Keepsakes: Songs for Life

Call Me Maybe Goes Choral

2013-02-07T21:21:00.000+08:00

I had a popular song in mind. But I couldn't find a choral version of it. So I typed the words "choir" on YouTube and see what comes out first. As the title of my blog suggests, this attention grabber made me wonder if such a song as "Call Me Maybe" could ever be arranged for choir. Well, this version wasn't only arranged for choir but also for an orchestra.

Admittedly, the first part of the piece seemed dragging to me. It was too slow and we know how the tempo of Call Me Maybe is sung. But I stuck with it a little more until I reached the build up. Indeed, the strings supplied this building tempo and from then on, the music became spectacular. What's also nice about this video are the singers and artists themselves. If indeed given a chance to do a rendition of a very popular song, wouldn't the excitement simply get you carried away? But as I listened to it, the excitement was a good one. At least I think it didn't sacrifice the quality of the rendition.

Then again you may have your own opinion about it. It isn't easy to appreciate choral and/or orchestral music. But it is nice to give it a chance.

Sharing the Christmas Spirit: Hail Mary the Queen Children's Choir

2012-12-15T22:16:00.001+08:00

Christmas celebration in the Philippines includes various performances and contests for choirs. Some commercial establishments have begun a tradition of featuring choirs perform for their customers. One of these is Shangrila Plaza Mall.

I was about to go home that Friday when I passed through Shangrila Mall. I saw their huge tarpaulin and it advertises their annual Christmas tradition, which is a month-long schedule of musical performances. It so happened that that night, the Hail Mary the QueenChildren's Choir was performing. I figured I'd sit back and relax after a long and toxic week. Besides, children's choirs are one of the choirs worth listening to. Properly trained and harnessed, children's choirs give out a unique beauty and grace to songs that they sing.

During the hour-long performance, I happen to take a video of their performance--using only a Blackberry Curve 9220. The quality isn't superb but for a keepsake, it's worth my while. Here's a compilation of six songs that I liked during the choir's performance last December 7, 2012. The sound is okay if listened to with earplugs. Speakers is fine too, but not if you use the computer or laptop's speakers. Having said that, please pardon the lack of resources for making the sounds better. :-)

For reference, here are the songs I liked (based only on what was captured by my Blackberry): Adeste Fideles, PayapangDaigdig, Heto Na Naman, Jingle (Jangle) Bells, Tuloy na Tuloy pa rin ang Pasko, Kumukuti-kutitap. Here are the lyrics to the Filipino Christmas Songs. You could click on the titles above and they will lead you to a link of those lyrics.

Payapang Daigdig Heto Na Naman

Ang gabi'y payapa Heto na naman 'yong masayang panahon

Lahat ay tahimik Ubas at mansanas na kahon-kahon

Pati mga tala Said na ang bulsa pagod pa ang paa

Sa bughaw na langit Kahahanap ng regalong mura't maganda

Kay hinhin ng hangin Heto na naman 'yong ganitong panahon

Waring umiibig Kundi kalendaryo ay maalat na hamon

Sa kapayapaan Wala na bang iba, fruit cake na luma

Ng buong daigdig Exchange gift na diary, chocolate at sabon

Payapang panahon Wala na ba kundi panandaliang saya

Ay diwa ng buhay Wala na ba kundi ako, ikaw at siya

Biyaya ng Diyos Nalilimutan natin kung bakit may Pasko

Sa sangkatauhan Isang nagmamahal na Diyos ang sinilang sa mundo

Ang gabi'y payapa Heto na naman, mga awit ng panahon

Lahat ay tahimik Si Santa Claus at Rudolph, nagtipon-tipon

Pati mga tala Wonderland ni Johnny, puting Pasko ni Crosby

Sa bughaw na langit Ano nga 'yung hit ni Michael Jackson (Why don't you…)

CODA:

Pati mga tala Maligayang Pasko

Sa bughaw na langit

Kumukutikutitap Tuloy Na Tuloy Pa Rin Ang Pasko

Kumukutikutitap, bumubusibusilak O bakit kaya tuwing Pasko ay dumarating na

Ganyan ang indak ng mga bumbilya Ang bawa't isa'y para bang namomroblema

Kikindat - kindat, kukurap -kurap Hindi mo alam ang regalong ibibigay

Pinaglalaruan ng inyong mga mata Ngayong kay hirap na nitong ating buhay

Kumukutikutitap, bumubusibusilak Meron pa kayang caroling at noche buena

Ganyan ang indak ng mga bumbilya Kung tayo naman ay kapos at wala nang pera

Kikindat - kindat, kukurap -kurap Nakakahiya kung muling pagtaguan mo

Pinaglalaruan ng inyong mga mata Ang 'yong mga inaanak sa araw ng Pasko.

Iba't - ibang palamuti Ngunit kahit na anong mangyari

Ating isabit sa puno Ang pag-ibig sana'y maghari

Buhusan ng mga kulay Sapat nang si Hesus ang kasama mo

Tambakan ng mga regalo Tuloy na tuloy parin ang pasko

Tumitibok-tibok, sumisinok - sinok Mabuti pa nga ang Pasko noong isang taon

Wag lang malundo sa sabitin Sa ating hapag mayroong keso de bola't hamon

Pupulupot-lupot paikot ng paikot Baka sa gipit, Happy New Year mapo-postpone

Koronahan ng palarang bituin At ang hamon ay mauuwi sa bagoong

Dagdagan mo pa ng kendi Tuloy na tuloy pa rin ang Pasko

Ribon, eskosesa't guhitan

Habang lalong dumadami

Regalo mo'y dagdagan

Kumukutikutitap, bumubusibusilak

Ganyan ang kurap ng mga bituin

Tumitibok-tibok, sumisinok - sinok

Koronahan ng palarang bituin

Dagdagan mo pa ng kendi

Ribon, eskosesa't guhitan

Habang lalong dumadami

Regalo mo'y dagdagan

Kumukutikutitap, bumubusibusilak

Ganyan ang kurap ng mga bituin

Tumitibok-tibok, sumisinok - sinok

Koronahan pa ng palarang bituin

Here is the video of the choir's performance.

