IFORUMENG 537 Version1 PDF

Hej Miste CU Christmas Concert
Hej Miste CU Christmas Concert
It can be in no doubt that Christmas concerts are a staple of Czech festive traditions, with music playing a centre role
in Czech culture. On the 17th of December at 7 pm the Charles University Choir and the chamber orchestra Orchestra
Camerata Carolina under the conductor Jakub Zcha performed a Christmas concert in the Karolinum building of Charles
University. The repertoire included Czech advent matins from the 16th century, a collection of old European carols as
well as the famous Czech Christmas mass Hej Miste composed by the Czech teacher and composer Jakub Jan Ryba.
The Charles University Choir was founded in 1948, the members either consisting of those currently studying at the
university or recently graduated. They perform numerous concerts throughout the academic year, recently singing at the
2014 memory awards event to coincide with 25 years since the Velvet Revolution. But it is no doubt that the highlight of
any musicians year are the Christmas concerts. The playing or singing of pieces which have been heard for hundreds
of years, pieces of music which each person has grown up hearing. Christmas carols are a tradition shared throughout
the whole of Europe with each country having their own versions typical to their culture and traditions. Despite this, there
are carols which are shared across Europe as a whole; though the language which they are sung in may differ, the
melody and accompanying atmosphere is same. Both the Czech advent matins from the 16th century and the collection
of European carols affectively brought the past Christmas choral festivities into the Karolinum, with the performance of
carols including In Natali Domini and Omnis Mundus. The performance of these ancient carols in the Karolinums Great
Hall was flawless. The choirs voices floating to each note that had been sung by many others previously; carrying on
the choral Christmas traditions.
No Czech Christmas choral concert is complete without the mass composed by Jakub Jan Ryba titled Hej
Miste (translated in English as Hail, Master). Its performance has grown to become a Christmas tradition since its
composition in 1790. The mass through its text and music illustrates the familiar nativity scene, with songs dedicated to
particular events and characters within the nativity including the angels, shepherds as well as the journey to Bethlehem.
The four soloists were Marta Fadljeviov, soprano, Karolna Bubleov Berkov, alto, tenor Martin Slavk and bass
David Nykl. Similar to the Latin mass the Ryba Czech Christmas Mass is in 9 sections; The Kyrie, Gloria, Gradual,
Credo, Offertories, Sanctus, Benedictus, Agnus Dei and Zavier. With the title of mass used it can be assumed that
this piece would be sung in Latin however the Hej Miste mass is written and sung in Czech. This combined with the
inclusion of short folk inspired motifs and rhythmic patterns results in a truly Czech Christmas mass.
The Karolinum built in the 14th century proved to be the perfect setting for this concert, both acoustically and historically.
Acoustically as the buildings structure , with its high ceiling, stone walls and large open space creating a reverb which
Compiled 29.1.2015 11:28:15 by Document Globe
carried the voices through hall, mimicking that that would have been heard in churches and cathedrals, where these
pieces would have been originally sung. Historically as the Karolinum and Charles University would have both been
standing and influential during the time of these pieces composition.
This Christmas concert truly was magical, it bought traditional Czech Christmas choral traditions under the roof of a
building steeped in Pragues history, with the voices of the choir echoing throughout the Great Hall as it has done for
centuries. It showed that despite the commercialism which accompanies the festive period, the traditions and choral
festivities which truly make a Czech Christmas are still present and thriving.
Suzanna Knuckey is a joint honours student studying music and history with
archaeology at Bangor University, North Wales. Currently she studies in the department of music, faculty of education
at Charles University as an Erasmus student. Her interests include history, art, culture and music, her main instrument
being the violin. Suzanna joined the iForum to become more involved in student life in Prague as well as meet others
from different countries and backgrounds.
Compiled 29.1.2015 11:28:15 by Document Globe

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Hej Miste CU Christmas Concert

Hej Miste CU Christmas Concert

Compiled 29.1.2015 11:28:15 by Document Globe

Compiled 29.1.2015 11:28:15 by Document Globe

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