Adam lay ybounden
Commissioned for inclusion in an annual Lessons & Carols service, this short SATB work is based upon an anonymous 15th century version of the story of Adam and Eve.
Commissioned in fall 2007, Djupstrom's 'Adam' successfully combines modern and medieval flavors, mystery with bold proclamation. Its first performance was by an all-volunteer church choir (30 voices) and organ, the choir initially somewhat fearful of its intricate contrapuntal weavingsAdam; Lessons; Carols; Advent; Christmas, non-traditional harmonies, and irregular rhythmic patterns leading to a climactic series of ringing, interlocking 'Deo gracias' affirmations. But all elements began to coalesce in remarkably short order, and the premiere, at Lessons & Carols that December, was something of a triumph. Collegiate choirs especially would find it a worthy addition to the 'Adam' repertory--as would church and civic choirs that appreciate solid craftsmanship, musical imagination, and careful attention to the text.
Adam lay ybounden, bounden in a bond,
four thousand winter thought he not too long;
And al was for an appil, an appil that he took,
As clerkes finden written in their book.
Ne hadde the appil take been, the appil taken been,
ne hadde never our lady a been hevene queen;
Blessed be the time that appil take was,
Therfore we moun singen Deo gracias!
Modern English equivalents of certain words and phrases
ybounden = bound
clerkes = religious scholars
ne hadde the appil take been = if the apple had not been taken
ne hadde never....queen = our lady never would have been heavenly queen
moun = must
Contact composer directly at mdjupstr@yahoo.com or visit www.michaeldjupstrom.com
