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About the Composer
Timothy C. Takach
Lorelei Ensemble
There Is No Rose
Featuring two soloists singing exclusively to Latin words; the rest of the voices provide the English and join in the Latin for rich refrain-like textures.
SSAA, S Duet a cappella
Timothy C. Takach has written an exquisite setting of the familiar 15th century Marian macaronic Christmas text. This deeply expressive music features two solo sopranos along with the ensemble voices. The two soloists sing exclusively the Latin words; the rest of the voices provide the English and join in the Latin for rich refrain-like textures.
Composer’s Notes
There is a mystery wrapped up in the birth of Jesus Christ, and in this well-known poem the mystery is traced back to its source, the woman who gave birth to the child, Mary. The rose is an apt metaphor for the birth, it’s petals folded layer upon layer, provoking us to wonder what’s at the core, what’s being protected until it blooms. In this setting, the soprano duet provides a backdrop against which the strophic musical material unfolds (or blooms), at first in once voice, then two, three, four, and finally five. The harmonic language at first is strange and mysterious, but through repetition becomes familiar and comforting.
– Timothy Takach
Text
There is no rose of such virtue
As is the rose that bare Jesu;
Alleluia.
For in this rose contained was
Heaven and earth in little space;
Res miranda.
(Thing of Wonder)
By that rose we may well see
That He is God in persons three,
Pares forma.
(Equal)
The angels sungen the shepherds to:
Gloria in excelsis Deo:
Gaudeamus.
(Let us rejoice.)
Now leave we all this worldly mirth
And follow we this joyful birth;
Transeamus.
(Let us go.)
– Anonymous, ca. 1420
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