South Africa national anthem at Orchestra Hall and on tour I had tears every time. I would give the world for the Chorale to perform this piece. I probably wouldn’t be able to sing!! Here's the story about this song, from a friend:
   "The time was 1940. America was still in a terrible economic depression. Hitler was taking over Europe and Americans were afraid we'd have to go to war.  It was a time of hardship and worry for most Americans.  
   "This was the era before television when radio shows were HUGE and American families sat around their radios in the evenings, listening to their favorite entertainers and no entertainer of that era was bigger than Kate Smith.
     "Kate was also patriotic. It hurt her to see Americans so depressed and afraid of what the next day would bring (sound familiar?). She had hope for America, and faith in her fellow Americans. She wanted to do something to cheer them up, so she went to the famous American song-writer Irving Berlin (who also wrote "White Christmas") and asked him to write a song that would make Americans feel good again about their country. When she described what she was looking for, he said he had just the song for her. He went to his files and dusted off a song that he had written but never published, 22 years before - in 1917.  He gave it to her and she worked on it with her studio orchestra. She and Irving Berlin were not sure how the song would be received by the public, but both agreed they would not take any profits from it. Any profits would go to the Boy Scouts of America. Over the years, the Boy Scouts has received millions of dollars in royalties from this song.
     "This video starts out with Kate Smith coming into the radio studio with the orchestra and an audience.  She introduces the new song for the very first time and starts singing. After the first couple verses, with her voice in the background, scenes are shown from the 1940 movie, “You're In The  Army Now.” 
    "To this day, God Bless America stirs our patriotic feelings and pride in our country. Back in 1940, when Kate Smith went looking for a song to raise the spirits of her fellow Americans, I doubt whether she realized just how successful the results would be during those years of hardship and worry... and for many generations of Americans to follow."

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4/13/2020

PETER DIMOCK - "Across the Vast Eternal Sky" by Ola Gjeilo

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peter dimock - vox singer

"Across the vast, eternal sky"
Ola Gjeilo


sung by the CHoir of Royal Holloway

I love the tranquillity this piece promotes in me.

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4/12/2020

JUDY ARNSTEIN - "Bansull" by Frank Havroy

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JUDY ARNSTEIN - CHORALE ALTO

"Bansull" by frank Havroy

sung by ensemble 96
kjetil almenning, conductor

I discovered this lovely Norwegian lullaby on MPR last year, and I've probably listened to it hundreds of times since. I have always found it to be comforting and soothing, and I can never seem to listen to it just once!

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4/12/2020

PAUL PADDOCK - "Shenandoah" sung by Chanticleer

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Paul paddock - CHORALE Bass

"shenandoah"

sung by chanticleer


arr. by michael bartholomew & james erb

This is one of my favorite pieces because of the lush warm harmonies and it reminds me of where I grew up. I sang bass to this in District VIII choir at Menchville High School in Virginia freshman year front row and center--talk about being wrapped in an intense chasmic blanket of a 200+voice sound! To me it fits the description of how you'd feel about the Shenandoah Valley and surrounding mountains' nature/colors, and indeed you'd hear those echoes. Once you visit even once, it'll always be a part of you.

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4/9/2020

JIM HILD - "Auch mit gedämpften, schwachen Stimmen" by J.S. Bach

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JIM HILD - chorale bass

"Auch mit gedämpften, schwachen Stimmen"

by j.s. bach

This aria comes from Bach's cantata #36. I love the way Bach sets this text and his use of the violin. I have always found this text and this music uplifting. The lilting 3/4 rhythm is especially fitting. Here is an English translation.

Even with subdued, weak voices
God's majesty is honoured.
for if only the spirit resounds,
there is such a cry to him
that he himself hears it in heaven

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4/9/2020

CINDY BERGSTROM - "True Colors" by Cyndi Lauper, sung by Camden Voices

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CINDY BERGSTROM - PRELUDE CONDUCTOR

"True Colors"

by Cyndi Lauper, sung by Camden Voices

This popped up on Facebook when I was first adjusting to the pandemic. I found the simple message and harmonies very soothing. I immediately thought of the kids I work with and how some of them may be struggling with who they are. Let those true colors shine!

