t is with great pride that we present this collection of music by thecomposer John August Pamintuan recorded by one of the premierechoral groups in the world, the University of the PhilippinesMadrigal Singers under choirmaster Mark Anthony Carpio.

The selections open with Pater Noster from the 2007 European GrandPrix for Choral Singing. The songs are all sacred music, except for thedark and acoustically arresting De Profundis. Other concert piecesranging from the very difficult Alma de Cristo and Crucifixus to thepoignant O Magnum Mysterium and Memorare are also included in thiscompilation. We also highlight the Pange Lingua and Maior Caritas,the text written by St. Thomas Aquinas, in time for the Quadricentennialof the University of Santo Tomas (UST) in 2011.

The fantastic acoustics of the UST Museum is featured in this CDrecording. No digital signal processing was used. Instead, the originalambience of the venue was preserved by laying front uni-directionals tocapture the clarity of the text, middle multi-directionals for the collectivechoral sound, and back omni-directionals for the natural reverb,allowing you to enjoy the real atmosphere of the venue, and thebeautiful voices of the singers.

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M A I O R C A R I T A SM A I O R C A R I T A SM A I O R C A R I T A SM A I O R C A R I T A SM A I O R C A R I T A STHE CHORAL WORKS OF JOHN AUGUST PAMINTUAN

Amando Amando Amando Amando Amando AndrAndrAndrAndrAndrada Rada Rada Rada Rada Renienienienienivvvvva,a,a,a,a, MD MD MD MD MDExecutive ProducerChicago, Illinois 2008

usic is one of our greatest treasures. The University of the PhilippinesMadrigal Singers is one of our greatest music icons. And the songswritten by John August Pamintuan are our great favorites.

Hence this album, MAIOR CARITAS, the greatest love.

We share this with our family from the UST Pharmacy Glee Clubwhere John August Pamintuan and I were once conductors. Thank you also to all the alumni who came and joined the recording.

We do hope that through this initial undertaking by MDy Productions,we are able to share with you our greatest love:the music of the Divine.

ProductionsMDyMDyMDyMDyMDy

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COUNTERTENORSCOUNTERTENORSCOUNTERTENORSCOUNTERTENORSCOUNTERTENORSChristopher BorChristopher BorChristopher BorChristopher BorChristopher Borela (Asst.ela (Asst.ela (Asst.ela (Asst.ela (Asst. Choir Choir Choir Choir Choirmaster)master)master)master)master)

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JJJJJohn Christian John Christian John Christian John Christian John Christian JoseoseoseoseoseAldricAldricAldricAldricAldrich Bah Bah Bah Bah Batallatallatallatallatalla

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he University of the Philippines Madrigal Singers has established itself asone of the finest choral groups in the world. In its long history, the grouphas captivated the hearts of music enthusiasts from all continents and hasalways left the audience mesmerized and enthralled after each amazing andmoving performance. Most remarkably, the group has no conductor, togive the cues and shape the architecture of the music, in this formation ofsingers seated in a mystical semi circle.

National Ar tist Andrea Veneracion founded the group in 1963 and led themthrough numerous victories in the international choral scene reaching thepinnacle of the choir’s success in 1997 when they won the European GrandPrix for Choral Singing in Tours (France). She carefully nurtured the groupinto becoming the world-class ensemble that it is today.

Mark Anthony Carpio now directs the group, and ten years after thatmomentous 1997 triumph, the most beautiful sound on earth again earnedthe unanimous vote of the judges in the 2007 European Grand Prix inArezzo (Italy), becoming the first choir to merit the honor of winning twicein the history of the competitions.

The current group is composed of very young singers who, after receivingthe music minutes before the recording, proceeded in the usual “Madz”fashion of impeccable sight-singing, bringing the music to life with anamazing spontaneity, delivering an emotionally arousing performance thatis immortalized in this compact disc.

The University of the Philippines Madrigal Singers

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T he MAIORcaritas group was born out of this recording when alumni fromthe University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Pharmacy thought of aworthwhile fundraising activity along with the 40th founding anniversaryof their glee club. They have long admired the University of thePhilippines Madrigal Singers (Madz), even sneaking to the CulturalCenter of the Philippines to watch their concerts, in spite of the veryhectic schedule in the academe.

These former glee club members, who are now professionals in thehealth sciences, take a break from their busy careers to sing with theMadz. Singing together is their greatest love. As young students theyshared with each other their passion for choral art while developinglifelong friendships, and through this project, their greatest love nowlives as a group of the same name: MAIORcaritas.

