Transformations: the developments of relationships expressed through music

Pieces from the vocal repertoire have been selected for this program that, through the fusion of music and sacred text, poetry, and/or monologue, have sought to express diverse powerful connections that have been, and always will be, part of the human condition. Selections from Mozart???s Exsultate Jubilate display the powerful connection and evolution of a relationship between God and a believer struggling with his/her faith. In ???Fulget, Amica Dies??? (The friendly day shines forth), the text outlines how clouds, storms, and darkness have all fled as dawn approaches. The poet???s description of light overcoming darkness has a declarative tone, which is echoed in Mozart???s recitative setting. The push and pull of emphasis and poetic rhythm are perfectly combined with the rhythmic pulses in the recitative form, which together reveal the relationship between God and a devoted believer seeing light in what was once darkness. In ???Tu Virginum Corona??? (You, o crown of virgins) the relationship between God and the believer is further developed. The text is a prayer to Mary???a plea for comfort from feelings that make the heart sigh, or doubt. Although the dawn is approaching, the believer still has his/her doubts of God???s faithfulness. The repetition of the text throughout the aria reflects this believer???s varied emotions while remaining determined to feel entirely at peace, and Mozart beautifully reflects this throughout the aria by modulating to several related keys, displayed in the underlying chord progressions and in the accidentals of the melodic line. Finally, in ???Alleluja,??? the believer has finally found peace and feels God???s presence and faithfulness. Mozart reflects this final stage of the relationship through several intricate ornamented melodic lines. In addition, Mozart does not stray far from the tonic and the dominant of the original key in the base progression, signifying the believer???s conviction in his/her newly founded faith and peace in God???s promise. (See more in text.