CONTRADANZA DE COLEGIO (CONTRADANZA OF THE SCHOOL)


The Contradanza was one of the most popular dances of the 18th century in Spain, danced and sung by the Royal Court as well as by the general public. Soler has written a charming and simple Villancico for the Christmas Festival, one that opens with a short Introduction in 2/2 time that leads into the Estrivillo (refrain) in the 6/8 time of a Contradanza. During this merry dance the choir sings about the delightful Contradanza that is being prepared by the School to delight the Christ Child and divert Him from His cares. Each of the three verses of the Coplas is followed by the singing of the Contradanza, which is in direct contrast to the quiet soprano solos of the Coplas.

 

INTRODUCTION

CHORUS

Allegretto

 

Una alegre Contradanza
de placer y de solaz
previene el colegio al Niño
para divertir su afán.
La ... la ... la ... andar, andar, andar
y alegres bullicios
celebren propicios
la Natividad,
con saltos propicios
mostrando expresivos
su gozo eficaz,                                 
pues viene a curarnos                           
la fiebre de Adán.                              
La ... la ... la ... andar, andar, andar.           
Un palitroque ha                              
del que del júbilo empleo                       
le empieza a alegrar.               

La ... la ... la ... andar, andar, andar.           
En noche tan bella                             
lo serio atropella                              
la festividad.                                  
La ... la ... la ... andar, andar, andar.           
Y escuchen ahora                              
la idea sonora                                 
por este compás.                               

What a happy Contradanza

of amusement and delight
prepared by the school for our Child
to divert Him from His cares.
La ... la ... la ... go to sing and dance
with joyous confusion and din
to observe this wonderful
Yule time,
happily skipping and leaping
to show all our festive satisfaction,
 for from Adam's fever
He will cure us all.


La ... la ... la ... let us sing and skip
and leap and dance.
The gay employment of ratchets
all rattling begin now
to fill Him with joy.
La ... la ... la ... let's go, let's go.
As this night's so beautiful,
solemn expressions
would spoil all the fun.
La ... la ... la ... go to sing and dance.
And now, please do listen
to all the melodies
found in this dance.

 

CONTRADANZA

 

Pues hoy has nacido.                         
mi Niño querido,         
por darnos la vida,                                              
la dicha y la paz.                               
Admite los ecos                               
del chascharraschás                            
y el ruido discorde                             
del trapalatrá,                                  
pues es vida nuestra                           
quererte obsequiar.                             
La ... la ... la ... andar, andar, andar.           

Today Thou wert born,
oh, my Child so beloved,
to give us a life,
filled with joy and with peace.
Receive all the echos
of chascharraschás
and noisy discordance
of trapalatrá,
our lives we devote to
bringing Thee this gift.
La ... la ... la ... go to sing and dance.

 

SOPRANO SOLO

COPLAS: Andantino

 

1.—La nieve y el hielo                           
te angustian la faz;            
y nuestras tibiezas                               
mas pena te dan,                                 
mas pena te dan.                                 
 

2.—Admite un obsequio,                       
Divino Zagal,                                  
que amante te ofrece                           
mi fiel voluntad,                              
mi fiel voluntad.                               
 

3.—Pues eres palabra                          
feliz y eficaz,                                   
errores disipa                                 
de mi ceguedad,                               
de mi ceguedad.                               

1.—The bitter snow and ice
brings sadness to Thy face;
but our cold indifference
afflicts Thee still more,
afflicts Thee still more.
 

2.—Receive Thou my one gift,
O Shepherd Divine,
which lovingly brings Thee
my homage and faith,
my homage and faith.
 

3.—Since Thou art the True Word
that is joyous and strong,
erase all the errors
of my sinful ways,
of my sinful ways.