Concert Programs

USC Thornton Baroque Sinfonia: From Heaven On High

December 1, 2023
8:00 p.m.

USC Thornton’s early music ensemble, the Baroque Sinfonia, presents Christmas music of the German Baroque era, led by faculty members Rotem Gilbert and Jason Yoshida.
 
Entitled “From Heaven On High,” the program features music by Michael Praetorius, Heinrich Schütz, Johann Rosenmüller and Dietrich Buxtehude.

Program

Bransle double 1-3
Gavotte 1-4

Michael Praetorius
Terpsichore (1612)

Jauchzet dem Herren

Johann Vierdanck
Geistliche Konzerte (1641)

Spagnoletta
Volte

Michael Praetorius
Terpsichore (1612)

Es ist ein Ros entsprungen

Michael Praetorius
Musæ Sioniæ (1607)

Der Herr Zebaoth

Johann Vierdanck
(1641)

Sonata Undecima à5

Johann Rosenmüller
(1682)

Das newgebohrne Kindelein, BuxWV 13

Dietrich Buxtehüde
Universitetsbibliotek, Uppsala (c. 1670)

Nun komm der Heiden Heiland
Makena James, organ

Makena James

Sonata à Cinque

Johann Heinrich Schmelzer
(1662)

Serenada à cinque Der Nachatwächter
Serenada/Adagio/Allamanda/Aria
Ciacona “The Watchman”

Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber

Steh auf, meine Freundin

Johann Vierdanck
(1641)

Sonata settima à4

Johann Rosenmüller
(1682)

Puer natus in Bethlehem à2

Michael Praetorius
Musæ Sioniæ (1610)

Puer natus in Bethlehem à12

Michael Praetorius
Polyhymnia Caduceatrix (1619)

Text & Translations

Jauchzet dem Herren
 
Jauchzet dem Herren alle Welt;
Singet, rühmet, und lobet!
Er gedenket an seine Gnade und Wahrheit dem Hause Israel;
aller Welt Ende sehen das Heil unsers Gottes.
Lobet den Herren mit Harfen und Psalmen!
Mit Drommeten und Posaunen
jauchzet vor dem Herren, dem Könige!
Jauchzet dem Herren alle Welt;
Singet, rühmet, und lobet!
 
English Translation
Shout to the Lord, all the world;
Sing, boast, and praise!
He remembers his grace and truth to the house of Israel;
See the salvation of our God at the end of the world.
Praise the Lord with harps and psalms!
With drums and trombones
Shout for joy before the Lord the King!
Shout to the Lord, all the world;
Sing, boast, and praise!
 
 
Es ist ein Ros entsprungen
 
Es ist ein Ros entsprungen
Aus einer Wurzel zart,
Als uns die Alten sungen
Aus Jesse kam die Art
Und hat ein Blümlein bracht
Mitten im kalten Winter
Wohl zu der halben Nacht.
 
Das Röslein das ich meine
Davon Esaias sagt
Hat uns gebracht alleine
Marie, die reine Magd
Aus Gottes ewgem Rat
Hat sie ein Kind geboren
Wohl zu der halben Nacht.
 
English Translation
 
A rose has sprung up
From a tender root;
As the ancients sang to us
This root is of Jessie’s strain,
And has brought forth a blossom
In the midst of cold winter,
Well into half the night.
 
The little rose that I mean
Is the one of which Isaiah spoke;
The one who brings it unto us
Is Mary, the pure maid;
At God’s eternal counsel
She has borne a child
Well into half the night.
 
 
Der Herr Zebaoth, Refrain is Psalm 46:7
 
Der Herr Zebaoth ist mit uns;
der Gott Jakobs ist unser Schutz.
Jene verlassen sich auf Wagen und Roß,
Wir aber denken an den Namen des Herren, unsers Gottes,
 
Sie sind niedergestürzt und gefallen,
Wir aber stehen aufgerecht.
 
English Translation
 
The Lord of the Armies is with us;
The God of Jacob is our fortress.
Some trust in chariots and horses,
We, however, think on the name of the Lord, our God.
 
They are thrown down and fallen,
But we are made right.
 
 
Das newgebohrne Kindelein
 
Das neugeborne Kindelein,
das Hertze Liebe Jesulein,
bringt abermal ein newes Jahr
der außerwehlten Christen Schar.
 
Des freuen sich die Engelein,
die gerne umb uns seyn,
und singen in den Lüften frey,
daß Gott mit uns versönet sey.
 
Ist Gott versönt und unser Freund,
was kan uns thun der arge Feind.
Trotz Teuffel, Welt und Höllenpfort,
das Jesulein ist unser Hort.
 
Es bringt das rechte Jubel Jahr
was trauern wir dann immerdar,
frisch auff, es ist ietz Singes Zeit,
das Jesulein wendt alles Leid.
 
English Translation
 
The newborn little child,
the dearly beloved little Jesus
brings again a new year
to his chosen Christian flock.
 
Thus the angels rejoice
who like to be around and with us
and singing freely in the heavens
that God is reconciled with us.
 
