Brahms Beethoven

Dates and Venues TBA

Counterpoint, directed by Nathaniel G. Lew

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Laura Markowitz, violin
John Dunlop, cello
Annemieke Spoelstra McLane, piano

Singers

TBA

Program

Johannes Brahms (1833-97), Four Romani Songs, op 112b (1891)

Himmel strahlt so helle
Rote Rosenknospen künden
Brennessel steht an Weges Rand
Liebe Schwalbe, kleine Schwalbe

Brahms, Romani Songs, op 103 (1888)

He, Zigeuner, greife in die Saiten
Hochgetürmte Rimaflut
Wißt ihr, wann mein Kindchen
Lieber Gott, du weißt
Brauner Bursche führt zum Tanze
Röslein dreie in der Reihe
Kommt dir manchmal in den Sinn
Horch, der Wind klagt in der Zweigen
Weit und breit schaut niemand mich an
Mond verhüllt sein Angesicht
Rote Abendwolken ziehn

Fanny Mendelssohn (1805-1847), Lied from Piano Trio, op 11 (1847)

Clara Schumann (1819-1896), Andante from Piano Trio in G Minor, op 17 (1846)

INTERMISSION

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827), Scottish Songs, compiled from op 108 and WoO 156-158 (1815-20), adapted by Nathaniel G. Lew

Up! Quit thy Bower
O Swiftly Glides the Bonny Boat
Duncan Gray
Behold, My Love, How Green the Groves
Bonnie Wee Thing
Ye Shepherds of This Pleasant Vale
Charlie is My Darling
From Thee, Eliza, I Must Go
Lochnagar
Womankind
The Quaker’s Wife
Highlander’s Lament
The Highland Watch
The Banner of Buccleugh
Come Fill, Fill, My Good Fellow
Auld Lang Syne

Translations

The sky is beaming, so bright and clear; even more brightly do your eyes beam at me. You, my rose, gaze into my eyes, so that I bless you in my happiness. The little bird’s song resounds with such loveliness, yet my darling sings a much sweeter song. You, my rose, gaze into my eyes, so that I bless you in my happiness. The sun kisses the entire world, yet your rosy lips kiss me even more warmly. You, my rose, gaze into my eyes, so that I bless you in my happiness.

Red rosebuds herald the arrival of Spring. Rose-red cheeks mean a maiden’s first love. Little red bird, fly off to the red rose! The lad is going to the rosy maiden to woo her!

Stinging nettles stand at the side of the road: envious and hate-filled people surround me, in town and country. I am envied, hated, slandered – and yet it brings me no sorrow, so long as my sweet darling remains true till death.

Dear swallow, little swallow, carry forth my little message! Fly up into the heavens, fly away quickly, fly off to my darling’s house! If someone asks you from whom you come, whose messenger you are – say that you come from a faithful heart that is almost dying from the pain of separation.

Hey, Gypsy, pluck your strings! Play the song of the unfaithful maiden! Let the strings weep and lament, mournful and despairing, Until hot tears flow down these cheeks!

High-towering River Rima, how murky you are; On the water’s edge I lament Loudly for you, my beloved! The waves flee, the waves stream by, roaring toward me on the shore; At the edge of the Rima let me Weep for her forever!

Do you know when my beloved is the fairest? When her sweet little mouth jests and laughs and kisses. Maiden, you are mine; dearly I kiss you, Dear heaven created you for me alone! Do you know when my beloved pleases me the best? When he enfolds me in his arms. My treasure, you are mine; dearly I kiss you, Dear heaven created you for me alone!

Dear God, you know how often I’ve been sorry That I once gave my beloved a little kiss. My heart told me that I had to kiss him; As long as I live, I’ll think about that first kiss. Dear God, you know how often in the silent night I’ve thought of my beloved in joy and sorrow. Love is sweet, even if regret is bitter; My poor heart will forever be true to him.

A swarthy young man leads to the dance His fair, blue-eyed maiden; His spurs strike boldly together, the csárdás melody begins. He kisses and hugs his sweet little dove, He whirls her around, leads her, cheers, and jumps; And he tosses three shining silver pieces Upon the cymbal so that it jingles.

