dà yú (大鱼)
Big Fish

hǎilàng wúshēng jiāng yè mùshēn shēn yānmò
Ocean waves silently drown the deep darkness
mànguò tiānkōng jìntóu de jiǎoluò
Spilling into the end of the sky
dà yú zài mèngjìng de fèngxì lǐ yóuguò
The big fish swims through the cracks in your dream’s edge
níngwàng nǐ chénshuì de lúnkuò
Gazing at your sleeping silhouette

kàn hǎitiān yīsè tīngfēng qǐ yǔluò
Sea and sky are one, wind howls and rain falls
zhí zi shǒu chuīsàn cāngmáng máng yānbō
Wave your hand to disperse the endless mist
dà yú de chìbǎng yǐjīng tài liáokuò
The wings of the big fish are already too vast
wǒ sōng kāi shíjiān de shéngsuǒ
I release the rope that’s binding time

pà nǐ fēiyuǎn qù
I fear you’ll fly away,
pà nǐ lí wǒ ér qù
Fear you’ll fly far from me
gèng pà nǐ yǒngyuǎn tíngliú zài zhèlǐ
But I fear more that you’ll forever stay
měi yīdī lèishuǐ dōu xiàng nǐ liútǎng qù
Every drop of my tears all flow straight home to you
dàoliú jìn tiānkōng de hǎidǐ
Running to the seabed of the sky

hǎilàng wúshēng jiāng yè mùshēn shēn yānmò
Ocean waves silently drown the deep darkness
mànguò tiānkōng jìntóu de jiǎoluò
Spilling into the end of the sky
dà yú zài mèngjìng de fèngxì lǐ yóuguò
The big fish swims through the cracks in your dream’s edge
níngwàng nǐ chénshuì de lúnkuò
Gazing at your sleeping silhouette

kàn hǎitiān yīsè tīngfēng qǐ yǔluò
Sea and sky are one, wind howls and rain falls
zhí zi shǒu chuīsàn cāngmáng máng yānbō
Wave your hand to disperse the endless mist
dà yú de chìbǎng yǐjīng tài liáokuò
The wings of the big fish are already too vast
wǒ sōng kāi shíjiān de shéngsuǒ
I release the rope that’s binding time

kàn nǐ fēiyuǎn qù
I see you fly away
kàn nǐ lí wǒ ér qù
See you fly far from me
yuánlái nǐ shēnglái jiùshǔ yú tiānjì
You always belonged to the boundless sky
měi yīdī lèishuǐ dōuxiàng nǐ liútǎng qù
Every drop of tears all flow straight home to you
dàoliú huí zuìchū de xiāngyù
Back in time to the moment we met

yōu lán cāo (幽兰操)
Secluded Orchid

Lán zhī yī yī,
The orchid blooms
yángyáng qí xiāng.
Peacefully allowing its scent
Zhòng xiāng gǒng zhī,
To waft through the air
yōuyōu qí fāng.
Spreading a faint sweetness

Bù cǎi ér pèi,
But it’s not meant to be plucked and worn
yú lán hé shāng?
For wouldn’t that hurt the orchid?
Yǐ rì yǐ nián,
Through the days and years
wǒ xíng sìfāng.
I have traveled in all directions

Wénwáng mèng xióng,
King Wen dreamed of a bear
wèishuǐ yāng yāng.
And prosperity later graced his kingdom
Cǎi ér pèi zhī,
If you pluck and wear the orchid,
yìyì qīng fāng.
Its fragrance will soon fade

Xuě shuāng mào mào,
The snow and frost are, too, beautiful
lěi lěi yú dōng,
They are the blooms of winter
jūnzǐ zhī shǒu,
Their protection and prosperity
zǐsūn zhī chāng.
Allow for the prosperity of the spring that follows

Wénwáng mèng xióng,
King Wen dreamed of a bear
wèishuǐ yāng yāng.
And prosperity later graced his kingdom
Cǎi ér pèi zhī,
If you pluck and wear the orchid,
yìyì qīng fāng.
Its fragrance will soon fade

Xuě shuāng mào mào,
The snow and frost are, too, beautiful
lěi lěi yú dōng,
They are the blooms of winter
jūnzǐ zhī shǒu,
Their protection and prosperity
zǐsūn zhī chāng.
Allow for the prosperity of the spring that follows

Lán zhī yī yī,
The orchid blooms
yángyáng qí xiāng.
Peacefully allowing its scent
Zhòng xiāng gǒng zhī,
To waft through the air
yōuyōu qí fāng.
Spreading a faint sweetness

Sebben, crudele
Although, cruel love

Sebben, crudele
Although, cruel love,
Mi fai languir
You make me languish
Sempre fedele
I will always
Ti voglio amar
Love you true

Con la lunghezza
With the patience
Del mio servir
Of my serving
La tua fierezza
I will be able to tire out
Sapro stanca
Your pride

O kühler Wald
O cool forest

O kühler Wald,
O cool forest,
Wo rauschest du,
In which my beloved walks,
In dem mein Liebchen geht?
Where are you murmuring?
O Widerhall,
O echo,
Wo lauschest du,
Where are you listening,
Der gern mein Lied versteht?
Who love to understand my song?

