When the world seems far beyond me, And I have no place to go, When my life seems cold and empty, And I feel I’m all alone, Then a song that I remember Helps to ease my troubled mind...
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.
Folk songs present the character and beauty of one's culture. In choral singing, folk songs are entitled as one of many categories in music festivals and choral competitions. Furthermore, choral competitions open the door to cultural exchange in the form of swapping and/or trading folk songs among the different choirs.
Rosas Pandan is one of the Filipino folk songs that's been around the world. When you go to YouTube for example, I've seen many non-Filipino choirs sing this song--choirs from Europe, the USA, and Asia. It's upbeat and catchy tone gives the audience a "wow" experience. It's final notes are sang in a grandiose blend of polyphonic harmony.
Personally, this song is special to me because of the one person whose love for singing has influenced and touched my life--my mom! My mom loves this song that every time I sing this with the choir, she's all smiles like her day has brighten up more than any other day. My mom was a singer before she got married. She told me that Rosas Pandan was one of the songs she used to sing in a competition. And she won that competition, so the song--apart from being enjoyable on its own--truly holds a special place in my mom's heart.
Cheers to mom and to all the mothers in the world! Here is Rosas Pandan.
CEBUANO VERSION: ENGLISH TRANSLATION: (from this blog) Ania si Rosas Pandan Here is Rosas Pandan Gikan pa intawon sa kabukiran Just arrived from the mountains Kaninyo makiguban-uban To be with all of you Sa gisaulog nga kalingawan To celebrate the fiesta
Balitaw day akong puhunan This song is my livelihood Maoy kabilin sa akong ginikanan An inheritance from my parents Awit nga labing kara-an A most ancient song Nga garbo ning atong kabungturan The pride of our hill country
Dika ding dika ding dika ding Dika ding dika ding dika ding Ayay sa atong
balitaw Hey!, our song Manindot pa ug sayaw Is still nice to dance to Daw yamog ang kabugnaw Like fog on a cold day
Dika dong dika dong dika dong Dika dong dika dong dika dong Ayay usab si Dodong Hey!, also the young man Nagtan-aw kang Inday He's looking at the young lady Nagtabisay ang laway His drool is falling
Ayayay ayayay ayayay Ayayay ayayay ayayay Aya-ay sa akong balitaw Hey!, my song Kanindot ba mosayaw Is it nice to dance to Daw yamog ang kabugnaw Like fog on a cold day
Tigadong tigadong tigadong Tigadong tigadong tigadong Ayay usab si Dodong Hey!, also the young man Nagtan-aw kang Inday He's looking at the young lady Nagtabisay ang laway His drool is falling
Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life -- Berthold Auerbach
It rained quite hard today. To many, rain is associated with sadness like its a non-stop shedding of tears from heaven. To me, rain is a blessing, a cleansing and washing away of life's "everyday dust."
I'm not sure what to write in this blog save that I know what its subject is. I spoke with my financial adviser and I wish I could say that all was well. That conversation left me in a downer mood. It was ironic that that mood set in just when the rain has stopped. So what do we do when times are rough? When the unexpected mars our plans for the future? Then, I remember addressing a blog to one of my good friends. I shared a song and the first line goes "When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary talks to me speaking words of wisdom: let it be."
Music truly has a way of answering our deepest thoughts and sought after dreams. Choral singing in particular has that cleansing and reflective effect upon me. Each song has its own way of catharsis. Each song has its own way to ease the soul.
Sometimes when you feel down, you'd need the comfort of someone who cares for you the most. And I find this beautiful trait in the Most Blessed Mother Mary--the Mother of Jesus Christ. She is a mother not only to Catholics, but to everyone. Yes, believe it or not, she can and is the mother of everyone who seeks for a mother in his/her life. Just think of what a perfect mother should be like: kind, tender, lovingly caressing and nurturing her children, understanding and concerned about their feelings, worries and wants in life; a constant shoulder to cry on, giving hope and encouragement for the young ones to continue to struggle amidst the trials and difficulties...oh I could go on and on and on. Anyone could seek this mother--if he/she wants to--in the Blessed Mother Mary.
You may or may not agree with me. But allow me to invite you to listen to one of the most popular hymns dedicated to our dear Blessed Mother. This prayer has been set into song for several generations and until now, composers continue to revisit and write new arrangements. Without further adieu, I present to you "Ave Maria" arranged by Ralph Hoffman and performed by Novo Concertante Manila. I invite you to bask in its highs and lows, its soft and loud moments...for it is in these moments in our life that our Mother's love can truly be felt if you wish to seek it.
Ave Maria Lyrics (Latin) English
Ave Maria Hail Mary
Gratia plena Full of grace
Dominus tecum The Lord is with you
Benedicta tu in mulieribus Blessed are you among women
Et benedictus fructus ventris And Blessed is the fruit of your womb
Tui, Jesus Jesus...