Superb Performance from Novo Concertante Manila

2012-10-28T20:29:00.000+08:00

I had a dream the other night. I dreamt that I was asked to sing. It seemed odd to me because I haven't really sung all by myself--I've always sung with a choir. Since it was a dream, anything is possible! The one thing I remember in that dream was that I actually sang a song that I used to sing with the choir.

The next day, I started looking for that song. In the process, it led me to a video--actually two videos on Youtube. I was surprised but at the same time ecstatic because it was a live performance of a choir that recently participated in the Asia Cantate International Choral Festival 2012.

Words could hardly express the joy I felt when I heard these voices sing. I was utterly speechless; I've had goose bumps and a pleasurable tingling sensation that seemed to have lifted away all my worries and pains. It is no wonder that this choir won the top prize in this competition. It gives me great honor to share these two videos with you.

Congratulations again to Novo Concertante Manila.

Heavenly Voices with a Modern Touch

2012-10-21T14:11:00.000+08:00

I was told that I need an outlet for my strong emotions. I need to find a way to let it out without hurting others or myself. I used to have that outlet--same as the heavenly voices I heard from a video on Youtube that my sister was playing. Turns out that the young singing voices came from a group called Scala and Kolacny Brothers.

Scala & Kolacny Brothers is a Belgian women's choir, conducted by Stijn Kolacny and arranged and accompanied by Steven Kolacny on the piano. Formed in 1996 and winning the Belgian 'Choir of the Year'-contest in 2000, they have made five studio albums, starting with On The Rocks in 2002, in multiple languages. via Wikipedia

"With or Without You" is one of my favorite U2 songs. Scala's rendition was so good that it gave me goose bumps. The young girls sang so soothingly that it's truly a choir that's worth listening to for relaxation and entertainment. Here's a video of the choir. The girls' innocent looks and laughing reminded me of the time when I was part of the choir. Once you sing in a group and have gone to tours with them, the joy of singing extends to the joy of friendship. Don’t get me wrong though--singing in a choir requires discipline too. But the reward is simply priceless!

Java Jive -- Keepsake and Coffee

2012-10-14T17:51:00.000+08:00

Coffee and/or tea has two functions for me--keeps me awake and relax. Ironically, enjoying a cup of coffee or tea is one of the things that I do in order to relax. Whenever I do my so-called nothing day--no worries, no work, no obligations whatsoever--I make it a point to have a cup of coffee or tea just to cap it off. On the other hand, coffee could also cause tension and unrest especially on busy and hectic days. But to me, coffee doesn't necessarily keep me awake. I will admit that I was told to drink coffee so that I could stay awake. But in recent years, no matter how much I drink coffee or tea, sleep would still creep in every chance it gets.

While thinking about this subject, I'm reminded of one of my favorite songs that I used to sing with the choir--Java Jive. To all coffee and tea drinkers out there, this is one song that perfectly complements that cup or mug of coffee/tea. I like the rendition in this video because it's faithful to the arrangement done by Kirby Shaw. I also like the soloists here compared to the other videos I've heard. Hope you enjoy this relaxing song.

JAVA JIVE

I love coffee, I love tea

I love the Java Jive and it loves me

Coffee and tea and the java and me

A cup, a cup, a cup, a cup, a cup (Boy!)

I love java, sweet and hot

Whoops Mr. Moto, I'm a coffee pot

Shoot me the pot and I'll pour me a shot

A cup, a cup, a cup, a cup, a cup

Oh slip me a slug from the wonderful mug

And I'll cut a rug just snug in a jug

A sliced up onion and a raw one

Draw one -

Waiter, waiter, percolator

I love coffee, I love tea

I love the Java Jive and it loves me

Coffee and tea and the java and me

A cup, a cup, a cup, a cup, a cup

Boston bean (soy beans)

I say those itty-bitty green bean (cabbage and greens)

You know I'm not that keen about a bean

Unless it is a cheery coffee bean (talk it boy!)

I love java sweet and hot

Whoops Mr. Moto I'm a coffee pot (yeah)

Shoot me the pot and I'll pour me a shot

A cup, a cup, a cup (yeah)

Slip me a slug of the wonderful mug

'An I'll cut a rug just as snug in a jug

Drop a nickel in the pot Joe

Takin' it slow

Waiter, waiter, percolator

I love coffee and tea

I love the Java Jive and it loves me

Coffee and tea and the java and me

A cup, a cup, a cup, a cup, boy!

Prayer for Healing

2012-08-26T09:09:00.000+08:00

When I do my prayers, prayer for healing forms part of my daily set. These days we all need some form of healing. In the recent events that happened to our country--the monsoon, the typhoons, the death of an efficient and effective government official, the rise in prices of basic commodities among others--some may feel that it's the end of the world, the end of their lives. So what else is there to live for? Well, this may be an age-old adage, but the only way is to turn our attention to the one and only author of life: Jesus Christ.

Any form of healing that we may need--physical, mental, spiritual, psychological--let God in and welcome him as he does the one thing he's always been doing since he created us--to heal us of our heartaches, our pains, our sufferings. Whatever it is that we've been through, know that he himself has undergone them too. He became man for us, grew up just like an ordinary human being. To this day, he remains with us in several churches all over the world. Every hurt that we feel, he feels it too. Every suffering we go through, he suffers alongside us to. Despite being the author of life, he did not spare himself of the pain and suffering that we as human beings go through in this world. Shall we not go to this man and ask for his help and learn from him what it truly means to suffer for the sake of loving others?

One song expresses this more than any other. Let's all pray that God may heal our land.

