Salamone Rossi: Psalm 124
USC Thornton Chamber Singers; Nathan Fratzke, Conductor
… by a composer new to me. Have any of you heard of Muriel Herbert?
The Lost Nightingale
Dame Sarah Connolly and Joseph Middleton
The Lost Nightingale
Alcuin of York , translated by Helen Jane Waddell
Whoever stole you from that bush of broom,
I think he envied me my happiness,
O little nightingale, for many a time
You lightened my sad heart from its distress,
And flooded my whole soul with melody,
And I would have the other birds all come,
And sing along with me thy threnody.
So brown and dim that little body was,
But none could scorn thy singing. In that throat,
That tiny throat, what depth of harmony,
And all night long, ringing that changing note,
What marvel if the cherubim in heaven
Continually do praise Him, when to thee,
O small and happy, such a grace was given?
from Medieval Latin Lyrics (1929)
(I heard from three people who say they listen. You know what they say about “three or more”? Well, I guess I’ll apply that to posting the Sunday music, too.)
Purcell: Hear My Prayer, O Lord
Ensemble ZENE; Bruno Kele-Baujard, Director
