Watervliet parish hosts musical premiere Local musicians, poet collaborate

When asked to compose an Advent piece for the Aoede Consort, a local sacred music group, Thomas Savoy's thoughts turned to the various annunciations that surround the season: Zechariah hears that his barren wife Elizabeth is to bear a son and he is to be named John; Mary hears the angel Gabriel tell her she has been chosen to mother the Son of God; at Jesus' presentation in the temple, Mary and Joseph hear Simeon declare that God's word has been fulfilled.

Each of these epiphanies is the basis of Mr. Savoy's new composition for voice and organ, "Canticles for Advent: The Season of the Now." It will premiere Dec. 5 at St. Patrick's Church in Watervliet, a worship site of Immaculate Heart of Mary parish, and be performed within the context of a traditional Advent service of Carols and Lessons. Words to notes

To give flesh to this theme, Mr. Savoy asked local teacher, theologian, author and poet Bertrand Fay to write the text.

The Aoede Consort performs and works to preserve sacred music both ancient and new. Last Advent, the ensemble performed the work called "The Joseph Triptych," which Thomas Savoy developed from his master's thesis on the historical Joseph. "That piece was so successful," said Dan Foster, Consort artistic director, "that we decided to commission Mr. Savoy to write a piece just for us."

Mr. Savoy is a well-known area organist, award-winning composer, and arranger of sacred and popular music. He is founder and director emeritus of the New York Catholic Chorale based at Siena College in Loudonville. He currently serves as music director at Blessed Sacrament Church in Albany and directs Albany's Fort Orange Singers.

Luke's prayers
Mr. Fay takes the three principal canticles prayed daily in the Liturgy of the Hours - Benedictus, Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis - and gives them an original translation from the Latin. He said he also places "some original moments in them." Preceding each choral canticle are brief narratives for soloists who introduce the biblical characters and settings.

Choral paeans frame the work and express the context for the second part of the title: "The Season of the Now." Mr. Fay paraphrases verses from the biblical book of Revelation to convey the message that the faithful await the second coming of Christ while celebrating now, in word and sacrament, God's eternal presence.

He explained that the season evokes a spirit of awe and of readiness, "captured in the Advent Gospel readings about the apocalyptic ending of the world and the manifestation of God's kingdom."

Mr. Savoy said he is excited to be contributing original works to the treasury of sacred music.

"It is our obligation," he remarked, "to portray different biblical characters and different theological insights in a way that can give them a new look or present them in contemporary language to try to give people a new appreciation of the characters."

Voices upward
The composer believes that all who attend the premiere on Dec. 5 will have a unique choral experience in a beautiful church environment. Mr. Savoy describes the Aoede Consort as a "superlative choral group."

Further, he added, "There is nothing that beats the premiere of music set by two living artists who are from here."

Mr. Foster said the work shows amazing variety.

"I see it as a piece that paints the poetic images very beautifully and profoundly with sections of extremely diverse music. There's solo writing. There's incredibly beautiful writing for organ and choir.

"The poet has given a voice to some biblical characters and Tom has painted those voices in music."

"We fully hope and expect," Mr. Foster said, "that the service will enrich people's Advent meditations and their prayer life and that these pieces will give them a new way of thinking about the traditional canticles that we all know and love."

Immaculate Heart of Mary parish in Watervliet is listed as a co-commissioner. Mr. Foster cites, with gratitude, the parish's generosity in hosting the Aoede Consort's rehearsals and performances and in putting on the post-concert receptions. He said, "We collaborate on these events and we find them mutually enriching."

(Read more about the works of Thomas Savoy and the Aoede Consort at their websites: www.savoymusic.net and www.aoedeconsort.org.)

Aoede Consort, under the artistic direction of Dan Foster, will present the premiere of "Canticles for Advent: The Season of the Now" Dec. 5, 7 p.m., at St. Patrick's Church in Watervliet.

Meet the composer, Thomas Savoy, and the librettist, Bertrand Fay, at 6:15 p.m. There will be a free will offering ($20 suggested).

(12-03-09)