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4/9/2020

GLORIA FREDKOVE - "Ave Maria" - Sung by Barbra Streisand

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GLORIA FREDKOVE - CHORALE ALTO

AVE MARIA

Sung by Barbra Streisand

The Ave Maria is a wonderful prayer, and in these difficult times, it is hopeful and filled with faith.

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4/9/2020

HEATHER HOOD - "O Salutaris Hostia" by Esenvalds

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HEATHER HOOD - CHORALE SOPRANO

O Salutaris Hostia

Erik Esenvalds

I was introduced to this piece by my friend, Tim Sawyer, who sings in the South Dakota Chorale. I love the ethereal beauty of the piece, the calming influence of interwoven harmonies, and the call to the Divine to give us strength in difficult times.

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4/9/2020

LOLA WATSON - Finale of "Mefistofele" by Boito

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LOLA WATSON - CHORALE SOPRANO

Finale of "MeFistofele"

ARRIGO BOITO

One of the most moving scenes I performed with the San Francisco Opera Chorus! The triumph of good over evil- the redemption of a soul wanting to be saved!

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4/9/2020

SCOTT CHAMBERLAIN and DANIEL BRIDSTON - "Cantique de Jean Racine" by Fauré

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SCOTT CHAMBERLAIN & DANIEL bridston

CHORALE singers

"Cantique de jean Racine"

Gabriel Fauré

Scott: "Kathy programmed this piece while while we were still at Macalester. The work brings to mind his famous Requiem, but in a five-minute sound bite. This work seared my heart the first time I heard it, and its spirit of Divine Love moves me every time I hear it."

Daniel:
"This work never fails to fill me with peace, and I am always astounded by its sheer beauty."

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3/31/2020

JERRY RUBINO - "Te Deum" - Haydn & "Dieu! Qu'il la fait bon regarder" (Trois Chansons de Charles d'Orléans - C. Debussy)

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JERRY RUBINO - VOX ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

"Te Deum" - Haydn & "Dieu! Qu'il la fait bon regarder" (Trois Chansons de Charles d'Orléans - C. Debussy)

​I think back to my amazing experience as a high school (kind of singer - was more of a cello player and drummer) and pianist/accompanist for my high school choir. The director pushed us to amazing things for h. s. things and I'm proud to remember that these 2 pieces were learned and performed in my junior year in high school! (Philadelphia suburbs!)  had to learn the piano reduction of the Haydn - and I'm sure that it took weeks - to this day - I still have the opening memorized - smile!

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3/31/2020

BARB BROOKS -"Only in Sleep" by Eriks Ešenvalds

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BARB BROOKS - CHORALE ARTISTIC ADVISOR & PIANIST

"Only in Sleep" by Eriks Ešenvalds

I love Esenvalds in general but I really love this piece (we sang it at First Unitarian Society), as I feel it is so poignant in how it deals with loss and memory, and how it describes time being forgotten in sleep and dreams. It really speaks to me during this crisis as I have been reliving my life and all the beautiful memories of people, places, and life experiences I encountered and am so grateful for.
 
 
Only in sleep I see their faces,
Children I played with when I was a child,
Louise comes back with her brown hair braided,
Annie with ringlets warm and wild.

Only in sleep Time is forgotten--
What may have come to them, who can know?
Yet we played last night as long ago,
And the doll-house stood at the turn of the stair.

The years had not sharpened their smooth round faces,
I met their eyes and found them mild--
Do they, too, dream of me, I wonder,
And for them am I too a child?
 
--Sara Teasdal

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3/30/2020

PAT ARASIM - "The Road Home" by S. Paulus

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Pat Arasim, MYC Founding Conductor

"The Road Home" by S. Paulus

​As we all are staying home and hearing the death numbers rise, I thought this piece by Stephen Paulus helps underscore the enormity of the word HOME.  It was also sung by the Basilica Cathedral choir at my father’s funeral.  It is very special to me.  

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3/30/2020

BARB LUNDERVOLD - "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion" from Messiah - Handel

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Barbara Lundervold, Soprano & Special Projects Coordinator

"Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion" from Messiah - Handel

The highlight of my "extensive" solo career was when I was asked to return to Mankato in 1968 to be the soprano soloist in Handel's Messiah... with the Mankato Symphony Orchestra and Oratorio Chorus.  I don't know if the concert was recorded, but if it was, I don't have it.    So, I have selected a beautiful rendition by Kathleen Battle.  I'm sure that I sounded just like her!  :-)  The frosting on the cake was that I was given $67 for my performance!  (To put that in perspective though, my teaching salary at Edina High School was $5600.) Since then, I've done so many Messiah performances as a chorister and have never tired of the experience.  Enjoy!

