There were some very successful 'runs through' of exam programmes today, but there are a few folk still suffering, and it looks as though there will be at least 2 withdrawals from illness, Oh dear this time of year is a rough one for singing deadlines !
I was teaching one singer, a low alto - one of those gold dust type voices which are as rare as hen's teeth. M is on track for her Recital certificate, which is a new exam from Trinity Guildhall, and aimed at those who love singing and can put together a challenging but enjoyable short recital, perform it to the best of their ability and not worry about the horrid stuff! ie Aural and Sight Singing ! I would not necessarily choose for this to be taken by anyone who had not completed a high grade which includes all the hard stuff, but it is a joy to have an exam which is perfect for the more mature singer, who can perform, entertain and sustain a 20 minute recital.
We covered some great music, from 'Vergin tutto amor' by Durante, via Schubert's divine 'An die Musik', whilst passing through some French opera, Mendelssohn oratorio and English Song until landing at the feet of The Duchesses Song from The Gondoliers.
The English song is 'O Men from the Fields' by Hamilton Harty. It is just beautiful, a real cradle song with a rolling and peaceful rhythm. In my youth it was very often chosen by music festivals as a Contralto set piece, and was always popular with competitors. Later I used it as a lovely 'down' moment in a section of a recital which needed a small oasis of calm inbetween more dramatic or lively songs, and it was ever loved by audiences.
I remembered today how very Christmassy it is, I had forgotten, in the frenzy of talking technique, and making sure all the 'eh' vowels were perfectly placed, how the gentle and seasonal simplicity of music and poetry spoke so clearly of the coming celebration of Christmas.
Enjoy the poem depicting the shepherds visiting the new born babe in the manger.
O men from the fields,
Come gently within,
Tread softly, softly,
O men, coming in...
[For]1 [m'mhurnin]2 is going
From me and from you
Where Mary will fold him
With mantle of blue,
From reek of the smoke
And cold of the floor
And peering of things
Across the half-door.
O men from the fields,
Softly, softly come through;
Mary puts round him
Her mantle of blue.
* * * * * * * *
(mavourneen, mavournin [məˈvʊəniːn]
Irish for 'my darling'
I've studied this song in Ireland, and originally met with it at Christmas time. However, I've since been told that its not a Christmas song at all. The mother is mourning a child who has died - the men from the fields are coming in to pay their respects. "Mary wraps round him her mantle of blue" refers to the child being taken away by his spiritual mother. I've done some research to try to validate this, and haven't come up with anything as yet, but it was a reputable source, and certainly gives a different spin to this very beautiful song.
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