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Love knows not 'mine' or 'thine', by Wayland Rogers

11/6/2020

2 Comments

 
By Sarah van der Ploeg
We are connected to one another, whether we like it or not. We are, as the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote, “caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” While it may not always feel like it in American society right now, this messy conglomeration of people with different cultures of origin and values is still one (unruly, intersectional) body.
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Elliot Mandel Photography
​I’ve thought a lot about this interconnectedness while reflecting on "Love Knows not ‘Mine’ or ‘Thine’,” Wayland Rogers’ setting of Christina Rossetti from the ensemble’s 2018 commission, I-Thou. Traveling through this song cycle that investigates so many different human relationships, we arrive at this final movement that celebrates sharing and oneness. I’ve needed to let this song wash over me, and to marinate in its message this week. We are connected. 
The movement begins with each voice on its own, a capella, calling out “in truth” - perhaps competing individual truths? - but then joining in one unison “truth” to state that “love knows not ‘mine’ or ‘thine’.” The voices move together in homophonic, simultaneous rhythm, while keeping consonant harmonies that make the music rich. All are together as one, while keeping their individual range and color. As the poem continues to refer to “both of us,” and “the love which makes us one,” the voices take their own versions of the same phrase while the music swells and grows in volume and range, until the four singers come back to unison - truly one. The final note rings in the air over an open, repeating pattern in the piano that feels like a sonic breath of fresh air. Openness, freedom, and unity in sound, as well as in text, to culminate the whole song cycle in “the love that makes us one.” After a cycle investigating conflict, dissonance, sarcasm, humor, beauty, and pain, we end up here: in harmony, through love.

Thanks for the reminder, Wayland. Here’s to the work of (messy, difficult, worthwhile) love.
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Author

Soprano Sarah van der Ploeg has been a member of Fourth Coast Ensemble since 2017. A lover of many musical styles, she came to classical singing from origins in musical theater and viola by way of arts policy, and still believes all of those pieces make a more perfect whole. Sarah particularly loves art song’s ability to tell a huge story in a compact, intimate, exciting package.

2 Comments
Ellen Mandel
11/6/2020 10:08:14 am

Thank you for this beautiful contribution to the Art Song Fix series, Sarah. Fourth Coast always finds selections from their repertoire that are timely for today; this one helps soothe the frazzled nerves of this week.

Reply
Ruby link
9/18/2024 03:39:43 am

This reflection on "Love Knows not 'Mine' or 'Thine'" beautifully captures the essence of interconnectedness. The harmonious blend of voices is a true work of Art & Craft, showcasing unity while celebrating individuality. Simply inspiring!


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    Hello, and welcome to the blog!  We are Fourth Coast Ensemble, Chicago's classical vocal quartet.  Join a different member of our ensemble for insights into our favorite art songs, links to archival and new recordings, and reflections on why we value and continue to come back to this musical medium.  We proudly present, your #artsongfix!

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  • About
    • The Organization
    • Quartet & Staff Members
  • On Stage
    • Upcoming >
      • 2024-25 Season >
        • 2024 Holiday Soirée
        • WordSong Chicago: Woodwinds by Ami Kaye
        • 6th Annual Chicago songSLAM
    • Past Seasons >
      • 2023-24 Season >
        • Chicago Public Art in Song
        • 2023 Holiday Soirée
        • Shores of Song Festival >
          • From Schumann to Chicago
          • WordSong Chicago
          • Off the Bench: Songs from the Pianist Perspective
          • Fifth Annual songSLAM Chicago
        • End of Season Kabarett
      • 2022-23 Season >
        • 2022 Gala: Chicago Public Art in Song
        • Laughterreise: Liebeslieder Edition
        • Chicago songSLAM
        • Fine Folk
        • End of Season Potluck
      • 2021-22 Season >
        • A Brush With Our Time, world premiere
        • Laughterreise
        • Roaring Twenties
        • Chicago songSLAM
        • End of Season Talent Show
      • 2021 HD Season >
        • Soprano | Mezzo Duo
        • Tenor | Bass Duo
        • Quartet Remix
        • songSLAM
      • 2019-20 Season >
        • Songs of Fourth Coast
        • American Woman
        • Between the Lines
        • Four by Four
  • Blog
  • Support
    • Give
  • Contact
  • Shop