PROGRAM NOTES Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was an Austrian composer, widely recognized as one of the greatest composers in the history of Western music. (Britannica) On top of his symphonies and instrumental music, his Italian operas are well known and regularly performed today. Composed in Salzburg in 1775, Con ossequio, con rispetto was originally written for tenor voice and orchestra as a concert aria. This aria is addressed to an old fool and is full of ironic compliments with humorous asides. Con ossequio, con rispetto, con rispetto io m’inchino e mi profondo a un sapiente si perfetto, che l’egual non v’è nel mondo, e l’eguale non verrà (per l’orgoglio e l’ignoranza, per la gran bestialità).
With obsequiousness, with respect with respect I bow, and then yet deeper whose equal does not exist in all the world and whose equal will not appear (as far as his pride, ignorance, and real stupidity). (Translated by Thomas Luna)
Franz Schubert was an Austrian composer who bridged the worlds of Classical and Romantic music, noted for the melody and harmony in his songs (lieder) and chamber music. (Britannica) In his career, Schubert wrote over 600 songs in addition to pieces in many other genres. In a Schubert song, the piano is an active supporter of the voice as it sets the scene for the music. He was an extremely influential composer who inspired composers such as Mendelssohn, Brahms, Liszt, and many more. Schubert set Nacht und Träume from text by Matthäus Karl von Collin in 1822. The floating vocal line that sits above the flowing accompaniment of alternating chords creates a quiet, nocturnal mood and depicts the night that Collin describes. Heil’ge Nacht, du sinkest nieder; nieder wallen auch die Träume, wie dein Mondlicht durch die Räume, durch der Menschen stille Brust.
Holy night, you are sinking down; dreams too are floating down, like your moonlight through the expanses of space, through the silent breasts of human beings.
Die belauschen si emit Lust; rufen, wenn der Tag erwacht: kehre wieder, holde Nacht! holde Träume, kehret wieder!
Who eavesdrops on them with pleasure; they call when day awakes: come back holy night! beauteous dreams, come back again! (Translated by Malcolm Wren)
Charles Gounod was a French composer noted particularly for his operas, of which the most famous are Faust and Roméo et Juliette. While Gounod wrote over 100 secular French songs over all stages of his life, the earliest period of his life includes many of the songs that are considered his best works. (Britannica) Le Soir, a French mélodie written in 1842 showcases Gounod’s ability to compose in the Romantic style. This song depicts the dusk turning to night and the beauty that the evening contains. Le soir ramène le silence. Assis sur ces rochers déserts, Je suis dans le vague des airs Le char de la nuit qui s’avance.
The evening brings back the silence. Seated upon these rocks deserted, I contemplate the chariot of the night approaches.
Vénus se lève à l’horizon; À mes pieds l’étoile amoureuse De sa lueur mystérieuse Blanchit les tapis de gazon.
Venus itself rises on the horizon; at my feet the star of love with its mysterious glow whitens the carpet of grass.