HEAL OUR LAND

If my people will humble themselves
Humble themselves and pray
If they seek my face and humble themselves
And turn from their wicked ways

[REFRAIN 1]
I will hear from heaven and forgive their sins
I will hear from heaven and heal their land
[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsty.com/jamie-rivera-heal-our-land-lyrics.html ]
[CHORUS]
Lord, heal our land
Father, heal our land
Hear our cry and turn our nation back to You
Lord, heal our land
Hear us oh, Lord, and heal our land
Forgive our sin and heal our broken land

Lord, we vow our knee, we humble ourselves
Humble ourselves and pray
Lord, we seek your face and humble ourselves
And turn from my wicked ways

[REFRAIN 2]
Father in Your mercy, forgive our sins
Father in Your mercy, come heal our land

[Repeat CHORUS twice]

[CODA]
(Lord, heal our land
Father, heal our land)
Hear our cry and heal our broken land

A Beautiful Blessing

2012-07-08T17:20:00.002+08:00

While struggling to keep myself awake, I was reading chapter 6 from the Book of Numbers. Towards the end, I read a prayer that the Lord said to Moses to be used to bless the people. Upon reading it, I was reminded of a musical rendition of this song during my early years at a university choir. There is a more popular version of this song, but I couldn't help but reminisce the time that I sang John Rutter's version of "The Lord Bless You and Keep You." During the first time I sang this piece, I had difficulty with the soprano line. The female voices would sing the first half of the prayer first. The way that the soprano line soars was quite a challenge to me then. But if sung very well, it's that feeling of soaring successfully that makes the effort worth while.

The repeating lines and the extended "Amen" made me relax and calm and even made me stay awake during the reading of the bible. So much so that I think this is a song--a keepsake--that's worth sharing. Here is a rendition of the song by the Philippine Madrigal Singers. Hope that it will uplift your hearts and souls to God and be at peace knowing that He will always bless us with everything that we need to do our duties for the coming week.

Because He Loves Us

2012-06-23T15:23:00.001+08:00

There are so many things that's happening around the world that it's almost impossible to keep up. Some are simply caught up in the immediate things like work or business or pleasure while some are busy supposedly with things that matter to us all, like the environment, good governance, educational opportunities, caring for the family and household and so on. So many things call for our attention these days that we might be forgetting the one important person who made all these things possible for us.

This world seems to forget him and I think it's right that we should remember just how blessed we are with all the things that we need to make this world a better place. The video I'm presenting is a compilation of pictures of this one awesome man who made a huge impact in the lives of humanity. I remember someone telling me that love songs can actually be addressed or dedicated to God, whether as man loving him or God loving us. This song is not a song I sang with the choir, but it has been one of my favorite love songs--Because You Loved Me. I like this song because it speaks of someone selfless and doing everything for the sake of his beloved one. Well, I could only think of one person who is like that for all times--Jesus Christ.

I hope you'd understand the progression of the pictures. It may not be completely in sync with the song, but it is my hope that the message will get across. Let us indeed thank God for such an incredible gift to humanity!

To All The Great Fathers in the World...

2012-06-17T19:59:00.000+08:00

Happy Father's Day!

To my dad and all the daddies in the world, a blessed Father's day :)

(I miss you daddy!)

Daddy and the keeds at the zoo (Parks & Wildlife). Mommy took the picture. I'm the little girl daddy's carrying.

Our Father -- composed by A.H. Malotte

Ascension Sunday -- Canticorum Iubilo

2012-05-20T17:10:00.000+08:00

19 So then the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them, was taken up into heaven and took his seat at the right hand of God. (Mark 16:19)

Today is Ascension Sunday commemorating the time of the Lord's ascension into heaven after 40 days of appearing to his disciples and performing miracles and signs to them. They say that this is the end of his mission--on Earth. But his mission continued in the lives of the disciples and the saints. In our own small way, we can also be living witnesses of Christ's teaching by loving one another as Christ has loved us.

While at Mass, the choir sang a song that I knew was originally written in Latin. They sang it in English. Honestly, I'd rather hear it sung in its original Latin verse. There are some English translated songs that are not entirely faithful to its original text. But more than that, I think the Latin text is much better synched with its music and musical lines compared to when you sing the song in English. The song I am referring to is Canticorum Iubilo (i.e. Let Us Sing With Joy!). It is a song that honors Christ as our King. It is a fitting opening song for today's Holy Mass. Here is the song in its Latin verse and faithful English translation.

CANTICORUM

Canticorum jubilo
Regi magno psalite

Jamresultent musica
Unda tellus sidera

Canticorum jubilo
Regi magno psalite

Personantes organis
Iubilate, plaudite

Canticorum jubilo
Regi magno psalite

English Translation
Let us sing aloud! Play for our reigning King!
Let the music now strikes sharp as a spear coming from on high.
Let us sing aloud! Play for our reigning King!
Let each one play his own instrument and burst aloud in praises.
Let us sing aloud! Play for our reigning King!

Psalm 132 Ecce Quam Bonum -- United in Love

2012-05-13T20:07:00.000+08:00

This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

(John 15:12-13)

The passage above comes from today's Gospel in which the central theme of the readings is about God's Love. As Christians, we are reminded that this is the one that should characterize our actions--that we do everything out of love and our model for this love is none other than Jesus Christ.

We have many songs in Musica Sacra that pertain to God's love and one of them is Ecce Quam Bonum. This song speaks about Christian brotherhood as expressed in Psalm 132. It reminds us that this unity that we have as Christians centered on the love that Jesus has given to us through the Holy Eucharist. We united ourselves in this sacrifice of Christ in order to share in the life and be granted the grace from the Father in heaven in order to imitate his love that Christ has shown us. And this love is to "lay down one's life for one's friends"--it is not forced, but offered, not conditional, but pure giving in the spirit of generosity. Here is the Latin lyrics and it's English equivalent from Psalm 132. (source: Breviary) The rendition sang by Novo Concertante Manila is that composed by Hans Leo Hassler.

Ecce quam bonum, et quam jucúndum * habitáre fratres in unum.

2 Sicut unguéntum in cápite, * quod descéndit in barbam, barbam Aaron.

3 Quod descéndit in oram vestiménti ejus: * sicut ros Hermon, qui descéndit in montem Sion.

4 Quóniam illic mandávit Dóminus benedictiónem, * et vitam usque in sæculum.

Behold, how good and joyful a thing it is, * for brethren to dwell together in unity.

