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MUSIKANTEN

Kerry Krebill, Director

O God, Come To My Assistance

Sacred Choral Music of Robert Evett

PRIME

1. O God, come to my assistance [0:48]

2. Hymn: Now that the daylight fills the sky [2:36]

3. Antiphon; Psalm 23: The Lord is my shepherd [4:21]

4. Blessing [0:36]

WHAT AN ATTRACTIVE THING IS JUDGMENT

5. What an attractive thing is judgment [0:56]

6. O Son, help your father in his old age [1:38]

7. Whoever honors his father atones for sin [0:58]

PROPERS FOR THE SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT (Keith Reas, organ)

8. Gradual: Relieve the troubles of my heart [1:00]

9. Tract: Give thanks to the Lord [1:19]

PROPERS FOR THE FIRST MASS OF CHRISTMAS (Keith Reas, organ)

10. Gradual: Yours is princely power [1:32]

11. Alleluia [2:04]

VESPERS (Keith Reas, organ)

12. O God, come to my assistance [0:47]

13. Antiphon; Psalm 109: The Lord said to my Lord [4:03]

14. Antiphon; Psalm 112: Praise, you servants of the Lord [4:40]

15. Antiphon; Psalm 147: Glorify the Lord, O Jerusalem [4:29]

16. Chapter: Who shall find a valiant woman? [0:43]

17. Hymn: The praises of that saint we sing [2:36]

18. Versicle and Response: Grace is poured out [0:23]

19. Antiphon; Magnificat [4:04]

FOUR MARIAN ANTIPHONS

20. Alma redemptoris mater [1:48]

21. Ave, Regina coelorum [2:30]

22. Regina coeli [0:50]

23. Salve Regina [2:12]

COMPLINE (Gerald A. Stacy, cantor)

24. Blessing; short lesson: May the Almighty Lord [0:52]

25. I confess to Almighty God [2:13]

26. Absolution; O God, come to my assistance [1:27]

27. Antiphon: Have mercy O Lord [0:20]

28. Psalm 4: When I call answer me, O my just God [2:58]

29. Psalm 90: You who dwell in the shelter of the Most High [6:35]

30. Psalm 133: Come bless the Lord [1:37]

31. Antiphon: Have mercy .... [0:23]

32. Hymn: To Thee before the close of day [2:16]

33. Antiphon; Nunc dimittis [3:44]

TOTAL TIME = 69:38

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Recorded October 1, 2, 3 and 15, 2000 at Bradley Hills Presbyterian Church, Bethesda, MD.

Recording Engineer: MARK HUFFMAN. Digital Editing and Mastering: CURT WITTIG.

Musikanten extends sincere thanks to MICHAEL DONALDSON for the use of his hand-copied performing editions of Prime, Compline and What an Attractive Thing is Judgment; our grateful appreciation to AMY ANTONELLI for sharing her dissertation materials and scores. This project is supported in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Cover art: stained glass window at Bradley Hills Presbyterian Church, Richard Avidon, artist, photographed by Marilyn Jacox. .

2001 MUSIKANTEN, Inc., 9307 Wadsworth Drive, Bethesda MD 20817-2413 USA.

N.B. !! We are required to display the NEA logo [sample copies enclosed -- also available digitally from the NEA Office of Communications at 202/682-5570.]

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COVER: one or both or part of one of the new stained glass windows at BHPC [see color copies]

TITLE: O God, Come to My Assistance

Sacred Choral Music of Robert Evett

Musikanten, Kerry Krebill, conductor

Keith Reas, organ

FEATURING: The Liturgical Offices of Prime, Vespers and Compline; Four Marian Antiphons

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LINER NOTES:

Prime (1968)

In honor of Saint James the Less

and in memory of James Orr (October 1, 1917 - April 10, 1943)

Deus in Adjutorium

O God, come to my assistance. O Lord, make haste to help me. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Alleluia.

Hymn: Jam lucis orto sidere

1. Now that the daylight fills the sky, we lift our hearts to God on high; that he, in all we do or say, would keep us free from harm today.

2. Would guard our hearts and tongues from strife; from anger's din would hide our life; from evil sights would turn our eyes; would close our ears to vanities.

3. So we, when this new day is gone and night in turn is drawing on, with conscience by the world unstained shall praise his name for victory gained.

4. To God the Father and the Son and Holy Spirit, three in one, be endless glory, as before the world began, so evermore. Amen.