Three little roses in a row, blossoming so red, that it is not forbidden for the boy to woo a maiden! Dear god, if it had been forbidden, the beautiful wide world would long have been no more; To remain single would be a sin! The loveliest village in Alföld is Kecskemét. There are many maidens who live there, pretty and nice! Friends, choose a little bride there. Ask for her hand and build your house and drain the cup of happiness!

Do you sometimes remember, my sweet love, what you once swore to me with a sacred vow? Do not deceive me, do not leave me — You do not know how much I love you! If you loved me as I love you, God’s favour would stream down upon you!

Hark, the wind laments in the branches, mournful and soft; Sweet love, we must part: good night. Ah, how gladly I rested in your arms, But the hour of parting is approaching, may God protect you. Dark is the night: not even a small star gives any light. Sweet love, trust in God and do not weep; If our dear God one day leads me back to you, we will be united forever in love’s bliss.

Far and wide, no one looks at me, and if they hate me, what is it to me? Only my beloved, who will love me forever, shall kiss me, hold me, and embrace me for eternity. No star gleams in the dark night; No flower radiates fragrant splendour at me. To me, your eyes are starlight flowers That shine on me so kindly and that blossom for me alone.

The moon is veiling her face, sweet love; I am not angry with you. Were I to afflict you with my anger, tell me, how could I then love you? My heart blazes feverishly for you, even if no tongue confesses to it, One moment left absurd by its intoxication, Another moment, as gentle and earnest as a little dove.

Red evening clouds drift across the heavens; Full of longing for you, my love, my heart burns; The sky blazes in glowing splendour, And I dream day and night Of my sweet beloved alone.

Bios

Founded by legendary choral director and arranger Robert De Cormier, and based in Montpelier, Vermont, Counterpoint is dedicated to performing choral chamber music and engaging with student musicians in Vermont and beyond. Praised for “clarity, skill” and “sophisticated musical expressiveness,” we present concerts throughout Vermont and the surrounding region. Counterpoint has recorded seven CDs with Albany Records and has released four further CDs independently. Our repertory ranges all over the map, including folksongs from around the world, African American spirituals, sacred music of many traditions, and concert works by classical composers of the past and our own age. Artistic Director Nathaniel G. Lew holds degrees in music from Yale, Cambridge, and the University of California, Berkeley. He currently serves as Professor of Music and Director of the Honors Program at St. Michael’s College in Colchester, Vermont.

Originally from Pittsburgh, violinist Laura Markowitz has lived in Vermont since the early 90s. She is a member of the Vermont Symphony Orchestra and other ensembles. After getting her bachelor’s from Indiana University, she taught at Kinhaven Music School, thus discovering Vermont! Her professional career has included the Florida Orchestra, the Ohio Chamber Orchestra, and the Santiago Philharmonic (Chile). An avid fiddler in Swedish and Celtic styles, she is a member of the band Symphony Reel, which plays for children across the state through the VSO’s Symphony Kids program.

Cellist John Dunlop has been performing in the Northeast for over twenty years as principal cellist with the Vermont Symphony, Burlington Chamber Orchestra, Opera North, and other ensembles. He has performed as soloist with both the VSO and BCO, as well as many chamber music performances with notable area musicians. He studied at Oberlin Conservatory and the San Francisco Conservatory, and has played in master classes for Yo Yo Ma and others. John has also composed and recorded several award-winning film soundtracks for short films, including a documentary on childhood hunger in Vermont, where he called on his skills as a guitarist and bouzouki player in addition to cello. He has worked with Trey Anastasio of Phish on many of his solo albums. John teaches at Dartmouth and privately in Richmond, Vermont.

Pianist Annemieke McLane was born in the Netherlands and has performed in the Netherlands, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and United States. She holds degrees in Performance and Pedagogy from the Conservatory of Zwolle, where she received the Student of the Year award for “great intelligence in pedagogy and sensitivity as a performer in well-balanced programs.” She won the National Young Music Talent (Netherlands) for piano accompaniment, praised for her touch and coloring, and was finalist at the international Nadia and Lili Boulanger competition. She has been staff accompanist at the Boston Conservatory and instructor and collaborative pianist at Saint Michael’s College. She is pianist for the Handel Society of Dartmouth College and the Dartmouth Theater Department. In addition to her solo and chamber music career, she plays in a duo with her husband, accordionist Jeremiah McLane.

Rehearsal space for Counterpoint is generously provided by the Monteverdi Music School, 46 Barre Street, Montpelier.