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https://uuma.zoom.us/j/94973561172/
Meeting ID: 9497 3561 172

Les sept paroles du Christ

Théodore Dubois (1837-1924)

Personnel

• TJ Rufo-Curran, Conductor
• Geoffrey Wieting, Organ
• Rose Hegele, Soprano
• Ben Doyle and Nate Bear, Tenors
• Nathan Savant, Baritone
• Alan Hawryluk, Violin I
• Sophia Bernitz, Violin II
• Timothy Paek, Cello

Movements

1. Introduction, Ms. Hegele

O ye who travel upon the highway, hearken to me, and behold me: was ever sorrow like unto my sorrow? For the Lord Almighty hath dealt bitterly with me. Call me now no more Naomi, from today call me Mara.

2. First Word, Mr. Doyle and Mr. Savant

Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. 

And the people clamored: He is death-guilty; take him, let us crucify him! Be his blood on us, and on our children!

Then they did crucify Jesus, and the two thieves, one at His right hand, the other at His left hand.

3. Second Word, Mr. Bear and Mr. Savant

Verily, thou shalt be in Paradise today with me. Amen, so I tell thee. 

Hear me, O Lord, and remember me, when Thou comest into Thy kingdom.

4. Third Word, Ms. Hegele, Mr. Doyle and Mr. Savant

See, O woman! Here behold thy Son beloved.

See your mother, bowed in anguish. Who beside the cross doth languish, where on high her son is borne; is there mortal, who not feeleth to behold her where she kneeleth, so woeful, and all forlorn?

5. Fourth Word, Mr. Savant

God, my Father, why hast Thou forsaken me?

All those who were my friends, all have now forsaken me, and they that hate me do now prevail against me; and he whom I have cherished, he hath betrayed me.

Even the vine that I have chosen, and that I have planted: wherefore art thou now so strangely turned into bitterness, that I by thee am crucified?

6. Fifth Word, Mr. Doyle and Mr. Savant

I am athirst!

And the Jews then passing by him, all did rail upon him, and wagging their heads at him, they said unto him: Ah! Thou wouldst fain destroy the temple, if thou be Jesus, Son of the Father, now from the cross descend thou, that we behold it, and believe on thee when we behold it. If thou art king over Israel, save thyself, thee!

7. Sixth Word, Mr. Bear

Father, into Thy hands I commend my soul. 

For Thou art my God and my Father; Thou art my Saviour. Into Thy hands I commend my soul.

8. Seventh Word, Ms. Hegele, Mr. Doyle and Mr. Savant

And with a loud voice Jesus cried, exclaiming: It is finished!

And He did bow His head, and rendered up His spirit. 

And it was about the sixth hour; and the sun was darkened, and darkness covered the earth, until about the ninth hour; and the veil of the temple was rent, and all the earth did quake; and the rocks were rent, and all the graves were opened wide. 

Prayer: Christ, we do adore Thee, and we do praise Thee forever; for on the holy cross hast thou the world from sin redeemed.

Composer Biography

Clément François Théodore Dubois was born on August 24, 1837 in Rosnay, France, and began his musical studies with Louis Fanart, choirmaster at the nearby Reims Cathedral. This connection ultimately led to his admission to the Paris Conservatoire. In 1861, he won the Prix de Rome and spent several years studying in the Eternal City. He returned to Paris in 1866 and became choirmaster at Sainte-Clotilde, where he had previously studied organ under César Franck. Several years later, Dubois became a faculty member at the Conservatoire and was a founding member of the Société nationale de musique (created to promote French music after the Franco-Prussian war). He replaced Saint-Saëns as organist at the Madeleine in 1877, where he worked alongside choirmaster Gabriel Fauré. Dubois later became director of the Conservatoire, and was elected to the Académie de Beaux-Arts in 1894. His public faithfulness to tradition ultimately led to an “early” retirement from the Conservatoire, though he remained active on the Parisian music scene until his death in 1924.

Program Notes

Les sept paroles du Christ premiered on Good Friday in 1867 at Sainte-Clotilde church in Paris. The work was written for organ and a small orchestra: string quartet, one flute, one clarinet, one oboe, one bassoon, one horn, three trombones, harp, and timpani. For this morning’s performance, the organ will replace all but the string parts. The oratorio was well-received by critics and the public, and it is considered one of the major works of 19th century French music. In modern times, the piece is often performed during Holy Week in a North American context, especially in the Canadian province of Québec. Dubois dedicated the piece to the curé of the Madeleine, Jean-Gaspard Deguery, who was executed during the Franco-Prussian war.