2 It is like the precious oil upon the head, * that ran down upon the beard, even upon the beard of Aaron.

3 That went down to the skirts of his clothing : * like as the dew of Hermon, which fell upon mount Sion.

4 For there the Lord hath commanded blessing, * and life for evermore.

It's truly difficult to love one's neighbor let alone to the point of laying down your life for another. But it is a challenge to all of us if we really want to love. Sometimes I hesitate to share how I feel if it means I'll end up hurting the other person. And because it is also something that hurts me, I tend to keep it. What's dangerous about it is that whatever it is that you're hiding, might eat you up or make you isolated from people who could show love to you. Hence, in cases like these, it is also good to resort to prayer. If there's anybody who'd always be willing to listen to our cares and sufferings, that would be Jesus Christ. Because he is the one who loved us first before he even tried to save us.

My Challenging Piece: Sleep

2012-05-10T17:20:00.000+08:00

I was about to write a blog until I realized why not just do it tomorrow. I'm home, sick and uneasy. I lost my voice today in the worst possible way. In a way, I saw it coming and I never thought it would come to pass.

Well, my sore throat began last Friday, May 4. Then...the weekend came. Money came too late. Obligations to the family set in. Change of plans disrupted some part of my weekend activities. Although it was a fun and new experience, I realized that it was the beginning of my present condition--lacking sleep.

Little did I realize that the sore throat would gravitate into a dry cough by Monday. And Tuesday was the clincher--I merely thought doing my service to the community would be enough. Oh no! I didn't stay up that late because I wanted to. I wanted to go home, badly! I wanted to sleep…(was it so wrong to ask???)

And now? Lost my voice...couldn't work...no replacement… so what now? If there will be any sleep at all it'll probably be something like this.

Sleep by Eric Whitacre (click this link for the story behind this song)

The evening hangs beneath the moon

A silver thread on darkened dune

With closing eyes and resting head

I know that sleep is coming soon

Upon my pillow, safe in bed

A thousand pictures fill my head

I cannot sleep my minds a flight

And yet my limbs seem made of lead

If there are noises in the night

A frighting shadow, flickering light

Then I surrender unto sleep

Where clouds of dreams give second sight

What dreams may come both dark and deep

Of flying wings and soaring leap

As I surrender unto sleep

This is one of my favorite challenging pieces for me. When the sopranos soar towards the end and transitions into that pianissimo "sleep", I couldn't help but wonder if I could ever sing like that again. Now, my voice isn't much. I just wish that this illness of mine would come to pass.

My Challenging Piece: Nach Soviel Nebel

2012-04-28T18:17:00.000+08:00

Procrastination--putting off or delaying. Despite having the privilege of having 120 hours of surfing, I only managed to write one blog in a week. I kept putting it off for some strange reason or maybe it's because I still have yet to hold on to an inspiration--the one motivation that made me began this blog in the first place. Sometimes when faced with a choral piece that's not too easy to learn, the choir would at times "procrastinate." But eventually, we get it done in time for the performance or competition. Amazingly, we'd be successful at it.

Nach Soviel Nebel is one of those pieces. Composed by Bruno Strobl for the competition in Austria, Nach Soviel Nebel is a challenging piece because honestly, it's no ordinary piece. As Strobl would say in his profile, "My composition style is structurally determined. In the late 1980s I decided to experiment with the partial tone row as a basis for composing. It took me a year, and several compositions, to consolidate the features of this style. Since then, I have been fascinated by the versatility, diversity and the incorporation of many musical elements in which this style can be used." via Bruno Strobl.

Here is the composition as performed by the Paragita Choir. There are parts in the song which is sung in piano or pianissimo--very softly. It's a difficult piece but one that's worth singing.

My Challenging Piece: Tangueando

2012-04-21T20:49:00.000+08:00

Ever encountered a song or a choral piece you thought was impossible to sing? Or maybe the kind of choral piece where you think only the best choirs can sing but not your own group? When I was a chorister, I had my personal share of choral pieces that I thought I'd never be able to sing--let alone the choir I belong to. But once you get to sing it, it's like an accomplishment that is unmatched.

The song I'm about to feature today is Tangueando. I remember this song so well that I had to listen to another choir's rendition of this song so that I could have a reference or a clue as to how it is sung. At least, this was my style. When I was able to sing this with the choir, what I thought was an impossible and annoying song to learn turned out to be one of my favorites.

Just a little background, Tangueando is a song composed by Oscar Escalada. It was composed in 1990 with a minimalist style and published by Lawson-Gould in 1994. It was entitled "Tangueando" because its structure goes through the various rhythms from Argentina, adapting the fast-pace dance beat and meshing it with overlapping lines of texts. However, the texts don't even sound like words. So it's part of the challenge to sing with seemingly non-word texts alongside the musical harmony that's supposed to be brought out. Thus, what you get is a rich polyrhythmic and enjoyable masterpiece in choral singing. More information about this song and its composer is found here: Tangueando. The website is in Spanish but there is also an English version of it.

What's included in the website is information about various choirs that sang this song. I'll feature the one sang by the Philipppine Madrigal Singers. To be honest, I listened to their rendition of the song first before I started learning the piece itself. Without further adieu, here is Tangueando. Hope you enjoy it!

Regina Coeli (A. Lotti) - Easter Season Prayer

2012-04-09T10:40:00.000+08:00

Happy Easter! This week marks the beginning of the Easter Season. For the next fifty days (culminating on the Pentecost), the noon time prayer to our Blessed Mother changes from the Angelus to Regina Caeli. The latter speaks of the joy of our dear Blessed Mother to the glorious resurrection of his son Jesus Christ from the dead.

I've sang two versions of this song when I was starting out as a choir member. I sang this with a group of all female vocalists and this was one of the songs we'd sing during the Easter Vigil. I had a hard time looking for the specific version that I like on the Internet. I didn't know the name of the composer then. But after trying every combination of search words on Google, I finally found the version I was looking for--Antonio Lotti.