Fransisca Anselma Lacandazo, Dr. Lena Catindoy, Dr. Rozelle Jade Javier,Myrna Bonifacio, Michelle Yanzon, Jhoanna Aquino, Dr. Antonette Co,Dr. Minerva Navarro, Arlyn Mulingbayan, Bessie Ramirez, Rechelle Cortes,Dr. Maidenlove Raguero, Marifi Bacolod, Catherine Puertollano, Dr. ColetaArias, Gizelle Tercero, Dr. Minda Perez, Josephine del Parto, Jocelyn AnnaMarie Tiongson, Dr. Helga Sta. Maria, Daphine Magdangal, Dr. AbigailMalantic, Chato Lozada, Urea Thea Antonio, Dr. Hazel de Luna, Teresa Gener,Dr. Elaine Napenas, Sharon Santiago, Flor Ordanez, Ronald Reagan Domingo,Reynaldo Cruz, Bernardo Caimoy, Dr. Amando Reniva, Dennis Baldoria,Antonio Ison, Gerard de Guzman, Benjel Andaya, Dr. Erwin Obtinalla,Dr. Jay Datukan, Dr. Carl Facto, Jerricho Reynaldo, Dr. Martin Cruz, Dr. GlennPuertollano, Neil Nepomuceno, Dr. Mario Domingo, Dr. Mario Gallardo

MAIORcaritasMAIORcaritasMAIORcaritasMAIORcaritasMAIORcaritas

Memorare has been written in three versions: for the AteneoChamber Singers, University of the Philippines SingingAmbassadors, and the University of the Philippines MadrigalSingers. This is a very reflectively profound but simple prayer ofa child to his mother, which is quite effectively expressed in thesimple floating melody and homophonic texture of the music.

MemorareM

September 2007. The concert of the University of thePhilippines Madrigal Singers was well-received in NewYork. Arriving fresh from their victory in the EuropeanGrand Prix (Arezzo, Italy), the group performed all of theirwinning pieces at the St. Vincent Ferrer Church on 64th

and Lexington, and opened the program with PaterNoster.

April 2007. While Mark and John exchanged emailsregarding the upcoming competition, Mark said he stillneeded a good opener, something that will seize theattention of the jury, a piece with a beautiful melodythat will make the judges do nothing except listen to themusic and watch the performance.

March 2007. John wrote the Pater Noster and plannedto submit this to the Composition Competition in Arezzo,Italy. On March 15, he was in Washington DC en routeto New York and the snowstorm was unbelievably fierceso the piece never found its way to the post office. Deepinside, John said the piece will still win in Arezzo.

emorare, O piisima Virgo Maria,non esse auditum a sæculo,quemquam ad tua currentem præsidia,tua implorantem auxilia,tua petentem suffragiaesse derelicta.Nos tali animati confidentia ad te,Virgo Virginum, Mater, currimus;ad te venimus; coram te gementespeccatores assistimus.Noli, Mater Verbi,verba nostra despicere,sed audi propitia et exaudi. Amen.

Remember, O Most Gracious Virgin Mary,that never was it known,that anyone who fled to your protection,implored your help,and sought your intercessionwas left unaided.Inspired by this confidence I hasten to you,O Virgin of Virgins, my Motherto you I come; before you I standsinful and sorrowful.O Mother of the word incarnate,do not despise my petition,but in your mercy hear and answer me. Amen.

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Pater noster and Ama NaminOur Father in heaven, Holy be Your Name.Your Kingdom come. Your Will be done on earth as in heaven.Give us today our daily bread and forgive us our sins,As we forgive those who sin against us,and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Source: “Specimen quadraginta diversarum atqueinter se differentium linguarum & dialectorum;videlicet, Oratio Dominica, totidem linguisexpressa. Hieronymus Megiserus.”, Francoforti,ex typographe’o Ioannis Spiessij, M.D.XCIII. (1593).

ama namin solo: mark anthony carpio, countertenorcello: Celia Narzo

text by Federico Garcia Lorca (1898-1936)

CCrucifixus

De Profundis

LComposed in Colorado, this was one of the winning pieces of theUniversity of the East (UE) Chorale under Anna Abeleda-Piqueroduring the Busan International Choral Competition in Korea2007. Crucifixus became the favorite of the jurors and they evenrequested the choir to sing this during the closing gala of thefestival. The same group also performed this work as part oftheir European tour program in 2008.

rucifixus etiam pro nobis,sub Pontio Pilatopassus, et sepultus est.