Antiphon and Psalm 23: Dominus regit me

The Lord makes me lie down in green pastures. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; he restoreth my soul. He leads me on paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley and the shadow of death I fear no evil for thou art with me. Thy rod and they staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies. Thou annointest my head with oil, my cup overfloweth. Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Glory be ... Antiphon

Blessing

May the Lord bless us and defend us from all evil, and bring us to life everlasting, and may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

What An Attractive Thing is Judgment (1971)

I. What an attractive thing is judgment in gray-haired men, and for the aged to possess good counsel! How attractive is wisdom in the aged and understanding and counsel in honorable men. Rich experience is the crown of the aged, and their boast is the fear of the Lord.

-Sirach 25:4-6

II. O son, help your father in his old age, and do not grieve him as long as he lives; even if he is lacking in forbearance, in all your strength, do not despise him. For kindness to a father will not be forgotten. In the day of your affliction, it will be remembered.

-Sirach 3:12-15

III. Whoever honors his father atones for sins, and who glorifies his mother is like one who lays up treasure. Whoever honors his father will be gladdened by his own children, and when he prays he will be heard. Whoever glorifies his father will have long life, and whoever obeys the Lord will refresh his mother. Honor your father in word and deed, that a blessing from him may fall upon you.

-Sirach 3:3-8

Propers of the Mass: Second Sunday in Lent (pub. 1967)

Gradual: Relieve the troubles of my heart and bring me out of my distress, O Lord. Put an end to my affliction and my suffering, and take away all my sins.

-Psalm 24:17-18

Tract: Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his kindness endures forever. Who can tell the mighty deeds of the Lord, or proclaim all his praises? Happy are those who observe what is right, who do always what is just. Remember us, O Lord, as you favor your people; visit us with your saving help.

-Psalm 105:1-4

Propers of the Mass: First Mass of Christmas (pub. 1967)

Gradual: Yours is princely power in the day of your birth in holy splendor; before the daystar, I have begotten you. The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit at my right hand, till I make your enemies your footstool."

-Psalm 109:3,1

Alleluia: Alleluia. The Lord said to me, "You are my son: this day I have begotten you."

-Psalm 2:7

Vespers (1967)

In honor of St. Margaret of Scotland

Commissioned by the Reston Virginia Foundation for Community Programs

on the occasion of the First Anniversary of the Dedication of Reston, May, 1967

Deus in Adjutorium

O God, come to my assistance. O Lord, make haste to help me. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as is was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Alleluia.

Antiphon and Psalm 109: Dixit Dominus

While the King was at his repose, my spikenard sent forth the odor of sweetness. The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit at my right hand till I make your enemies your footstool." The scepter of your power the Lord will stretch forth from Sion: "Rule in the midst of your enemies. Yours is princely power in the day of your birth in holy splendor; before the day-star, like the dew have I begotten you." The Lord has sworn, and he will not repent: "You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchisedech." The Lord is at your right hand; he will crush kings in the day of his wrath. He will do judgment on the nations heaping up corpses; he will crush heads over the wide earth. From the brook by the wayside he will drink; therefore will he lift up his head. Glory be ... Antiphon

Antiphon and Psalm 112: Laudate Pueri

We will run after you, to the odor of your ointments; young maidens have loved you exceedingly. Praise, you servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord. Blessed be the name of the Lord both now and forever. From the rising to the setting of the sun is the name of the Lord to be praised. High above all nations is the Lord, above the heavens is his glory. Who is like the Lord, our God who is enthroned on high and looks upon the heavens and the earth below? He raises up the lowly from the dust; from the dunghill he lifts up the poor to seat them with the princes of his own people. He establishes in her home the barren wife as the joyful mother of children. Glory be ... Antiphon

Antiphon and Psalm 147: Lauda Jerusalem

This one is beautiful among the daughters of Jerusalem. Glorify the Lord, O Jerusalem; praise your God, O Sion. For he has strengthened the bars of your gates; he has blessed your children within you. He sends forth his command to the earth; swiftly runs his word! He spreads snow like wool; frost he strews like ashes. He scatters his hail like crumbs; before his cold the waters freeze. He sends his word and melts them; he lets his breeze blow and the waters run. He has proclaimed his word to Jacob, his statutes and ordinances to Israel. He has not done this for any other nation; his ordinances he has not made known to them. Glory be ... Antiphon

Chapter

Who shall find a valiant woman? Far and from the uttermost coasts is the price of her. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he shall have no need of spoils. Thanks be to God.