Sancta Maria Holy Mary
Mater Dei Mother of God
Ora pro nobis peccatoribus Pray for us sinners
Nunc et in hora mortis nostrae Now and at the hour of our death
Amen. Amen.
Allow me to introduce you to my friends Jenny and Queenie. Jenny (not her real name) is smart, inquisitive, reflective, and always curious. She likes asking questions that would really make you think--questions about justice for example. She is open to new ideas and it would be a good idea to let her speak her mind. When something is troubling her and she feels the need to express it, just let her be--she usually does have a point to make. If she has the time, she could write inspiring messages and send them via cellphone or Facebook--about what went on in her mind while waiting in traffic for example. Last but not the least, she is very generous with her time and energy. Meeting friends, doing her duties, participating in outreach and other social activities--she's all for it!
Queenie (not her real name) is also just as generous with her time and energy. But whereas Jenny exemplifies keenness of mind, Queenie is a person with a pure heart. She is sensitive to other people's feelings and she never fails to make you laugh. Her sense of humor is natural, heartfelt, and downright funny--she doesn't even need to try hard. She greets you with a smile and you couldn't help but feel lifted up. Tell her in a subtle way that you have a problem, she'll surely be the one to lend a hand or even a shoulder to cry on. She will definitely take time to hear what's on your mind and your heart. She won't be afraid to advise or to guide you if you ask her to.
Yes, these are my friends whom I've met only last year. But they've been such a blessing to me that I fondly call them "Mind and Heart"--only in this blog anyway! In line with offering my fave choral pieces, I'd like to dedicate this song to my friends Jenny and Queenie. I believe this song captures some aspects of their character which I've roughly outlined here. Here's to Jenny and Queenie and I hope you like this song.
LET IT BE (by the Beatles, sang by the Philippine Madrigal Singers)
When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be
And in my hour of darkness
She is standing right in front of me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be
Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be
And when the broken hearted people Living in the world agree
There will be an answer, let it be
For though they may be parted, There is still a chance that they will see
There will be an answer, let it be
Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be
There will be an answer, let it be
Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be
Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be
And when the night is cloudy There is still a light that shines on me
Shine until tomorrow, let it be
I wake up to the sound of music, Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be
Let it be, let it be, let it be, yeah, let it be
There will be an answer, let it be
Let it be, let it be, let it be, yeah, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be
This song is about Paul McCartney's mom--which happens to be named Mary and a devout Roman Catholic. I guess this is a perfect song to all women--not just mothers. After all, at one point many women have become "mothers" to a lot of people by sharing their intelligence and love for the other people's benefit. :-)
I couldn't think of any other way to start the New Year than to pause and reflect on the Solemnity of the Motherhood of Mary.
In 2009, while preparing for my trip to Spain with my choir, I did my research on our destination which was Torrevieja. The first thing I sought was a church and I was not disappointed. Prayer time is important to me. During our European tour (we went to Austria and Germany too), I knew that I could easily find a church. But how I actually found it is even astounding to me. It was my first time to go to Spain, but one could find their way around if they know how to look--asking directions would be the direct way! So my friend and I asked for instructions on how to go to the city proper of Torrevieja. I asked if the church is along the bus route. True enough, it was!
The Plaza in front of the church
Drawing closer to the church...
This post is dedicated to the Blessed Mother Mary--mother of Jesus Christ. Oh how I'd love to sing and bask in the presence of the Mother of God! I am speechless and humbled before the Gracious Lady. Admittedly, when I took the picture below, I was shaking in awestruck at one of the most beautiful images of our Blessed Mother.
Our Lady of the Immaculate Concepcion, Torrevieja, Spain
An Image of Our Lady taken from the Diocesan Shrine of St. Therese of the Child Jesus -- where I went to church this morning. :)
In honoring Mary, we also honor the Lord Jesus Christ. Her grace comes from her own Son and it is quite impossible to speak about Mary without reference to Jesus Christ. Since we have come towards the end of Christmas celebration, there is one song that I'll always cherish that pertains to the birth of Jesus--O Magnum Mysterium. The version that you will listen to is composed by Javier Busto. There are other renditions of this beautiful song but I like this version because the "Alleluia" at the end just takes one's breath away! The song begins with the choir "whispering"--O Magnum Mysterium--but if you listen closely, you will realize that this is not just some fancy whispering. Without further adieu, in honor of Jesus and his mother Mary, here is the song O Magnum Mysterium.
Latin text
O magnum mysterium,
et admirabile sacramentum,
ut animalia viderent Dominum natum,
jacentem in praesepio!
Beata Virgo, cujus viscera
meruerunt portare
Dominum Jesum Christum.
Alleluia.
English translation
O great mystery,
and wonderful sacrament,
that animals should see the new-born Lord,
lying in a manger!
Blessed is the Virgin whose womb
was worthy to bear
Jesus Christ the Lord.
Alleluia!
