SATB Choir; (harp accompaniment optional)

(No. 1 also scored for chamber orchestra, optional)

 

1. Munus (A Gift)
2. Dulcis amor (Sweet love)
3. Amo! (Madrigal) (I Love!)

Amo! was conceived as a trilogy of Latin texts expressing  love which speaks from the Middle Ages to our own time.   Two of the three parts were commissioned by Harvard University.  The first, Munus, was commissioned by the students the Harvard Glee Club, the Radcliffe Choral Society, and the Harvard-Radcliffe Collegium Musicum in 2003 to honor Jameson Marvin’s 25^th anniversary at Harvard.   Dulcis amor was part of a larger commissioning series celebrating the 150^th year of the Harvard Glee Club.  The third of the set, a contemporary madrigal from which the trilogy takes its name, was commissioned by The Princeton Singers.

The aspects of love expressed in the medieval clerical poetry are no less vital today than they were when they were written.   The affection, longing, and ardor are with us always.

While conceived as a trilogy, the separate pieces of Amo! may be performed separately. They may be performed a cappella or with harp.  No. 1, Munus, has also been scored for chamber orchestra accompaniment.

No. 1  Munus (A Gift)

Delitiasque poli semperque manentia regna
Quaeramus toto pectore, mento, manu.
Felix aula poli nunquam dislungit amicum;
Semper habet, quod amat, pertus amore calens.
Aspice laetifico gratanter corde,
Precamur, precamur, parvula quae magnus
Munera misit amor.

from Ad amicum absentem suspiria
–Alcuin of York (c. 735–804)

No. 2 Dulcis amor (Sweet Love)

Dulcis amor lacrimis absentem plangit amicum
quem longinqua negat terra videre oculis.
Rara fides hominum caros effecit amicos,
milia multa cient, pectore solus erit.
Argento melior, fulvo pretiosior auro,
omnibus et gazis clarior iste nitet,
quem cupit et quaerit mentis sibi tota voluntas
ut habeat, teneat, diligat atque colat.
Iste eris ecce mihi magno coniunctus amore,
tu requies mentis, tu mihi dulcis amor.
Te deus aeterno conservat tempore semper,
tu me memor semper ubique vale

–Alcuin of York

No. 3  Amo! (Madrigal)  (I Love!)

Olim te vidi, vidi voluique videre,
ipseque te viso plus mihi complacui.
Plurima conicimus de nobis pauca loquuti Entuit morum subito dulcedo tuorum.
Te si quid valeat mecum mea musa perennet.
Ipse salutatus tandem te triste recessi,
teque salutato tristis ego redeo.
Verius…qui de vobis poterit dicere: plus amo te.
Te si quid valeat mecum mea musa perennet,
te quoque perpetuis perpetuet titulis.

from Ad Maiolum
–Baudri of Bourgueil
(1046-1130)

Translation

No. 1 Munus (A Gift)

Let us seek the delights and ever-enduring realms of heaven
With our whole heart, mind and hand.
The blessed hall of heaven never separates friends;
A heart warmed by love always has what it loves.
Look with joy and gladdening heart,
At these little offerings which great love sends you.

No. 2  Dulcis Amor  (Sweet Love)

Sweet love weeps tears for absent love,
Long distant land denies my eyes sight of him.
Rare the faithfulness among men which creates dear friends
Innumerable those who cry, the heart remains alone.
Better than silver, more precious than yellow gold,
All this and royal treasure are nothing compared to this one
Who is coveted and sought for by the heart with its whole desiring
So that it may have, hold, esteem, and care for him.
This is therefore my great bond of love,
You are the quiet of the heart, you my sweet love.
May God protect you through all time;
Remember me always wheresoever you go, farewell.

No. 3  Amo! (Madrigal) (I Love!)

When I first saw you, I looked and wanted to stare.
The more I saw of you, the more I was pleased.
Just speaking a few words, we learned much about each other.
Unexpectedly, the sweetness of your character dazzled me.
If my muse can do anything, let her immortalize you.
After you bid me farewell, at last I departed, leaving you sad;
After I said farewell to you, I went away, sad myself.
Truly, who among you can say: “I love you most.”
If my muse can do anything, let her immortalize you.
And preserve you with everlasting renown.

1. Munus (A Gift)
2. Dulcis amor (Sweet love)
3. Amo! (Madrigal) (I Love!)