Antonio Lotti was born at Venice in 1667; died there, 5 January, 1740 and studied under Legrenzi, producing an opera, "Il Giustino", in his sixteenth year. On 31 May, 1692, he was appointed second organist of St. Mark's, and on 17 August, 1704, he succeeded Spada as first organist. On 2 April, 1736, he was elected maestro di cappella, though Pollarolo, Porpora, and Porta were formidable rivals for the much-coveted post, with a salary of 400 ducats. Between the years 1703 and 1730 he composed numerous masses and motets, especially his "Miserere", which supplanted the version of Legrenzi and is still sung at St. Mark's on Holy Thursday. Lotti also composed twenty-seven operas (1693-1717), and he spent two years at Dresden, producing various works. After his return to Venice, in November, 1719, he gave up secular writing, and devoted himself solely to church and chamber music.
via Catholic Encyclopedia

Additional reading on Lotti can be found here.

In this rendition, the choir is accompanied by organ. This song could also be sung a capella style. I like this version of Regina Caeli because its tone is a combination of solemn soft tones and grand celebration style tones. Hope you enjoy this video. Happy Easter once again!

Latin Text

Regina coeli laetare, Alleluia,

Quia quem meruisti portare, Alleluia,

Resurrexit sicut dixit, Alleluia.

Ora pro nobis Deum. Alleluia.

English Translation

Queen of Heaven, rejoice, alleluia.

For He whom you were worthy to bear, alleluia,

has risen, as He said, alleluia.

Pray for us to God, alleluia.

Christus Factus Est -- A Reflection on the Passion and Memories of Singing

2012-04-01T16:50:00.001+08:00

Philippians 2:6-11

Christ, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name.

Thus it is written in today's second reading. Today is Passion (Palm) Sunday. I was looking for a song that would be featured in my blog. Upon doing so, I stumbled upon a memory, a song that I sang with the choir during my first year with them--Christus Factus Est.

Christus Factus Est This text is used both as a gradual and, during the triduum, as an antiphon in place of the responsory. In the modern Graduale Romanum, this text is the Gradual for Passion (Palm) Sunday and The Exultation of the Holy Cross (September 14). In the extraordinary or ‘Tridentine’ rite, this text is the gradual for the Mass of Maundy Thursday, as well as for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross. via ChoralWiki

The composition I'll be featuring is the one of Anton Bruckner. Josef Anton Bruckner was born on September 4, 1824 in the upper Austrian town of Ansfelden. His father was a schoolteacher and church organist, and Bruckner's initial studies followed similar lines. When Bruckner was 13, his father died, and he enrolled in the church school at St. Florian (some ten miles from Linz) as a chorister. There, he studied organ, piano, and music theory. On his own, Bruckner assiduously studied the music of Renaissance Italian polyphonic masters such as Palestrina and German Baroque composers, especially J.S. Bach. via Notes on four Bruckner Motets.

The video presents the beginning of the Liturgy of the Eucharist in a Holy Mass presided by Pope Benedict XVI at Westminster Cathedral. The Westminster Cathedral Choir sings Bruckner's Christus Factus Est, which became a beautiful background to the offertory ceremonies being conducted at this point in the Holy Mass. The text of the song came from the quoted text above, the letter of St. Paul to the Philippians.

Christus / factus / est / pro / nobis / obediens
Christ / made / was / for / us / obedient

usque / ad / mortem, / mortem / autem / crucis.
even / unto / death / death / on / cross

Propter / quod / et / Deus / exaltavit / illum
because of / this / and / God / raised / him

et / dedit / illi / nomen,
and / bestowed / on him / name

quod / est / super / omne / nomen.
which / is / above / all / names

Truly it is a mystery to be grasped. Our Lord's passion is the perfect example of obedience to the will of the Heavenly Father. By this act of obedience, Jesus opened the doors for us to save us from our sins. He bore it all on the cross in the spirit of a willing victim to be offered up once and for all to our Father God. It is difficult to explain the magnitude of this act of our Lord Jesus Christ. Hopefully, when we join the activities of the Catholic Church this week, we'd focus our minds in reflecting upon our Lord's passion and death.

Hearing the song once again brought back memories of joyful singing with the choir. We sang many sacred music pieces as it forms part of our usual repertoire when preparing for concerts. The singing of sacred music became the first in the line of pieces to be sung. The purpose of which is to give glory and honor to God for the wonderful gift of music. These are memories truly worth cherishing.

Ave Maria (Jacques Arcadelt) -- One of My Firsts

2012-03-31T10:33:00.000+08:00

Ave Maria is one prayer that has several arrangements by well-renowned musicians. During my early stints as a chorister, I had the opportunity to sing Jacques Arcadelt's arrangement.

Jacques Arcadelt (also Jacob Arcadelt) (c. 1507 – 14 October 1568) was a Franco-Flemish composer of the Renaissance, active in both Italy and France, and principally known as a composer of secular vocal music. Although he also wrote sacred vocal music, he was one of the most famous of the early composers of madrigals; his first book of madrigals, published within a decade of the appearance of the earliest examples of the form, was the most widely printed collection of madrigals of the entire era. via Wikipedia

In preparation for Holy Week 2012, I will feature some of my favorite sacred music choral pieces. Ave Maria by Jacques Arcadelt is one of the first sacred music choral pieces I've learned. Since it's a Saturday, the church dedicates this day to our dear Lady, which is why I saw it fit to feature this song.

Ave Verum Corpus -- Worth Reflecting Again

2012-03-25T17:19:00.000+08:00

“I am troubled now. Yet what should I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But it was for this purpose that I came to this hour. (John 12:27)

Although there were other verses that the priest emphasized in today's Gospel, I chose to reflect on these words. It reminded me of a song I featured in one of my earlier blogs in January of this year: Ave Verum. Here I will feature the song again, this time presenting Mozart's composition. When I was still singing with the choir, this is the version I learned first. It's accompanied by an orchestra or an organist. It's solemn and uplifting. Here are the words in Latin and English. It will truly help in reflecting the passage above. Have a wonderful day!

