Print Programme Concert Mozarfrica I correction finale

PART I
1. A Nyamb’Eweke: “God of the living”, Daniel Mouelle Kouelle II
(Cameroon)
2. Since by Man Came Death, George Frideric Handel
3. The Lord Gave The Word, George Frideric Handel
4. The Marvellous Work, Joseph Haydn
5. Mitso Miva Mideso: “Appeal”, Seth Atzo Kwadzo (Traditional
Mina from Togo)
6. Ololo Hosanna, Gontran Maka (Traditional music from Gabun)
7. Da Zei Eric Dassié Wendji
PART II
1. Musungedi, Ekambi Brillant (Cameroon)
2. Regina Caeli, Gregor Aichinger
3. Jubilate Deo, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
4. Benedictus Sit Deus, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
5. Ndolo Ebuki Bese, Abel Nen (Cameroon)
6. Laagoh Budji Gnangni (Traditional Dida from Ivory Coast)
7. Chemin d’Eglise, Georges Goudet

NDF CHOIR - LONDON
Headquartered in the heart of London, NDF Choir London is the primary
choir in charge of dominical masses at the French church Notre Dame de
France. The choir takes part in fundraising concerts, worshipping
evenings, outreach festivals and ad-hoc musical projects.
Regular vocal coaching is provided during weekly masterclasses by Gaelle
Biyong.
NDF Choir London also has at heart to promote worshipping, liturgical,
classical composers from round the world, as you will hear tonight.
Conductors: Salomon Fritz Bakoa, Mémona Rendeukeu
Soprano: Camille Gros, Katia Bidoung, Maria Traore, Marie-Laure Amon,
Mylène Lejuste, Stella Assoumou
Alto: Alice Dovi Goeh, Cyndi Brena, Mémona Rendeukeu
Basse: Boris Dosseh, François Cabau, Jean de Vannoise
INSTRUMENTS: Meidi Chalal, Adam Hope (Pianist), Julie Iem (Violonist)

TONIGHT’S ARTISTIC TEAM
Salomon Fritz Bakoa - Conductor
Born and raised in Cameroon, Salomon soon
developed a passion for music when he joined the
Marie Reine choir. Quick learner and diligent, he
was soon promoted as a tenor leader. He studied
relentlessly to master solfège and the art of using
one’s voice to touch souls. He became choir master
in no time and performed in numerous occasions at the Douala Cathedral.
Moving to London, he naturally inquired about a Francophone choir and
discovered Notre Dame de France. He soon became the leading choir master
of Notre Dame de France. Beside his day job at TotalEnergies, he has
developed his conducting skills whilst training at the Association of British
Choir Director. Always looking to lift others up, he has passed on his skills to
attending choristers, thus building on his legacy. He attended master classes
with Opera de Paris baryton Florent Mbia and the pianist Françoise Ferrand.
Under his tenure, NDF Choir-London performed at Leceister Square SitC
festivals, fundraising events, Westminster Cathedral mass, regularly
performed in front of the French ambassador and Cardinals. Most recently,
Salomon F. Bakoa recorded the acclaimed single Chemin d’Eglise. He has now
moved to Paris where he will pursue his musical journey. He remains a
fervent advocate and Patron of NDF Choir-London.
Mémona Rendekeu – Choir Master
Born in Lyon (France), Mémona is a young
professional, passionate about singing. She
started her classical music journey in 2019, as she
arrived in London and joined Notre Dame de
France Choir London as an alto singer under the
direction and mentorship of Salomon Fritz Bakoa.

Since Salomon’s departure in July 2021, Mémona conducts Notre Dame de
France Choir with passion and drive.
She is currently trained and mentored in this new musical challenge by Adam
Hope, Conductor and Musicianship lead for the National Youth Choirs of
Great Britain, as well as choral conductor and singing teacher at the Junior
Department of the Royal Academy of Music. She co-managed the project of
a single recording in Summer 2021. Its release, Chemin d’Eglise, paves the
way for more exciting projects.
Diane Gaelle Biyong – Vocal Coach
Although Diane started with a computer science and
insurance degree, she has also made great strides in
the musical world. Evolving in this world under the
artistical name D. the Queen Soprano singer, she
entered the world of classical music in August 2004.
She joined the choir Queen of the Apostles & Angels,
at the Cathedral of Douala – Cameroon. Diane is
passionate about opera. Vocal coach has become a second job for Diane,
who also directs and acts in recitals and Opera competitions. She has been
working with Notre Dame de France Choir since 2020, giving individual
training to a selected number of singers.

CLASSICAL MUSIC HAS NO BORDERS…….
This evening, you will be hearing music from some of the most widely
acclaimed and well known composers. More interestingly, NDF Choir
London has embarked on a mission to introduce African composers to the
mainstream. One of the most attractive features of African classical music
is its extraordinary diversity. Some composers wrote music in a traditional
western classical style while incorporating traditional melodies and
rhythms. The results are unique and uplifting in equal measure.
You will discover untapped musical riches which will invigorate your
classical repertoire. Most particularly tonight, we will shed light on
fascinating and distinctive composers.
PART I
A Nyambe, an odd to Nyambe, God of the living - Daniel Mouelle Koulle
II (Cameroon)
In accordance with traditions of the Sawa and Bantou people, this is a
traditional Sawa song, an African spiritual calling in Ngosse. Through my
harmonies, this song is able to gain a classical feel.
Ngosse is prevalent in the long musical phrases and powerful messages
sung, while classical harmonies are mixed with an Ewesse beat.
Danielle Mouelle is a choir master and composer. He trained in
musicology under Christian Kubrick, at the Academy of Music in Berlin.