The UE Chorale performed this song in variouscompetitions in Hungary, Italy, Spain, Austria, andSwitzerland in 2008. Jury members often commentedthat this piece is the work of a genius, and has a veryimpressive acoustic effect.

The darkness of the mood mirrors the time that Johnspent living in New York: the cacophony in the subway,the gloom of winter, and the incessant noise in the citythat never sleeps.

os cien enamoradosduermen para siemprebajo la tierra seca.Andalucía tienelargos caminos rojos.Córdoba, olivos verdesdonde poner cien crucesque los recuerden.Los cien enamoradosduermen para siempre.

He suffered under Pontius Pilate,was crucified,died and was buried

Those hundred loversare asleep foreverbeneath the dry earth.Andalusia haslong, red-colored roads.Córdoba, green olive treesfor placing a hundred crossesto remember them.Those hundred loversare asleep forever.

One of the winners of the Awiting Bayan (Songs of our Homeland) ChoralComposition Contest sponsored by the National Commission for Cultureand the Arts, Alma de Cristo may be the most vocally and technicallydemanding of all of John’s pieces with its high tessitura, unusualharmonic progressions, and unending chromaticism and dissonances. National Artist Andrea Veneracion read the opening text to introducethe song during the world premiere of the original version in 2005.

This is perhaps the simplest but the most beautiful of all the songswritten by John. There can be no scene more wondrous and sereneas the birth of the Christ child where the common shepherds andanimals pay homage alongside the kings from the East and the hostof angels from above. World premiere by the San Miguel MasterChorale in 2004.

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Alma de Cristo

O Magnum MysteriumCuyunon text (Cuyo Island, Palawan, Philippines)

magnum mysterium, et admirabile sacramentum,ut animalia viderent Dominum natum, jacentem in præsepio!Beata Virgo, cujus viscera meruerunt portareDominum Christum. Alleluia.

alag ni Cristo, pacasantoson Mo acoLauas ni Cristo, pacaayaden Mo acoDugo nga mahal ni Cristo, pabusugon mo acoTubig sa quilid di Cristo, ugasi acoOlas nga Santos ni Cristo, buien Mo acoPagpasaquit ni Cristo, riguenen Mo acoO mayad nga Jesus pamatii acoSa seled sa imong manga igad tagoa acoSa maraet nga caauay tabonan Mo aco.Soul of Christ, sanctify meBody of Christ, save meBlood of Christ, inebriate meWater from the side of Christ, wash meSacred perspiration of Christ, give me lifePassion of Christ, strengthen meO good Jesus, hear meHide me in Your woundsFrom the evil enemy protect me.

O great mystery, and wonderful sacrament,that animals should see the new-born Lord, lying in a manger!Blessed is the Virgin whose womb was worthy to bearChrist the Lord. Alleluia!

soprano solo: liaa kathryna ambrosioguitar: christopher borela

ritten by St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) for the Solemnityof Corpus Christi, this hymn is considered the most beautifulof Aquinas’ hymns and one of the great seven hymns of theChurch. The rhythm of the Pange Lingua is said to havecome down from a marching song of Caesar’s Legions:“Ecce, Caesar nunc triumphat qui subegit Gallias.” Besidesthe Solemnity of Corpus Christi, this hymn is also used onHoly Thursday. The last two stanzas make up the TantumErgo (Down in Adoration Falling) that is used during theBenediction of the Blessed Sacrament.

From Liturgia Horarum. Tr. Fr. Edward Caswall (1814-1878).

Pange Linguatext in Latin and Agutaynen (Agutaya Island, Palawan, Philippines)

While he stayed in Palawan, John wrote a collection of 30miniature piano pieces and from this anthology, he assignedtwelve melodies for two long prayers by St. Thomas Aquinas. One of these is Pange Lingua, a suite composed of six songs,written for this recording.

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“We scheduled a recording session everydayfrom the 11th to the 15th of August 2008but had to adjust the time due to someunforeseen events. So we only had a totalof eight hours to learn and record themusic, the scores of which I gave out justbefore each recording session. We startedwith the more melodic and easier songs onthe first night, to gauge our ability inlearning the new pieces and efficiency inmanaging the very limited time. Whenthe Mads started singing the MagnumMysterium, I was misty-eyed because Iheard the same sound in my mind when Iwrote the piece in 2004. Then came thevery difficult songs which they sang rightoff the pages in tempo! One of the membersjokingly said that when they had a latedinner that night, everybody at the tablewas quiet and just stared blankly at thefood. The notes are not without error, butwe were able to capture the perfect momentwhen in the thick of reading and learningthe music, the artistry and talent of thesingers shone like a glow of light throughthe darkness of the long hall and the soundwe heard was the most beautiful onearth.” John August Pamintuan

Pn supremæ- nocte cenærecumbens cum fratribusobservata lege plenecibis in legalibus,cibum turbae duodenæse dat suis manibus.