Since God is reconciled and our friend,
what can the wicked Foe do to us?
Despite the Devil, the world, and hell’s portals,
Lord Jesus, you are our refuge.
 
You bring us a true jubilee year.
Why should we always mourn?
Look alive!—it’s time now for singing:
Lord Jesus, you turn away all suffering.
 
translation by Paul R. Marchesano
 
 
Der Nachtwächter, Lost Ihr Herrn Undt last eauch sagn
 
Lost Ihr Herrn Undt last euch sagn, der Hammer der Hat neyne (Zehne)
gschlagn, hüets Feyer hüets wohl, Undt lobet Gott den Herrn,
Undt Unser liebe Frau.
 
English Translation
 
List, good people, and be told, the clapper has struck nine (ten);
mind your fires, mind them well, and praise God the Lord
and Our Blessed Lady!
 
 
Steh auf, meine Freundin
 
Steh auff meine Freundin,
und komb her.
 
Steh auff meine Freundin, steh auf meine Schöne
denn sihe, der Winter ist vergangen, der Regen ist Weg und dahin
der Lentz is herbey kommen, die Blumen sind hervor.
 
Steh auff, meine Freundin, dan sihe
die Turteltaube lest sich hören in unserm Lande
der Feigenbaum hat Knotten gewonnen.
Steh auff meine Schöne,
die Winstöcke haben Augen gewonnen
und geben ihren Geruch.
 
 
English Translation
Arise my beloved, arise my beautiful one
for behold, the winter is gone, the rain is over and gone
the Spring has come, the flowers are out.
 
Arise, my beloved, then see
the turtledove can be heard in our country
the fig tree has gained fruit.
Arise, my beautiful one,
the vines have gained young fruit
and give off their aroma.
 
 
Puer Natus in Bethlehem
 
Puer natus in Bethlehem, unde Gaudet Hierusalem. Alleluia.
 
Singet, jubiliret, triumphiret unserm Herren dem König der Ehren.
 
Reges de Saba veniunt, aurum, thus, myrrham offerunt. Alleluia.
Singet, jubiliret…
 
Hic jacet in praesepio qui regnat sine termino. Alleluia.
Singet, jubiliret…
 
Mein Herzens Kindlein, mein liebstes Freundlein, O Jesu.
Lobt ihn mit Schale, ihr Christen alle.
 
In hoc natali gaudio benedicamus Domino. Alleluia.
Singet, jubiliret…
 
Laudetur sancta Trinitas, Deo dicamus gratias. Alleluia.
Singet, jubiliret…
 
Mein Herzens Kindlein, mein liebstes Freundlein, O Jesu.
Lobt ihn mit Schale, ihr Christen alle.
 
English Translation
 
A child is born in Bethlehem, over which Jerusalem rejoices! Alleluia.
 
Sing, rejoice, and shout triumphantly to our Lord the King of Glory!
 
Kings of Sheba came and offered gold, incense, and myrrh. Alleluia.
Sing, rejoice…
 
Here lies in a manger he who reigns without end. Alleluia.
Sing, rejoice…
 
Child of my heart, dearest little friend, O Jesus.
Praise him with joyful noise, all you Christians!
 
On this, his birthday, let us bless the Lord with gladness. Alleluia.
Sing, rejoice…
 
Praised be the Holy Trinity. Give thanks to God. Alleluia.
Sing, rejoice…
 
Child of my heart, dearest little friend, O Jesus.
Praise him with joyful noise, all you Christians!
 
translated by Rachelle Romero

Acknowledgements

Generous scholarship support for the members of the USC Thornton Baroque Sinfonia is provided by the Colburn Foundation. We are also grateful for generous scholarship support from the Rutherford Fund, established by our dear late friend and donor Bill Rutherford. Special thanks to our generous friends and donors Tom Rosenthal, Bob Attiyeh and Mike Rosell. Finally, we would like to offer a very special thanks to Sharon Lilly for her continued generous donation to the Thornton Early Music Program.
 
This concert is made possible with generous support by the USC-Huntington Early Modern Studies Institute.
 
USC-Huntington logo of a pineapple

Ensemble

USC Thornton Baroque Sinfonia
Veronika Manchur, violin
Diana Dawydchak, violin
Prosper Luchart, baroque viola
Jeremy Tai, baroque cello
Yuqi Wang, baroque cello
Ethan Moffitt, violone
Robert Wang, theorbo
Mana Azimi, triple harp
Hejun Yang, harpsichord
Makena James, organ
Rotem Gilbert, recorder, bagpipe*
Adam Gilbert, recorder, bagpipe*
Jason Yoshida, theorbo, baroque guitar*
 
Singers
Mary Elder, soprano
Eleanor Walters, soprano
Alex Kuncz, tenor
Connor Scott, baritone
 
* USC Thornton Early Music faculty

USC Thornton Early Music Faculty
Adam Gilbert, program director
Rotem Gilbert, Early Music Ensemble, musicology
Jason Yoshida, plucked strings & Early Music Ensemble
Jennifer Kampani, voice & Early Music Ensemble
Lot Demeyer, baroque oboe & Oboe Band
Maxine Eilander, triple harp
Ian Pritchard, harpsichord & early keyboards