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3/30/2020

WALTER TAMBOR - "Sunday" from Sunday in the Park with George

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Walter Tambor, MYC Assistant Conductor

"Sunday" from Sunday in the Park with George

​I came to formal choral music rather late in life (post college!) spending the majority of my HS career as pianist, accompanist, and musical theater kid. I saw the original production of Sondheim's Sunday in the Park as a HS Junior. The themes of order, design, tension, balance, and HARMONY resonated with me then, and still guide almost all my choices to this day.

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3/30/2020

ALYSSA BREECE - "Everything Possible" by The Flirtations

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Alyssa Breece, Soprano & Chorale Operations Director

"Everything Possible" by The Flirtations

We have been listening to this a lot in our home.  This song brings me to tears every time I hear it.  As a parent in this sometimes-scary world I want to make sure that they know that no matter what they hear on TV, or as adults are discussing scary topics, that they are safe, loved and that everything is possible for them. For all of us, really.

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3/30/2020

BOB PESKIN - Sanctus from Maurice Duruflé’s setting of the “Requiem.”

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BOB PESKIN, BASS & Chorale Executive Director

Sanctus from Maurice Duruflé’s setting of the “Requiem.”

This is the Sanctus from Maurice Duruflé’s setting of the “Requiem.” I chose it because it was the first choral piece I ever sang, with my high school choir. M. Duruflé conducted our performance, and his wife, Marie, was the organist. With a first-ever concert like that, it’s no wonder I wound up making a career in choral music! (And when Robert Shaw conducted the Chorale in a performance of this same piece in the 1990s, he mentioned that he was using tempi from a concert recording of “a wonderful American high school choir conducted by the composer back in 1971.” Yup, that would be the same concert I sang in.​
​

Featuring the Yale Glee Club directed by Minnesotan Jeffrey Douma, whose brother Greg is married to David Nordli’s daughter, Kari.

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3/29/2020

KATHY ROMEY - "Dona Nobis Pacem" from B minor Mass - J.S. Bach

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KATHY SALTZMAN ROMEY - CHORALE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

J. S. Bach - B minor Mass, Dona Nobis Pacem English Baroque Soloists & Monteverdi Choir Conducted by John Eliot Gardiner

​Bach's B Minor Mass has always held a special place in my heart.  It is the work that brought my father together with Helmuth Rilling and which ultimately led to the founding of the Oregon Bach Festival fifty years ago.  It is music which I studied and sang under the baton of my mentor and teacher, Helmuth Rilling.  It is a staple of the Oregon Bach Festival and the opening concert of the 2020 Festival.  Most recently, it is music that I prepared just three weeks ago with the 2020 JSB Ensemble (Young Stuttgart Bach Ensemble) of the International Bach Academy of Stuttgart.  
 
We were 80+ musicians from 30 countries, who came together on March 6th in a beautiful German monastery to study and prepare Bach's B Minor Mass and Köthener Trauermusik under the baton of Hans-Christoph Rademann.  It was a week of intense rehearsals, joyous music making, shared meals, new friendships, and global exchange. The final performance was to have been in Stuttgart on March 21st – Bach's 335th birthday. With the impending threat of the coronavirus, we had to suspend all workshop, masterclass, and concert activity in Stuttgart so that everyone could safely return home to their respective countries.  On the evening of Thursday, March 12th, we came together one last time to perform the B Minor Mass for ourselves.  There were no trumpets or timpani, so the oboe professor played the first trumpet part from his pocket score. There were no vocal soloists so members of the chorus and vocal masterclasses stepped out to sing the arias.  Teachers and students sang and played side-by-side with incredible focus and passion. It was not a perfect performance but one of great emotion and celebration, reflecting our collective love of music and the time we had shared together.  I will never forget that evening nor the final Dona nobis pacem (Grant us peace), which slowly unfolded and grew in intensity and fervor – an international prayer for global health and cooperation, and a musical exaltation of faith, love, hope, charity, and peace. 

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Minnesota Chorale
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​Minneapolis, MN  55403
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