Music
A CD OF THE EQUINOX CONCERT IS AVAILABLE HERE.
THE EQUINOX PAGES HAVE BEEN RETAINED FOR ARCHIVE INTEREST. THANK YOU FOR READING.
The event will open with a percussion fanfare, composed by John Barber, followed by each of the choral groups singing a piece of their own choosing, linked to the theme of Equinox. The event will climax with all the choral groups and the percussion combining in the world premiere of Koinonia, a specially commissioned work, by award winning Midlands composer Christopher Long, with text in Hindi, Mandarin Chinese, Arabic, Swahili, Polish and Latin chosen by the participating groups.
The theme of Equinox has been chosen because it captures the notion of equality as it occurs twice a year when the sun crosses the celestial equator and night and day are of equal length. It is celebrated throughout the world with a variety of cultural festivals emphasising rebirth, fertility, creation, family and world citizenship. Examples include the Arab ‘Nowruz’ and the Indian ‘Holi’. It is also marked as New Year’s Day and Mother’s Day in several countries. The date of Easter is determined by the Sunday after the first full moon on or after the March equinox.
You can find out more about the music each choral group will be singing in the first half of the concert below.
Three Shakespeare Songs by Ralph Vaughan Williams (1951)
This piece will be sung by the City of Birmingham Choir. It comprises three short songs which use excerpts of text from William Shakespeare’s Tempest and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The lyrics deal with creation, death, dreams, and the beauties of nature and therefore links with the theme of Equinox. The work was specially composed for The British Federation of Music Festivals National Competition Festival 1951
Sumer Is Icumen In by Anonymous (circa 1260)
Bournville Young Singers will perform this traditional English round, which is possibly the oldest example of counterpoint in existence. It is a song about the arrival of spring. It was performed at the opening ceremony of Munich Olympics with children dancing to the music around the athletics track. Random fact: the “we will fix it” song sung by the mice in the TV show Bagpuss is to the tune of Sumer is Icumen in!
Sinjenje – We Are What We Are by Colin Anderson (2009)
This work will be performed by Black Voices and Town Hall Gospel Choir. It is based on Zulu & Xhosa call & response. It remembers that we are here because of the prayers of our fore parents and that how we live and what we leave behind is our choice. It was composed for Sing For All – Community Spirit in 2009.
Overture & Steal Away Medley
This medley will be performed by Black Voices and Town Hall Gospel Choir. Steal Away is a Negro Spiritual song of the African experience in the “New World”. It tells of the hope to be found in escaping to Jesus the spiritual Saviour in ironic reference to one of the first English slave ships, Jesus of Lubeck. The Overture is from “A Partial History of Black Music” – from “Handel’s Messiah: A Soulful Celebration” which is a critically acclaimed gospel album that reinterprets Handel’s oratorio Messiah. It received the 1992 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album.
‘This Is Our World’ by Alexander L’Estrange (2010)
“This is our world” will be sung by the World Music Youth Choir. It was composed for Sing Up in the Park, in 2010, where 750 children came together in Birmingham’s Canon Hill Park to enjoy an exciting day of family singing. The song celebrates our differences and re-stating the responsibilities that lie with the young to ensure we are more tolerant and respectful of each other and to eradicate barriers that hamper progress.
Pearl of the Orient by Lo Ta-Yu (1991)
This work will be sung by the Chinese Community Centre – Birmingham’s Wan Cheuk Choir. In this song, Ta-Yu sings praises to Hong Kong as a symbolic haven from the perils of the Pacific and implores Hong Kong not to lose its Chinese identity in the face of rapid modernization. Lo Ta-Yu’s lyrics captured the hearts of a generation, touching on issues of life, attitudes, social responsibility, and the political problems of both China and Taiwan.
Gong Xi Gong Xi
Gong Xi Gong Xi is a popular Mandarin Chinese song, which when translated into English means Congratulations, Congratulations. Because its Mandarin title is also a common Lunar New Year greeting and the song celebrates the arrival of spring, it quickly became associated almost exclusively with New Year celebrations and remains a part of the season’s musical canon. Chinese New Year’s Eve is when Chinese families gather for their annual reunion dinner. The tradition is to reconcile, forget all grudges and sincerely wish peace and happiness for everyone.
The Praises of the Eight Horses Naiman Sharag Arranged by Se Enkhbayar (1991)
This will be sung by a group of Chinese students from Birmingham’s Conservatoire. It is a Mongolian folk song which praises the legend of the Mongolian horse as a symbol of national pride. Ever since a 13th-century Mongol chronicle referred to the Eight chestnut horses of Chinggis Khan, these have become a symbol that embodies the Mongol’s love for their native language and culture. Mongolian songs often praise these horses – both real and legendary – and celebrate the close relationship that horses and humankind share.
Dwa Serduszka – trad, arranged by Stephen Hatfield, Excerpts from Ruciany Wianek – trad, arranged by Z. Gedl, Excerpts from Na Janickową Nutę – trad, arranged by J. Kołaczowski
These three traditional Polish folk songs will be performed by Echo Doliny Polish Folk Choir. Dwa Serduszka is traditional love song arranged for female voices. Ruciany Wianek is a medley of wedding folksongs and Na Janickową Nutę is a medley of folksongs from the Polish highlands. Folk music comes from the heart of any community. It explores the main themes of life, from love to war in simple yet beautiful ways.
Medley of 5 pieces, (1) O Lord Be Genereous To Us, (2) O Light Of My Eyes, (3) To The Beloved Lands, (4) As Long As I Protest My Love (5) The First Spring – Composition & Arrangement traditional by SHAAM (2004)
This medley of pieces will be performed by SHAAM, allowing us a privileged insight into the rich and diverse world of Arab sacred song. These classical arabic sets, focussing on Syrian music, were recorded by SHAAM in 2004 at the famous Abbey Road studios as they would at a Mawlid or gathering in remembrance and commemoration of God and His Last Prophet (SAW).
Sang Gachchhadwang
Sang Gachchhadwang is a traditional Vaidik Mantra Sankskrit chant about unity, sharing and common purpose. It will be performed by Sanchita Pal Ensemble. The lyrics (translated into English) are: May you be united, unified be your speech, unified be your understanding in the mind. May you share the resources and wealth just as the gods of yore, your predecessors shared the oblations offered in the fire sacrifice. Common be your prayer, common be your end, common be your purpose, common be your deliberation. Common be your desires, common be your hearts, unified be your intentions, perfect be the union amongst you.
Hai Ujjala Din
This a popular Bengali song which has been specially translated for Equinox into Hindi by Dr Krishna Kumar. Sanchita Pal Ensemble will sing this youthful and inspirational song promoting the values of friendship and mutual respect. It is a clarion call for everyone to join together and dream of a bright and excellent future. The song urges one to loosen all ties and seize the day, leading life with a renewed zest, enthusiasm and bond of friendship. This message of optimism is to be spread across the world, so that it is a better place to live.