Since by Man Came Death - George Frideric Handel
1 Corinthians 15: 21-22
German-born English composer of the late Baroque era, Handel was
noted particularly for his operas, oratorios, and instrumental compositions.
He wrote the most famous of all oratorios, Messiah (1741), and is also
known for such occasional pieces as Water Music (1717) and Music for
the Royal Fireworks (1749).
This chorus clearly depicts the central tenet of the Christian faith, that
man’s sins will be redeemed by Christ who was himself human. Handel
sets the words “since by man came death” in a minor key (A minor) and
in a slow tempo (grave), and the choir is unaccompanied except for the
continuo. The next phrase “by man came also the resurrection of the
dead,” in contrast, seems to explode out of nowhere in a bright major key
(C major) and fast tempo (allegro). This phrase is also accompanied by
the strings of the orchestra, and the lively rhythms convey this greatest
of wonders of the Christian faith. Handel then repeats this sequence,
returning to the slow, somber, unaccompanied version for “For as in
Adam all die,” which “Even so in Christ shall be made alive” is given the
explosive C-major, allegro, setting. St. Paul’s balanced rhetoric of two
pairs of contrasting phrases is perfectly matched in Handel’s setting.
The Lord Gave The Word – Georg Frideric Handel:
Lyrics from the psalm 68 verse 11: the Lord gave the word; great was the
company of the preachers

The Marvellous Work- Joseph Haydn:
(Franz) Joseph Haydn was a prominent and prolific Austrian composer of
the Classical period. He was instrumental in the development of chamber
music such as the piano trio and his contributions to musical form have
earned him the epithets “Father of the Symphony” and “Father of the
String Quartet.”
Mitso Miva Mideso: “Appeal”- Seth Atzo Kwadzo (Traditional Mina
fromTogo)
Stand up, let's go, let's keep moving
Come on, let us move forward
Let us not give up on our plans
Stand up, let's hurry up
For the common good
Let us walk in love
Oh, stand up and may love guide us
So that we may build a better world
Ololo Hosanna - Gontran Maka (Traditional music from Gabon)
Da Zei - Eric Dassié Wendji (Cameroon)
The song originates from South Africa. Translation: Lord, come and dwell
in the depths of my heart. O Father of heaven, come and stay with me, o
Mother of heaven, come and stay with me; Holy Spirit, come and stay
with me, with all the Saints and Angels, dwell with me.

INTERMISSION
PART II
Musungedi - Ekambi Brilliant (Cameroon)
I hear voices coming from heaven. Pay close attention, it the seraphim
The Savior
I am The Savior
I have come to save you
You shall not kill
I hear voices coming from heaven
I was sent by God the father
To save the poor
A prophet is not respected in this world of wicked
When you pray,
Do it with fervour.
A life full of misery is pending upon you
Hunger and damnation are near
Please follow me
Regina Caeli - Gregor Aichinger
Gregor Archinger was a German Catholic priest and composer of the late
Renaissance whose work was highly influenced by Orlando di Lasso. His
motets are known for their careful voice leading and sensitivity to
beautiful sonorities.

Regina Caeli Laetare is a Marian antiphon and is especially appropriate
during the season of Easter.
Translation: O Queen of Heaven, be joyful, be joyful, Alleluia,
Because He Whom thou didst merit to bear, Alleluia,
Has risen as He said, Alleluia,
Pray to God for us, Alleluia.
Jubilate Deo – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Loosely translated, “Jubilate Deo” means “Make a joyful noise to God”.
This anthem of jubilant praise has been popular since the 19th century,
and is attributed to Mozart.
A set of English lyrics for this tune is:
Let us praise you, let us praise you, Father, let us praise you.
We rejoice in you, O Father, let us give you praise.
Benedictus Sit Deus – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Benedictus sit Deus Pater,
unigenitusque Dei Filius,
Sanctus quoque Spiritus,
quia fecit nobiscum misericordiam
suam
Blessed be God the Father
and the only-begotten Son of
God,
and the Holy Spirit;
for he has dealt with us
according to his mercy
Ndolo Ebuki Bese - Abel Nen (Cameroon):
90% of Abel Nen songs are about love.
Loose translation: Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does
not boast, it is not proud.

It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered,
it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices
with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always
perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will
cease.
Laagoh Budji Gnan Gni - (Traditional Dida from Ivory Coast)
Lord I thank you for all you did for me. I give you praise for your good
deeds in my life.
Chemin d’Eglise – Georges Goudet
Georges GOUDET discovered the world of musical entertainment when
he was a teacher and facilitator in school chaplaincy.
Gradually music, singing and the creation of shows became essential in
its proposals to young people. Making himself available for teaching, he
answered "present" to the call launched by the diocesan Church to be
totally involved in catechesis for all ages of life. Responsible for the
Diocesan Service in Saint-Etienne then for the Christian Initiation Service
for adolescents, singing and animation remained in his baggage and
proposals.
Gradually, the show's intermittent status became unavoidable. More
than 1000 performances, vigils or shows throughout France, Switzerland
and Belgium over the past 20 years, a large part of which with the team
of "Trésors de la Foi" then with the company of the "Quatuor à Word ".
Today, he devotes his time to the creation and presentation of a wide
variety of musical projects: shows for children and adolescents with
Marie-Louise VALENTIN and the company of ZACCROCHES and the very
last intergenerational show "VIENS WITH US". And now the very last
album ENVOLE-TOI which launches the September 2021 return!

CREDITS
Many thanks to:
Father Pascal Boidin, Rector of Notre Dame de France
Father Robinson, SJ, Rector of Farm Street Church of the Immaculate
Conception
Georges McCombe, Administrator, Farm Street Church
Notre Dame de France Marist Community
Franck Taki, volunteer drum player
The wonderful volunteers who contributed their own time and efforts to
make this happen. You have made an unforgettable difference.
© Maria Traore
GRAPHIC DESIGN
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