Behind the scenes

As with the SDG-sponsored B Minor Mass DVD a few years ago, I enjoyed taking in part of the recent Beethoven production in Lisbon from the confines of the video production trailer parked outside the concert hall. This was truly command central, or, as a friend aptly put it, “controlled chaos,” with buttons and monitors everywhere, and people directing the movements of the camera crew inside the hall. Here are a few shots from my perch behind the scenes.

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March 8, 2010 | Filed Under Beethoven in Lisbon | Leave a Comment

The difference between art and entertainment?

Stained glass - Alice Millar Chapel, Chicago

The question of art versus entertainment was on my mind last weekend after reading a NY Times article spotlighting a recent panel discussion at Carnegie Hall organized by the World Economic Forum. There at Carnegie, the question was raised as to the difference between art and entertainment. Among the answers given were the following:

“Art is a necessity and entertainment is a luxury.” - Deborah Borda, President of the Los Angeles Philharmonic

Art is enduring. - James D. Wolfensohn, former President of the World Bank and former Chairman of Carnegie Hall

Art can be life-changing, but entertainment “need not be” - Hilda Ochoa-Brillembourg, CEO of Strategic Investment Group and Chairman of the Youth Orchestra of the Americas

To this list I would add that art addresses the whole person, body, mind and spirit, whereas entertainment doesn’t. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve got nothing against entertainment. I would even argue that entertainment is important in some contexts and measure. And I’d add that the line between art and entertainment can be blurred, and often is, sometimes in beautifully skillful ways.

Getting back to the Times article, the answer that will no doubt stick with me the longest came from The Economist’s New York Bureau Chief, Matthew Bishop: People pay for entertainment. Art is subsidized.

March 4, 2010 | Filed Under Culture | Leave a Comment

Jazz Passion to premiere in Chicago

In addition to being a talented musician and just a delightful person to know, composer Andy Tecson is a former member of the board of SDG, and recently he’s joined with several colleagues in composing a jazz setting of the Passion of Christ. I’m told that this production, which premieres in Chicago on March 20, just might be the first ever jazz setting of the Passion. Fans of sacred jazz will find this of great interest. Three cheers for Andy and his colleagues for their creative work!

The world premiere of the Jazz Passion will take place at 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 20, 2010 at the Saint Luke Lutheran Church, 1500 W. Belmont, Chicago. The libretto was written by Pastor David Abrahamson, Senior Pastor of Saint Luke Lutheran Church, 1500 W. Belmont, Chicago (www.stlukechicago.org). Bobby Lewis (www.bobbylewis.com), Bobby Schiff (www.bobbyschiffmusic.com) and Andy Tecson (a member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Naperville) (www.churchjazz.com) composed and arranged the music. Admission is free and free parking is available.

This may be the first setting of the Passion of Christ to jazz music. This new work tells the story of the last days of Christ’s life, starting with the temptation of Christ in the wilderness and ending with His resurrection. It will be approximately 60 to 75 minutes in length. Pastor Abrahamson’s text reveals Christ’s final journey in a new and fresh light. While being completely faithful to the scriptures, his interpretation is creative and insightful. For example, in the temptation of Christ, Jesus sings: “Push me Spirit, give me shove. In the dusty wilderness, there is God’s love. For you, for me, for all, the beginning of the end of the fall.” Andy Tecson has set that text to a Latin rhythm. At the last supper, the text is built around the theme of “recall, retain, repeat, review, remember.” Bobby Schiff has set this text to a slow gospel waltz. In the triumphant finale, the text has a refrain of “It’s the grace connection, through Christ’s resurrection, for you, for me and for all.” Bobby Lewis embellishes the text with an uplifting choral and instrumental work which continually builds momentum and excitement.

Bob Bowker (www.lakesidesingers.com) will sing the role of Jesus. Bob’s work as a singer, composer, arrange, producer and conductor touches every genre of music, including his work as a singer with the Robert Shaw Chorale at Carnegie Hall, and founding and conducting the Lakeside Singers, a superb professional choral ensemble. In addition to being a composer, arranger and producer, Bobby Lewis is one of the leading trumpet players in Chicago, whose experience includes serving as Peggy Lee’s music director, and performing with artists such as Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald and Tony Bennett. Bobby Schiff is a pianist, composer, arranger and producer who has performed with artists such as Mel Torme, Peggy Lee and Marvin Hamlisch. Each of these musicians has participated in thousands of recording sessions.

Justin Sisul, director of music at St. Cletus Church in LaGrange, will be the conductor. The band also includes Ken Jandes, Jerry Coleman, Stewart Miller, Tim Coffman, Geraldo DeOliveira, Mark Olen, John Blane, Pat Ferreri and Jerry DeMuzio, all of whom are extraordinary jazz musicians. Vocal solo and vocal quartet roles will be sung by Daniel Riley, Dawn Holt Lauber, Gayle Bisesi and David Molnar. The choir will include Beverly Coleman and Lakeside Singers members Angel Barrette, Lisa Bowker, Melissa Smithson, Dan MacDonald, Andrew Distel and Jon Negus.

Pastor David Abrahamson, Laura Abrahamson and Janice Pohl have designed the staging and lighting for the work. Mark Jandes has designed the sound. St. Luke Church provides a stunning space to experience this new work. If you have any questions, you can contact Pastor David Abrahamson at 773-472-3383.

March 3, 2010 | Filed Under Sacred Jazz, Concerts | Leave a Comment

Back from Lisbon

Missa Solemnis in Lisbon, Portugal

Despite the terrible virus I picked up recently in the middle of my visit to Lisbon, my time there was exciting and rewarding. It’s a beautiful city, but, as usual with SDG adventures, I didn’t have nearly as much time to explore and enjoy the area as I’d like. Regardless, the things that kept me otherwise occupied were worthy distractions from would-be sight seeing - meetings, meetings, meetings. One major topic of conversation was SDG’s next video project, which I’ll write about soon. Suffice it to say that Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis won’t be the the last piece to get the SDG/Ideale Audience treatment - stunning live video broadcast (excuse my bias) and DVD production-in-the-making. If you haven’t checked out the broadcast video, do stop by Medici.tv and have a look.

The concert was fantastic. Missa Solemnis is a demanding piece for the performers and the audience, which may explain why it doesn’t get programmed nearly as often as many other choral/orchestral works from the 19th century, including Beethoven’s 9th symphony. But in this production the soloists, choir and orchestra were all clearly up to the challenge. See John Nelson’s remarks at http://www.sdgmusic.org/nelson/?p=31

Church of Santa Maria, Jeronimos Monastery, Lisbon

A great bunch of SDG travelers came together for the trip and I enjoyed the camaraderie. It’s energizing to be around people who enjoy great music and value SDG’s work. One of the delights we enjoyed together was visiting the Church of Santa Maria at Jeronimos Monastery, a stunning site. I’ve come to love taking in great sacred spaces like that. So far, Chartres Cathedral is the front-runner in my book. I’ve visited Chartres twice and would gladly go back again. To return some day and hear a great choir perform Allegri’s Miserere would be a little slice of heaven for me.

Church of Santa Maria, Jeronimos Monastery, Lisbon