Im Herzen tief,
Deep in the heart
Da rauscht der Wald,
Is where the forest murmurs,
In dem mein Liebchen geht,
In which my beloved walks,
In Schmerzen schlief
The echo
Der Widerhall,
Fell asleep in sorrow,
Die Lieder sind verweht.
The songs have blown away.

Romance
Romance

L’âme évaporée et souffrante,
The spent and suffering soul,
L’âme douce, l’âme odorante
The sweet soul, the soul steeped
Des lis divins que j’ai cueillis
In the divine lilies I gathered
Dans le jardin de ta pensée,
In the garden of your thoughts,
Où donc les vents l’ont-ils chassée,
Where have the winds dispersed it,
Cette âme adorable des lis?
This adorable lilies’ soul?

N’est-il plus un parfum qui reste
Does not a single scent remain
De la suavité céleste
Of the heavenly softness
Des jours où tu m’enveloppais
Of the days when you enclosed me
D’une vapeur surnaturelle,
In a supernatural mist,
Faite d’espoir, d’amour fidèle,
Made of hope, of faithful love,
De béatitude et de paix?
Of bliss and of peace?

Alex Fountain is a 3rd year computer science major with dual minors in Mandarin Chinese and music performance: voice. She has been playing acoustic and electric guitar for several years, and has been studying vocal music for the last three years at North Carolina State University. Her a cappella group, Chordination A Cappella, has been one of the leading factors in her growth as a musician and vocalist: she regularly helps arrange music for the group and performs in concerts with them each semester.

Yi Chen is a 3rd year PhD student studying bioelectronics engineering at NC State. Yi studied piano with various professors from Central Conservatory of Music (Beijing, China), Santa Cecilia Conservatory (Rome, Italy), and Royal Conservatory of Music (London, UK), where he earned a licentiate certification. He then focused on composition, conducting, and collaborative piano at Duke University, graduating in 2022 with degrees in music, electrical engineering, and computer science. Yi is also a vocalist specializing in Baroque period music. In his free time, Yi is an avid aviator and volunteers as a SAR/DR mission pilot for Civil Air Patrol.

Sam Prochnau is a junior at NC State studying aerospace engineering with a minor in piano performance. Sam has played piano for 14 years, studying first under Irene Fix and currently under Dr. Olga Kleiankina. As a soloist, Sam has experience performing recitals in both North Carolina and his home state of Pennsylvania, and has performed in numerous masterclasses with distinguished piano professors from across the country. Sam also enjoys accompanying, reaching the 2022 Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) All-State choir conference, accompanying the Raleigh Civic Chamber Orchestra, and playing with various other ensembles and soloists.

Joshua Aycock is a junior at NC State studying Industrial and Systems Engineering with minors in Business Administration and Trumpet Performance. Joshua will do his first Co-Op rotation at Restor3d as a Manufacturing Engineer in the Spring. Joshua has played Trumpet for 10 years. He studied with Tim Stewart for 7 years and is now in his 3rd year of studying with John Manning at NC State. Joshua currently plays in the Wind Ensemble, Raleigh Civic Symphony, and Trumpet Choir.

Ellie Murray is a senior in aerospace engineering, and has played the flute for over 11 years. She was delighted to join the wind ensemble and Music Performance Minor programs upon enrolling at NC State, and greatly enjoys performing alone and with others.

Katya Kramer-Lapin is a dynamic and versatile musician, captivating audiences as a pianist, recording artist, and educator. Her career has flourished across diverse genres and stages, showcasing her exceptional talent and passion for music.

Niasha Kodzai is in her final semester at NC State, studying Industrial Design. In addition to her Music Vocal Performance Minor, she is also minoring in Psychology. She has enjoyed being an active member of the music department. She started her journey with the music department her sophomore year as an alto in University Singers. Then, she later joined the alto section of State Chorale (where she has been for the past three semesters). She has also spent the last three and a half years as a member of Mu Beta Psi (the Music Service Fraternity that was started at NC State), where she has served as a New Member Educator and a Historian. She also had the opportunity to study abroad in Melbourne, Australia in 2023, where she participated in the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology’s (RMIT) CORPS choir.

