AUDIO CLIPS
"Perhaps more music has grown out of human spiritual aspirations than any other source. Reaching for the divine through song unites communities in moments of both sadness and celebration...and has contributed to the musical tradition of each of the cultures of humankind" (from May 2010 Program Notes by Randy Cornell). Below Dean's pre-concert lecture are audio clips from the GSJC's May 2010 concert, entitled "From Earth to the Skies: Music of Soul and Spirit," the repertoire of which was inspired by "the literature of musical expression".
Pre-concert Discussion - "Dixit Dominus"
Artistic Director Dean Rishel shares his enthusiasm for our upcoming concert as he discusses a young Handel, our professional soloists, and the fascinating variety of the second half of our presentation!
Behold the Bridegroom Comes (Se zhenih griadet) - Alexander Gretchaninoff
Written in Old Church Slavonic (which preceded modern Russian), this hymn from the Orthodox liturgy was composed for a Passion Week cycle of hymns that premiered in 1911. Gretchaninoff uses a melody, lying mainly in the soprano voice, based on a Kievan Chant. (Performed live - May 22, 2010)
Bright Canaan (Traditional - arr. Shaw/Parker)
A favorite at old-time religious awakenings and something of a utility hymn, "Bright Canaan" is an example of the tunes that emerged from 18th century New England to become a staple of Early American Hymnody. (Performed live - May 2010)
Sanctus (from Mass of the Interval) - Dean Rishel
Composed by Dean Rishel, Artistic Director of the Greater South Jersey Chorus, the Mass of the Interval is a modern interpretation of the ancient form of Roman Catholic Mass. Mr. Rishel has grounded each movement of the Mass in a progression of musical intervals. The melody of "Sanctus" is based on the interval of the fifth, soaring upwards in what has been described as the "most ethereally beautiful of the movements". (Performed live - May 2010)