Ave, verum corpus Hail,true body
natum de Maria Virgine, born of the Virgin Mary,
Vere passum immolatum Who truly suffered, sacrificed
in Cruce pro homine, on the Cross for man,
Cujus latus perforatum Whose pierced side
unda fluxit et sanguine, overflowed with water and blood,
Esto nobis praegustatum Be for us a foretaste
in mortis examine. In the trial of death.

Recharge In His Heart

2012-03-24T10:24:00.000+08:00

A colleague has this Dilbert mug with the following inscription: "Away you demons of stupidity!" Well, so many struggles in our life involve in one form or the other--not just demons of stupidity--but the "daemon" himself. After this gruelling week of training, I remember a song entitled "Daemon Irrepit Calidus" by Gyorgy Orban. It's one of the songs I used to sing with the choir in which I was quite challenged with the pacing, exchange and overlapping lines among the different voices. Also, this song brought back wonderful memories of my first trip outside of the Philippines. It's nice to sometimes go back a relish the good times as a way of recharging oneself and prepare for another possible challenging week ahead. And it's my personal prayer as well as a command in the name of Jesus Christ--away with you "daemons."

Daemon Irrepit Callidus György Orbán
Daemon irrepit calidus,
Allicit cor honoribus.
Quid amabile Daemon dat
Cor jesu minus aestimat
Daemon point frauds inter cantus,
Saltus, Daemon!
Caro venaratur sensibus;
Sen sus adhaeret dapibus;
In aescatur, impinguatur dilatatur.
Cordis Aestum non explebunt, non arcebunt, Daemon! Daemon!

Translation:
The Demon sneaks expertly
Tempting the honorable heart:
He sets forth trickery amidst praise, song and dance.
However amiably the Demon acts,
It is still worth less than the heart of Jesus.
The Flesh is tempted by sensuality;
Gluttony clings to our senses;
It overgrows, it encroaches, it stretches.
However appealing the Flesh is,
It is still worth less than the heart of Jesus.
Though the Universe may confer
Thousands upon thousands of praises,
They neither fulfill nor put out the desire of the heart.
However appealing the whole Universe is,
It is still worth less than the heart of Jesus.

The Greatest Gift of Love

2012-03-18T12:55:00.002+08:00

When I was still with the choir, we were learning some new songs to sing for the mass. One of them was a song entitled "Sa Iyong Mga Yapak." When we were working on our harmony, I seem to remember our choirmaster telling us to feel and understand every word that we sing. Taking that suggestion to heart, we began singing the song and while the sopranos (I being one of them) were singing the words, I almost choked and found myself wanting to cry. It's like a revelation at that time that the song that I'm singing refers to the loving act of our Lord Jesus Christ as he suffered and died for our sins. It's a good thing that there were eight of us in the soprano section and so, my stopping at mid-song wasn't too obvious. Since then, whenever we sing this song during the mass, I try my best to hold back the tears for a few minutes so that the beauty of the song and it's reflective words may touch those people hearing mass. I knew then that this song is truly perfect for Lenten Season. But I'd take it a step further that this song truly reflects Jesus' everyday sacrifice to us whenever he changes the host and the wine into his body and blood. This is one of my favorite and most loved Filipino Sacred Music. Here I share it with you in the spirit of the Lenten Season and in thanksgiving for God's marvelous gift of love and mercy.

By the way, the English translation is a rough one. Pardon my efforts if I have not completely captured the essence of the song. I hope that you'd be touched by the song itself.

SA IYONG MGA YAPAK English Translation

Landas na kay tinik sa Iyo'y inilaan A path filled with thorns was intended for You

Bawa't hakbang nito'y dusa't hirap ang laman Every step is filled with suffering and anguish

Sa kalooban ng Ama nagpasakop kang ganap You submitted to the Father’s will fully

Buhay Mo O Hesus ang siyang alay na sapat Your life, O Jesus, was the only offering that’s enough

Laban sa agos ng mundo, Against the grain of the world,

Lumakad ka sa landas Mo You walked the path only you have chosen

Laban sa lakad ng mundo, Against the trend of the world,

Landas na sa 'ki'y nais Mo You walked the path you wished that I would take

Sa Iyong mga yapak, ako ay tatahak I will walk in Your footsteps,

Kahit tigib ng luha ang nilakaran Mong landas Even though the path You trod is full of tears

Pasakit man at dusa dulot ng mundo'y kamtan Even if the world may bring me pain and suffering

Bawat bakas ng Iyong mga yapak Every trace of Your footsteps

Bawat hakbang Mo'y aking susundan Every step You take, I shall take it too

Kay hirap Mang gawin kalooban Mo'y tupdin Though it’s hard to do Thy will completely

Pinili kong sundan bakas ng 'Yong mga hakbang I choose to follow the path treaded by your footsteps

Ang buhay ko'y laan sa Iyo kailanpaman My life I give fully to Thee forevermore

Maglilingkod sa'Yo Panginoon hanggang wakas I shall serve you, O God, to the end

Stabat Mater: Being One with the Mother of Sorrows

2012-03-11T18:05:00.001+08:00

It's difficult to lose a loved one--that's partly the reason why I haven't written anything on this blog. I know that we (the family) have done everything good for my dad. There was one detail there I wasn't happy about and it concerns the subject (the inspiration) for this blog. I lost that inspiration and it took a while before I thought about what to write in this blog.

Since my dad passed away three weeks ago, the family and I were too busy with things to be done for my dad's passage to the afterlife--the family, both here in Manila and Bacolod, contributed and shared with us (dad's immediate family) their condolences, plus friends of dad and the family. I couldn't thank them enough!

Our time to grieve happen to coincide with the Season of Lent. I came to recall a song that immortalized Mary's sorrow at the death of her dearly beloved son Jesus Christ--Stabat Mater. Who else could perfectly understand the pain of loss and suffering than that of our dear Blessed Mother Mary? This is a song that I see fitting for this occasion. And also, this for you, dad! Farewell!