Yi Chen is a 3rd year PhD student studying bioelectronics engineering at NC State. Yi studied piano with various professors from Central Conservatory of Music (Beijing, China), Santa Cecilia Conservatory (Rome, Italy), and Royal Conservatory of Music (London, UK), where he earned a licentiate certification. He then focused on composition, conducting, and collaborative piano at Duke University, graduating in 2022 with degrees in music, electrical engineering, and computer science. Yi is also a vocalist specializing in Baroque period music. In his free time, Yi is an avid avia

Ben Arcuri is a senior in civil engineering with a strong concentration in structural engineering, with a minor in music performance. Ben performed in multiple high level ensembles in high school, and has continued his endeavors into college. Playing in the wind ensemble for 4 semesters, sitting first chair during the performance in the Royal College of Music in London, playing in multiple NCSU ensembles, and acting as section leader in the marching band for 3 years, Ben is finishing his college music career this semester with this recital. Enjoy!

English translation © Jacqueline Cockburn

On the delicate fabric in the shop
there fell a stain.

It sells for less
For it has lost its value
Ay!

English translation © Richard Wigmore

Holy night, you sink down;
Dreams, too, float down,
Like your moonlight through space,
Through the silent hearts of men.
They listen with delight,
Crying out when day awakes:
Come back, holy night!
Fair dreams, return!

English translation © Bertram Kottmann

Sorrowful image of my Phyllis,
Why are you so dreary at my side?
What more do you desire? Bitter tears
Why are you so dreary at my side?
Have I poured on your ashes.

Do you fear that, forgetful of my sacred vows,
I might be inflamed by another?
Phyllis’

Landon Perry is a third year at NC State, studying communication and vocal performance. He has enjoyed involvement with the NCSU Department of Performing Arts and Technology throughout his time at NC State. His journey with the department began in 2022 when he joined the NC State Chorale and Chamber Choir as a bass during his first semester. From there he went on to join Grains of Time, State’s premier all-male a cappella group, and has continued to serve on the group’s executive board since 2023. Outside of the department, Landon enjoys spending time with friends and working to expand his involvement and service to NC State through programs such as The Caldwell Fellows, Chancellor’s Aides, and Student Alumni Association Ambassadors.

Yi Chen is a 3rd year PhD student studying bioelectronics engineering at NC State. Yi studied piano with various professors from Central Conservatory of Music (Beijing, China), Santa Cecilia Conservatory (Rome, Italy), and Royal Conservatory of Music (London, UK), where he earned a licentiate certification. He then focused on composition, conducting, and collaborative piano at Duke University, graduating in 2022 with degrees in music, electrical engineering, and computer science. Yi is also a vocalist specializing in Baroque period music. In his free time, Yi is an avid aviator and volunteers as a SAR/DR mission pilot for Civil Air Patrol.

Jade Vogelsong is a senior pursuing a Bachelor’s of Science in Statistics with minors in mathematics, data science, and music performance. During their time at NC State, they have sung with Chamber Singers, Choral Artists, and State Chorale as a section leader. At First Cary United Methodist Church, Jade serves as a soprano Choral Scholar. Jade is a proud member of Alpha Phi Gamma, Inc., and Mu Beta Psi, a national music service fraternity, where she combines her passion for music with community service.

Anna Muchukot is a 4th year chemical engineering student with minors in vocal performance and global leadership. Anna is from Marietta, Georgia and has had a passion for music her whole life. At NC State, she sings with Ladies in Red, Chamber Singers, and State Chorale where she is a section leader. Additionally, she is in Kappa Alpha Theta and Mu Beta Psi and has held multiple leadership positions in both.

Yi Chen is a 3rd year PhD student studying bioelectronics engineering at NC State. Yi studied piano with various professors from Central Conservatory of Music (Beijing, China), Santa Cecilia Conservatory (Rome, Italy), and Royal Conservatory of Music (London, UK), where he earned a licentiate certification. He then focused on composition, conducting, and collaborative piano at Duke University, graduating in 2022 with degrees in music, electrical engineering, and computer science. Yi is also a vocalist specializing in Baroque period music. In his free time, Yi is an avid aviator and volunteers as a SAR/DR mission pilot for Civil Air Patrol.

Justin is a junior studying Music Technology and minoring in Computer Programming. He is from Greensboro, North Carolina. He started playing bass in the sixth-grade orchestra and has fallen in love with music since then. He was introduced to jazz music when he joined his high school jazz band in ninth grade. Throughout high school, he continued to play jazz and classical music. In college, he focused most of his attention on jazz, where he participated in the NC State Jazz Orchestra and Cates Avenue Jazz Combo.

As a junior, I have participated in many ensembles such as the Jazz Orchestra, Cates Avenue Jazz Combo, and marching band. Throughout my time at NC State, I have had the opportunity to grow tremendously as a musician under the direction of Dr. Parker and Dr. Foureman. Tonight I am excited to share with you a few tunes I have been working on.