-Proverbs 31:10-11

Hymn: Fortem virili Pectore

1. The praises of that saint we sing to whom all lands their tribute bring; who with indomitable heart bore throughout life true women's part.

2. Restraining every froward sense by gentle bonds of abstinence, with prayer her hungry soul she fed, and thus to heav'nly joys hath sped.

3. King Christ, from whom all virtue springs, who only doeth wondrous things, as now to thee she kneels in prayer, in mercy our petitions hear.

4. To God the Father and the Son and Holy Spirit, three in one, be endless glory as before the world began, forevermore. Amen.

Versicle and Response

Grace is poured out upon your lips. Thus God has blessed you forever.

Antiphon and Magnificat

She opens her hand to the needy and stretches out her hand to the poor, and has not eaten her bread idle. My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, because he has regarded the lowliness of his handmaid. For behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed because he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name; and his mercy is from generation to generation toward those who fear him. He has shown might with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart. He has put down the mighty from their throne and has exalted the lowly. The hungry he has filled with good things and the rich he has sent empty away. He has given help to Israel his servant, mindful of his mercy, as he promised our fathers, toward Abraham and his descendants forever. Glory be ... Antiphon

Four Marian Antiphons (1971)

Alma redemptoris mater Loving Mother of the Redeemer,

quae pervia coeli porta manes Thou who remainest the accessible Portal of Heaven

et stella maris, succure cadenti and Star of the Sea,

surgere qui curat populo; Give aid to a falling people that strives to rise;

Tu quae genuisti natura mirante, O Thou who begot thy holy Creator,

tuum sanctum Genitorum, while all Nature marvelled,

Virgo prius et posterius, Virgin before and after receiving

Gabrielis ab ore sumens illud Ave, that "Ave" from the mouth of Gabriel,

peccatorum miserere. Have mercy on sinners.

Ave, Regina coelorum, Hail, Queen of Heaven!

Ave, Domina Angelorum: Hail, Mistress of the Angels!

Salve radix, salve porta, Hail, root! Hail, portal, from which

Ex qua mundo lux est orta: the light for the world has arisen.

Gaude virgo gloriosa, Rejoice, glorious Virgin,

Super omnes speciosa, Beautiful above all others.

Vale, O valde decora, Farewell, most gracious,

et pro nobis Christum exora. And pray for us to Christ.

Regina coeli laetare, alleluia: Queen of Heaven, rejoice, alleluia:

Quia quem meruisti portare, alleluia, For he whom you were worthy to bear,alleluia,

Resurrexit, sicut dixit, alleluia. He is risen, as he said, alleluia.

Ora pro nobis Deum, alleluia. Pray for us to God, alleluia.

Salve Regina, mater misericordiae: Hail, Queen, Mother of Mercy!

Vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra, salve. Our life, our sweetness and our hope, hail!

Ad te clamamus, exsules filii Evae. To thee we cry, exiled children of Eve,

Ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes, To thee we sigh, groaning and weeping

in hac lacrimarum valle. in this vale of tears.

Eja, ergo, Advocata nostra, Hasten, therefore, our Advocate,

illos tuos misericordes oculos and turn thy merciful eyes

ad nos converte. toward us.

Et Jesum, benedictum fructum ventris tui, And show to us Jesus, the blessed fruit

nobis post hoc exilium ostende. of thy womb, after this exile.

O clemens, O pia, O dulcis Virgo Maria. O merciful, O pious, O sweet Virgin Mary.

The Liturgical Office of Compline (1965)

To Don Haines Guidotti and the Madison [VA] Madrigal Singers

Blessing

May the almighty Lord grant us a peaceful night and a perfect end. Amen.

Short Lesson

Be somber, be watchful, for your adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion, goes about seeking someone to devour; resist him steadfast in the word. Thanks be to God. Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

Confiteor

I confess to almighty God, to blessed Mary ever Virgin, to blessed Michael the archangel, to blessed John the Baptist, to the holy apostles Peter and Paul and to all the saints: that I have sinned exceedingly, in thought, word and deed, through my fault, through my most grievous fault; therefore, I beseech the blessed Mary ever Virgin, blessed Michael the archangel, blessed John the Baptist, the holy apostles Peter and Paul and all the saints to pray to the Lord our God for me.