From the family mausoleum in Isabela, Negros Occidental

STABAT MATER                                                     English Translation

1. Stabat Mater dolorosa                                           1. At the cross her station keeping,
Iuxta crucem lacrimosa                                               stood the mournful mother weeping,
Dum pendebat Filius                                                   close to Jesus to the last

2. Cuius animam gementem                                       2. Through her heart, his sorrow sharing,
Contristatam et dolentem                                           all his bitter anguish bearing,
Pertransivit gladius                                                     now at length the sword had passed.

3. O quam tristis et afflicta                                        3. Oh how sad and sore distressed
Fuit illa benedicta                                                    was that mother highly blessed,
Mater unigeniti!                                                         of the sole-begotten One!

4. Quae moerebat et dolebat,                                   4. Christ above in torment hangs;
Pia Mater, dum videbat                                            she beneath beholds the pangs
Nati poenas incliti                                                     of her dying glorious Son.

5. Quis est homo qui non fleret,                                5. Is there one who would not weep,
Matrem Christi si videret                                          whelmed in miseries so deep
In tanto supplicio?                                                    Christ's dear Mother to behold?

6. Quis non posset contristari,                                   6. Can the human heart refrain
Christi Matrem contemplari                                       from partaking in her pain,
Dolentem cum Filio?                                                 in that Mother's pain untold?

7. Pro peccatis suae gentis                                       7. For the sins of His own nation
Vidit Iesum in tormentis,                                          saw Him hang in desolation,
Et flagellis subditum.                                                all with bloody scourges rent.

8. Vidit suum dulcem natum                                     8. Bruised, derided, cursed, defiled,
Moriendo desolatum                                               she beheld her tender child,
Dum emisit spiritum                                                 till His Spirit forth he sent.

9. Eia Mater, fons amoris                                        9. O, thou Mother, fount of love,
Me sentire vim doloris                                             touch my spirit from above,
Fac, ut tecum lugeam                                             make my heart with thine accord.

10. Fac, ut ardeat cor meum                                   10. Make me feel as thou has felt;
In amando Christum Deum                                      make my soul to glow and melt
Ut sibi complaceam                                                 with the love of Christ our Lord.

11. Sancta Mater, istud agas,                                  11. Holy Mother, pierce me through;
Crucifixi fige plagas                                                 in my heart each wound renew
Cordi meo valide.                                                   of my Saviour crucified.

12. Tui nati vulnerati,                                               12. Let met share with thee his pain,
Tam dignati pro me pati,                                           who for all my sins was slain,
Poenas mecum divide.                                             who for me in torments died.

13. Fac me tecum, pie, flere,                                    13. Let me mingle tears with thee,
Crucifixo condolere,                                                 mourning Him Who mourned for me,
Donec ego vixero.                                                    all the days that I may live.

14. Iuxta crucem tecum stare,                                   14. By the cross with thee to stay,
Et me tibi sociare                                                      there with thee to weep and pray,
In planctu desidero                                                   this I ask of thee to give.

15. Virgo virginum praeclara,                                    15. Virgin, of all virgins blest,
Mihi iam non sis amara                                              O refuse not my request:
Fac me tecum plangere                                              let me in thy weeping share

16. Fac, ut portem Christi mortem                             16. Let me, to my latest breath,
Passionis fac consortem,                                            in my body bear the death
Et plagas recolere.                                                     of that dying Son of thine.

17. Fac me plagis vulnerari,                                       17. Wounded with his every wound,
Fac me cruce inebriari,                                              steep my soul till it hath swooned
Et cruore Filii                                                            in His very blood away.

18. Flammis ne urar succensus                                   18. Be to me, O Virgin, nigh,
Per Te, Virgo, sim defensus                                        lest in flames I burn and die,
In die iudicii                                                               in that awful judgment day.

19. Christe, cum sit hinc exire,                                   19. Christ, when thou shalt call me hence,
Da per Matrem me venire                                          be Thy mother my defense,
Ad palmam victoriae                                                  be Thy cross my victory.

20. Quando corpus morietur,                                     20. While my body here decays,
Fac, ut animae donetur                                               may my soul Thy goodness praise,
Paradisi gloria. Amen                                                 safe in Paradise with Thee. Amen.

Praying For Others

2012-02-19T21:36:00.000+08:00

It is only now that I've had the time to write a blog. I guess when I do a week's training, I realize that I haven't got the time to write and organize my blog. Last week was Valentine's week--a week dedicated to love and friendship. So how have I been during that week?

I admit that I am an impatient person. I even get impatient with myself--not finding the file I'm looking for in my computer at one time led me to a childish tantrum. At that time, I was alone in the room. As my trainees came in, they did see the distress in my face, but the tantrum was over by then. If I get impatient with myself, so much more with other people.

Last Friday, I had a sinking feeling of sadness. Yes, I pray to the Lord everyday. But I'm saddened by the fact that how I am in prayer is not how I am in practice. I may be "holier than thou" in front of the Lord in a chapel or church. But where is the love when I'm out there facing different types of people and being impatient when they do something that's not to my liking? I was saddened by the fact that I am angry at some people and I am impatient with others. Realizing that I myself am imperfect and no better than any human being, why am I being so impatient with others? Have I lost the love of Christ?

I struggle with my impatience everyday. It's more of a spiritual struggle and times like these call for prayers--not only my own--of other people, especially those who are close to me. Today, I reflect on the importance of praying for other people. I remember being told that praying for others is actually quite powerful. The inspiration for this song came from the Gospel according to St. Matthew 18: 19-20. I know I couldn't face my struggles alone. With God--and others praying for me and I for them--every struggle can be overcome.

ESTO LES DIGO

Esto les digo,                                                           'This I say to you,
si dos de ustedes se ponen,                                  if two of you are put,
se ponen de acuerdo aquí en,                    are put in accord here in,
en la tierra para pedir,                                              in the earth to ask,
pedir algo en oración,                                              to ask anything in prayer,
mi padre que está en el cielo,                                     my Father which is in heaven,
se lo dará.                                                               will give it to you.
Porque donde dos o tres se reúnen en mi nombre,        Because where two or three are gathered in my name,
allí estoy yo,                                                               there am I,
en medio de ellos.                                in the midst of them.'

