The Polyphonists — "Abendfeier in Venedig" (Clara Schumann)

Recorded at Church of the Epiphany in Washington, D.C. in July 2021.

--

⭐️ SOCIAL MEDIA ⭐️
  / thepolyphonists  
  / thepolyphonists  

🌐 WEBSITE 🌐
https://thepolyphonists.com/

💌 MAILING LIST 💌
https://tinyurl.com/polyphonistsmail

--

The Polyphonists (puh-LIH-fuh-nists) are a professional vocal ensemble founded from two households: soprano Amy Broadbent & tenor Matthew Hill, and mezzo-soprano Sylvia Leith & bass-baritone Edmund Milly. The word polyphony describes many independent voices interwoven in harmony, and that is our ethos: We are four soloists, but we come together to create music that transcends our individuality.

Since our debut in 2020, The Polyphonists have garnered a steady following and developed a reputation for sophisticated and broad-ranging programming. The Polyphonists were honored as National Finalists for The American Prize in Chamber Music Performance, 2023 (Professional Division), and have been featured in residence at the University of Maryland, Towson University, the University of Oklahoma, & Oklahoma Baptist University. Our repertoire spans from the early Renaissance through the current day, with a commitment to expanding the choral canon by premiering new works and shining a light on lesser-known gems of the repertoire.

--

Translation:
Ave Maria! Sea and heaven are resting,
From every tower echoes the sound of bells,
Ave Maria! Leave off your earthly endeavours,
Pray to the Virgin, to the Virgin's son,
The hosts of Heaven themselves are now kneeling
With staves of lilies before the Father's throne,
And through the rosy clouds the songs
Of the blessed spirits waft solemnly down [toward earth].

Oh holy devotion, which marvelously penetrates
Every heart with a quiet shiver!
Oh holy faith that soars toward heaven
On the white wings of prayer!
There pain dissolves into mild tears,
While the rejoicing of happiness rings out more gently.
Ave Maria! When the bell sounds,
Earth and heaven smile, reconciled.