Absolution

May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins and lead us to life everlasting. Amen.

May the almighty and merciful Lord grant us pardon, absolution, and remission of our sins. Amen. Convert us O God our savior, and turn away your anger from us.

Deus in Adjutorium

Antiphon

Have mercy O Lord on me, and hear my prayer.

Psalm 4

When I call answer me, O my just God; you who relieve me when I am in distress, have pity on me and hear my prayer. Men of rank, how long will you be dull of heart? Why do you love what is vain and seek after falsehood? Know that the Lord does wonders for his faithful one; the Lord will hear me when I call upon him. Tremble and sin not; reflect upon your beds in silence. Offer just sacrifices and trust in the Lord. Many say: "O that we might see better times!" O Lord, let the light of your countenance shine upon us. You put gladness into my heart, more than when grain and wine abound. As soon as I lie down I fall peacefully asleep. For you alone, O Lord, bring security to our dwelling. Glory be ....

Psalm 90

You who dwell in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.” For he will rescue you from the snare of the fowler, from the destroying pestilence. With his pinions he shall cover you, and under his wings you shall take refuge; his faithfulness is a buckler and a shield. You shall not fear the terror of the night nor the arrow that flies by day, not the pestilence that roams in darkness nor the devastating plague of noon. Though a thousand fall at your side, ten thousand at your right side, near you it shall not come. Rather with your eyes shall you behold and see the requital of the wicked, because you have made the Lord your refuge; you have made the Most High your stronghold. No evil shall befall you, nor shall affliction come near your tent, for to his angels he has given command about you, that they guard you in all your ways. Upon their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone. You shall tread upon the asp and the viper; you shall trample down the lion and the dragon. Because he clings to me, I will deliver him; I will set him on high because he acknowledges my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in distress; I will deliver him and glorify him; with length of days I will gratify him and show him my salvation. Glory be ....

Psalm 133

Come bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord, who stand in the house of the Lord during the hours of night. Lift up your hands toward the sanctuary and bless the Lord. May the Lord bless you from Sion, the maker of heaven and earth. Glory be ....

Antiphon

Have mercy O Lord on me, and hear my prayer.

Hymn: Te lucis ante terminum

1. To Thee before the close of day, creator of the world, we pray that, with Thy wonted favor, Thou wouldst be our guard and keeper now. Amen.

2. From evil dreams defend our eyes, from nightly fears and fantasies. Tread underfoot our ghostly foe that no pollution we may know. Amen.

3. O Father, grant that this be done through Jesus Christ Thy only Son, who with the Holy Ghost and Thee shall live and reign eternally. Amen.

Antiphon and Nunc dimittis

Protect us, Lord, while we are awake and safeguard us while we sleep, that we may keep watch with Christ and rest in peace. Now, Lord, you may dismiss your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation which you have set before all the nations as a light of revelation to the Gentiles and the glory of your people Israel. Glory be ... Antiphon

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MUSIKANTEN

Kerry Krebill, Music Director

soprano alto tenor bass

Leslie H. MacKnight Sue McKinney Gerald A. Stacy Barry Baltzley

Carol Van Alstyne McLeod Martha Wallace Robert E. Worst Richard Rice

Greta Getlein Marjorie Bunday R. Gregory Capaldini Jeffrey B. MacKnight

Ellen Rathfon Martha Jacoby Krieger David Sulser Bobb Robinson

Laura Abbott Kathryn Schultz

Mary Hodapp

Composer Robert Evett (1922-1975) was born in Colorado and studied with Roy Harris in Colorado Springs from 1941 to 1947, after which he served until 1950 as chairman of the music department of the Washington [DC] Institute of Contemporary Arts. He attended the Julliard School in 1951-52, studying with Vincent Persichetti, then returned to Washington where he remained until his death. His involvement with musical life in Washington led to commissions from the Pan-American Union, the National Symphony, Georgetown University and the Composer's Forum for Catholic Worship. He was also an accomplished writer, serving as editor of the "Arts and Letters" section of the Atlantic Monthly, book editor and music critic for the New Republic for nearly twenty years, contributing critic of books and music for the Washington Star from 1961 to 1975 and its book editor from 1970 to 1975. Dr. Amy Antonelli, Assistant Dean of the School of Music at the Catholic University of America, wrote in her 1984 doctoral dissertation on Mr. Evett:

Robert Evett (1922-1975) was a highly esteemed American composer whose works were performed regularly during the 26 years that he lived and worked in Washington DC. He was prolific, numbering among his works three symphonies, six piano sonatas, seven concertos, chamber music for various combinations and many choral works ... He was known nationally and his works were commissioned with frequency by major local arts organizations. He was one of only two Washington composers chosen to create works for the United States Bicentennial Celebration. In addition, he was nominated for a Pulitzer prize in composition by Washington's most respected music critics Paul Hume and Irving Lowe ... As eloquent with words as he was with music, it was literary editing and writing that financially sustained him. Here too, he reached the highest levels of his craft ... [H]e received a second Pulizter prize nomination for literary commentary ... Evett contributed significantly to the richness and diversity of 20th century music in America and to the cultural life of Washington in particular.

Musikanten was founded in June of 1979 as a lab chorus for the Masters degree work of director Kerry Krebill. It is the oldest choral chamber ensemble in the nation's capital, with nearly a thousand appearances, including concerts at the National Gallery of Art, the National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian galleries, the Kennedy Center, and performances on concert series at embassies, churches, universities, museums and historic homes throughout the Washington DC area. The group has also travelled to Richmond, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Annapolis and many Eastern Shore venues; members of Musikanten have performed on ten European tours since 1990, including Maestra Krebill's 1997 50th birthday celebration singing two SRO performances of the Monteverdi Vespers in Venice. Their first three solo recordings, in 1990, 1993 and 1997, received international acclaim; Musikanten Sings Music of Russell Woollen was nominated for the 1991 Choral CD of the Year by Chorus! magazine, and has been featured on the national radio program "The First Art." Awards won by Musikanten include the 1992 Louise Goucher National Memorial Prize for a concert of Renaissance madrigals, Chorus America's American Performing Works grants and the National Endowment's Choruses grants and Heritage and Preservation grant. The ensemble was the first American choir to perform on the Krakow Music Festival (1990), was invited to sing the closing services for the 30th annual Bruges Festival van Vlaanderen (1993) and received the Alexander Nevsky Award of Excellence from St. Petersburg Conservatory (1995).

A native of Keokuk, Iowa, Music Director Kerry Krebill is well-known to Washington DC classical music audiences as conductor of both the professional choral chamber ensemble Musikanten and the Alexandria Choral Society, a 45-voice chorus known for its unusual programming and special commitment to American composers. With these ensembles she has collaborated over the years with other Washington area artists such as dancer Liz Lerman, story-teller Jon Spelman, the Wolf Trap Opera Company, Opera Americana, MetroStage, the National Gallery Orchestra and the Washington, Fairfax and Alexandria Symphony Orchestras. Her singers made their National Symphony Orchestra debut with Rosemary Clooney at the Kennedy Center in 1997. The championing of local composers, as well as the commissioning of new works, has been a hallmark of her conducting career.

Ms. Krebill holds a music education degree from Drake University and a Masters in Choral Conducting from Catholic University. A sought-after guest conductor and adjudicator, she was conductor-in-residence at the Salzburg Festival of Sacred Choral Music in the Mozartjahr. In March of 1997 she conducted soloists, orchestra and choir in performances of Monteverdi's I Vespri della Beata Vergine in Venice Italy, returning in 2000 to lead I Vespri of Francesco Cavalli in collaboration with the early Baroque orchestra Accademia di San Rocco. She was guest conductor of the acclaimed professional chamber choir the Santa Fe Desert Chorale for six sold-out performances in July and August, 1998.

Originally from New York state, Keith Reas earned degrees in organ from the Oberlin College Conservatory of Music, the University of Oregon and the Eastman School. During his 7-year tenure as Director of Music at the First United Methodist Church in Phoenix, Dr. Reas became the first organist to be accepted for inclusion on the artist roster of the Arizona Commission on the Arts. He was awarded first prize in the 1985 International Organ Playing Competition in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and has performed as organist, harpsichordist or conductor in more than a dozen states, England and Italy, including appearances with the Oregon Bach Festival, the Eugene [OR] Symphony, the Phoenix Bach Choir and the Washington Bach Consort. Currently residing in Washington DC, Dr. Reas is Director of Music for St. Mark's Episcopal Church on Capitol Hill and Assistant Director and Accompanist for the Alexandria [VA] Choral Society.