60th Anniversary Concert

This year the United Nations Singers celebrates its 60^th anniversary!

On October 19, 2007, we held our anniversary concert in St. Stephen's of Hungary Church, New York City. More photos

Songs Performed at the Concert

Daichi Sansho (Hymn of praise to Mother Earth) - Japan. Mother Earth is grieving over the destruction of the planet. She calls on mankind to work in harmony with nature to bring the Earth back to health.

Ende Que Te Ví (Ever since I saw you) - Chile. In this lively song, composed by Francisco Flores del Campo and arranged by Mario Witis, a young man happens upon his sweetheart alone and confesses his love: "Ever since I saw you I have adored you, even though your mother cannot stand the sight of me."

Rosa Amarela (Yellow Rose) - Brazil. Brazilian composer Villa-Lobos dedicated this song to the girl Rosa Amarela. "Look how beautiful she is. I must dry my tears as we say farewell."

The Lark in the Clear Air - Ireland. In this traditional song, arranged by Paul Crabtree, a young man is elated by the song of the lark and by the thought that tomorrow he will reveal his love.

Iha Mian Agapi (I once had a love affair) - Greece. This traditional folk song, arranged by Frank Desby, depicts a Greek gentleman dreaming of his youth and his love for a beautiful girl. First he tells how she was the light of his eye and how he truly loved her. Then he recalls how she shamelessly led him on, all the while deceiving him.

Alleluia - United States. A choral composition by Randall Thompson in which the lyrics consist of just one word: Alleluia.

Eleanor Rigby - England. This song, composed by the Beatles, is about loneliness and the need to belong and to connect deeply with others, but has a catchy rhythm. Eleanor Rigby "died in the church and was buried, along with her name - nobody came…"

O Süsser Mai (O sweet May!) - Germany. Composed by Johannes Brahms, this song tells of the beautiful month of May.

Túrót Eszik a Cigány (The gypsy is eating cottage cheese) - Hungary. Two contrasting folk songs, combined and arranged by Zoltán Kodály, vividly depict two gypsies who get into an argument.

It's My Desire - United States. An African-American gospel song by Freda Pullen and Horace Boyer: "It's my desire to be like the Lord."

Hava Naguila (Let us rejoice!) - Israel. This joyful number is attributed to Abraham Zevi Idelsohn, a Jewish bandmaster in the Turkish army during the First World War. Written around 1920, it has become one of the best-known songs in Hebrew. This arrangement is by Vivian Tabbush.

Haurtxo Seaskan (Pretty baby in the cradle) - Spain (Basque region). This lullaby, composed by José de Olaizola, is in the Basque language.

Minamahal Kita (I love you) - Philippines. A popular song in the Tagalog language about enduring love. "You are truly the reason for my happiness. I love you, and my devotion is unchanged…”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Intermission ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sing Sing So - Indonesia. A traditional rowing song from Tapanuli, northern Sumatra.

Siyahamba Ekukhanyeni Kwenkhosi (We are walking in the light of God) - South Africa. A traditional gospel song from Zululand.

Fratello Sole, Sorella Luna (Brother Sun, Sister Moon) - Italy. A composition by F. Malatesta, in an arrangement by Teo Curcio. "How sweet it is to feel that in my heart, love is growing, that I am no longer alone but part of an immense life. What generous splendour around me, a gift from Him in His infinite love. He gave us the sky and the bright stars, Brother Sun and Sister Moon."

La Palomita (Little Dove) - Bolivia. A humorous folk song arranged by Gustavo Yepes (Colombia), sung partly in Spanish and partly in Quechua. A man's sweetheart ("little dove") has been carried off by four strangers, and he wonders whether to use force to recapture her with the aid of four gunmen - but finally decides to get her back by himself.

Nigra Sum (I am dark). This choral piece, composed by Pablo Casals, is based on a Latin version of the Song of Songs used in devotions for the Virgin Mary. A farmgirl, dark from toiling under the sun, tells of her devotion, saying: "I am dark but beautiful, a daughter of Jerusalem, and have pleased the Lord." It will be sung by altos and sopranos.

You May Bury Me in the East - United States. This African-American spiritual, arranged by John W. Work, will be sung by basses and tenors. "You may bury me in the East, you may bury me in the West, but how I long to hear the trumpet sound, in that morning…"

Boleras Sevillanas - Spain. This song of Andalucia, by E. Fábrez, praises the exceptional beauty of the proud women of Seville.

Dirait-on (One Would Say) - Germany/United States. This is a musical setting by Morten Johannes Lauridsen (United States) of an evocative poem in French by the German poet Rainer Maria Rilke on the theme of self-awareness and inner feelings. It is the last of six poems by Rilke entitled La Rose Complète.

Ain'-a That Good News! - United States. This African-American spiritual expresses joy at going home to God's kingdom.

 

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