Let's Be Generous--Prayer for Generosity

2012-02-12T16:32:00.000+08:00

Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand, touched him, and said to him, “I do will it. Be made clean.” (Mark 1:41)

Sometimes it's disheartening to listen or read the news. You'll hear public servants getting impeached, politicians simply grandstanding during impeachment trial proceedings, rumors about who's who and who's the president dating these days. Then lately you've heard the devastating earthquake that struck our brothers and sisters in Negros Oriental. Then, you have your own personal problems to take care of--the primary needs of your family, the duties you need to fulfill at work, the everyday commute, and to some, the demands of serving your community.

Jesus Christ had a lot to do when he did his ministry. During such times, he healed many people who are sick. In today's Gospel, he cured a man who had leprosy. The passage above is truly something that shows the Godliness and humanity of our Lord--he was moved with pity. It was compassion and love that made him do the healing. But after this episode, despite asking the man who was cured not to spread it around, the man broadcasted it through out the city. Jesus became popular but he doesn't need or want that popularity at all. And despite going to a deserted place to rest and pray, people eventually found him and he would serve them still. But are the people only after his healing and not appreciating his compassion for them?

How many of us take time to be compassionate towards one another? Sometimes, we are too focused on the "bad news" or our own problems that sometimes we tend to forget what also matters--to love one another as Jesus loved us. When we do our work, do we do it whole-heartedly, not just out of a sense of duty? When we take care of the needs of our family, do we take time also to simply tell them that we love them? When we watch the news or other TV programs, do we feel pity and try to help out if we hear victims of natural disasters? When we are with friends, is it only because we need them or we enjoy their company or do we stop at times and think about what do they need that you could help them out with?

Despite all the negative vibes from "bad news" and other things that preoccupy us, we could counter this one by asking the Lord to also make us clean--clean us of our impatience, of our indifference, of our selfishness, of our hatred or anger towards other people. Then, we can also stretch out our hands to the people who need us, to be of service not just because it is a duty or an obligation but out of love and compassion.

Let's all join our hands in prayer as we all ask for a generous heart from our Lord Jesus Christ. I'm sure some of you have heard this song before. It is the Prayer for Generosity. Feel free to sing with the Ateneo choirs.

Prayer for Generosity

Dearest Lord, teach me to be generous

Teach me to serve you as I should

To give and not to count the cost

To fight and not to heed the wounds

To toil and not to seek for rest

To labor and ask not for reward

Save that of knowing that I do

Your most Holy Will.

Filipino Folk Goes International: Iddem-Dem Mallida

2012-02-11T20:23:00.000+08:00

Singkreis Porcia was founded in 1956. Members come from the communities of Upper Carinthia. They come from different professions, some of them are into music as a profession. The choir has developed more intensively and is now one of the well-known choirs in Austria. They have performed in many countries around the world, represented at prestigious festivals in various concerts in Austria and been repeatedly invited by domestic and foreign radio and television stations to participate in live performances and archival footage.

Via Singkreis Porcia (roughly translated in Google Translate)

When I came to Austria with Novo to participate in one of the world's prestigious choir festival and competition in Spittal an der Drau, the Singkreis Porcia performed in a welcome concert wherein they sang the various folk songs from the country of origin of the different participating choirs. In this concert, they sang Iddem-Dem Mallida as representative of the Philippine choir. I've sung this song with a different choir and so I was really excited to hear their rendition of this song. They sounded good and in fact, their approach to the song came out as classical--smooth, harmonious, polyphonic singing at best. Admittedly, the song wasn't suppose to be sung that way. Nevertheless, I feature this song and this rendition for the sole purpose of saying thank you and for giving their best to sing a Filipino folk song that many Filipino choirs have sung.

Here is a video of their rendition captured in my own meek digital camera. The picture isn't that good but you could hear their singing which is more important. Iddem-Dem Malida is an Itneg Tribal Chant, arranged by Elmo Makil. It's origin I believe is the Mountain Province of Northern Philippines. Here is Singkreis Porcia singing Iddem-Dem Mallida.

Lyrics (based on the musical score)

Iddem-dem mallida, inabacmidaida
Iddem-dem mallida
Yomayom agdagdagi yomayom
Iddem-dem mallida, inabacmidaida
Dong dong ay sidongilay insallidumay
Ilailalay, Ilailalay
Yomayom agdagdagi yomayom
Iddem-dem mallida, inabacmidaida
Iddem-dem maillida

Filipino Folk Goes International: Paru-Parong Bukid

2012-02-11T07:27:00.000+08:00

Paru-Parong Bukid (Eng Trans. Butterfly Field) is one of the more popular folk song in the Philippines that was successfully made into a classic “kundiman” (musical) movie eponymously titled – Paru-Parong Bukid. The movie was produced by Sampaguita Pictures in 1938 top-billed by renowned “kundiman” actor Rudy Concepcion and his favorite on-screen love interest, Rosario Moreno. via All Philippines

A fellow faculty member told me this joke.
Faculty: Knock! Knock!
Me: Who’s there?
Faculty: Butterfly.
Me. Butterfly who?
Faculty: B-U-TT-E-R F-L-Y, Butterfly! (repeat 3x) Beeeee-U-TT-ER F-L-Y, Butterfly!

Not funny isn’t it? Try singing the line to the tune of Paru-Parong Bukid. Listen to the video below as an American Choir sings and interprets this song.

PARU-PARUNG BUKID SONG LYRICS (Learn more)

Paruparong bukid na lilipad-lipad
Sa gitna ng daan papagapagaspas
Isang bara ang tapis
Isang dangkal ang manggas
Ang sayang de kola
Isang piyesa ang sayad

May payneta pa siya — uy!
May suklay pa man din — uy!
Nagwas de-ohetes ang palalabasin
Haharap sa altar at mananalamin
At saka lalakad nang pakendeng-kendeng.

Now try singing it, using only one word: Butterfly. Ready? Go! B-U-TT-E-R F-L-Y, Butterfly... ;-D