I On the night of that Last Supper,seated with His chosen band,He the Pascal victim eating,first fulfills the Law’s command;then as Food to His Apostlesgives Himself with His own hand.

N obis datus, nobis natusex inacta Virgine,et in mundo conversatus,sparso verbi semine,sui moras incolatusmiro clausit ordine.

Of a pure and spotless Virginborn for us on earth below,He, as Man, with man conversing ,stayed, the seeds of truth to sow;then He closed in solemn orderwondrously His life of woe.

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Sing my tongue, the Savior’s glory,of His flesh the mystery sing;of the Blood, all price exceeding,shed by our immortal King,destined, for the world’s redemption,from a noble womb to spring.

ange lingua gloriosiCorporis mysterium,Sanguinisque pretiosi,quem in mundi pretiumfructus ventris enerosiRex effudit Gentium.

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quartet: RJ Faith Lorezo, Kitbielle Pasagui, John Christian Jose, Paolo Daniel Pardo

Venitori, Genitoquelaus et jubilatio,salus, honor, vir tus quoquesit et benedictio:procedenti ab utroquecompar sit laudatio.

Dayawenen ig ipailala.

antum ergo Sacramentumveneremur cernui:et antiquum documentumnovo cedat ritui:præstet fides supplementumsensuum defectui.

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Down in adoration falling,Lo! the sacred Host we hail;Lo! o’er ancient forms departing,newer rites of grace prevail;faith for all defects supplying ,where the feeble sense fail.

To the everlasting Father,and the Son who reigns on high,with the Holy Ghost proceedingforth from Each eternally,be salvation, honor, blessing,might and endless majesty

Praise and glory.

erbum caro, panem verumverbo carnem efficit:fitque sanguis Christi merum,et si sensus deficit,ad firmandum cor sincerumsola fides sufficit.

V Word-made-Flesh, the bread of natureby His word to Flesh He turns;wine into His Blood He changes;what though sense no change discerns?Only be the heart in earnest,faith her lesson quickly learns.

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Maior Caritas

Singing, listening, and experiencing music are our greatest loves, andMAIOR CARITAS attempts to demonstrate this through the recurringmotif and emphatic sentiment of this work composed and arrangedfor three choirs. The first choir sings, the second choir listens, and thethird choir experiences the music.

uia ubi est maior caritas,ibi est maius desiderium;et desiderium quodammodo facitdesiderantem aptem et paratumad susceptionem desiderati.

Where there is the greatest love,there is the most desire;and desire in a certain degreemakes the one deserving and preparedto receive what is desired.

text by St. Thomas Aquinas

The people behind this compact disc recording

Dr. Amando Reniva and MDy ProductionsJohn August Pamintuan, his music and graphics design

Mark Anthony Carpio and the U.P. Madrigal SingersThe MAIORcaritas group and Jerricho Reynaldo, secretariat

Aji Manalo and Acoustic UndergroundDr. Peter Paul Nang and his fabulous camera

Audrey Tangco and the wonderful food by BIZU

ontact

MDy Productions600 W Touhy Ave, Unit 206Park Ridge, Illinois 60068 U.S.A.telephone +1.773.551.3570mandyreniva@mdyproductions.comwww.mdyproductions.comwww.johnpamintuan.cominfo@johnpamintuan.com

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M A I O R C A R I T A SM A I O R C A R I T A SM A I O R C A R I T A SM A I O R C A R I T A SM A I O R C A R I T A STHE CHORAL WORKS OF JOHN AUGUST PAMINTUAN

MDy

choirmasterUNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES MADRIGAL SINGERSUNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES MADRIGAL SINGERSUNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES MADRIGAL SINGERSUNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES MADRIGAL SINGERSUNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES MADRIGAL SINGERSthe

MARK ANTHONY CARPIO,

J ohn August Pamintuan(b. 1972) MAIOR CARITAS Op. 5

Pater Noster

Ama Namin

Memorare

Crucifixus

De Profundis

Alma de Cristo

O Magnum Mysterium

Pange Lingua Gloriosi

Nobis Datus

In Suprema Nocte Cenæ

Verbum Caro

Tantum Ergo Sacramentum

Genitori, Genitoque - Dayawenen

Maior Caritas

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