John Nelson radio interviews

I’m finally getting around to posting a few radio interviews with conductor John Nelson that took place last fall. SDG fans may find these of interest. In the first interview, a conversation with Greg Wheatley of Moody Radio, Maestro Nelson remarks on SDG in general and discusses the situation with sacred music in China. The second interview was conducted by Carl Grapentine of WFMT and focuses on SDG’s commission project with composer Peter Bannister - the outcome of which was a new oratorio titled Et iterum venturus est (from the Nicene Creed, meaning “And he shall come again”). My thanks to Moody Radio and WFMT for allowing me to post these conversations.

November 2008, Moody Radio interview

December 2008, WFMT interview

March 27, 2009 | Filed Under Bannister: Et iterum venturus est, SDG general | Leave a Comment

Thoughts, words, music

Peter Bannister leads the EOP in rehearsal

Before composing the music of his oratorio Et iterum venturus est, Peter Bannister spent the better part of a year, or more, contemplating the work’s theological underpinnings. The text of the new work is made up entirely of scripture passages chosen and arranged by the composer, and set in Latin. An English translation of the text is available for download by clicking here.The composer’s thoughtful approach to structure and focus is evident. The seven movements of Et iterum venturus est are as follows:

1) Fall and Protoevangelion
2) Prophecy
3) Incarnation
4) Kenosis
5) Resurrection
6) Ascension
7) Parousia (Second Coming)

Peter Bannister leads a rehearsal of 'Et iterum venturus est' I’m impressed with the work’s cosmic embrace and piecing together of scriptural narratives addressing Christ’s comings into the world, beginning with the fall of man, traversing Messianic prophecy, including the gospel account of Christ’s life on earth and concluding with anticipation of his Second Coming. But really, it’s no surprise to me that Peter would approach this project with such profound spiritual vision. One of the great privileges I’ve enjoyed in my work with SDG is to get to know Peter and to see his gifts at work, including his brilliance in connecting the dots between music and faith. For example I encourage you to check out www.ThinkingFaith.org, the online journal of the British Jesuits, where just last week was posted an article by Peter addressing the religious views of composer Olivier Messiaen—a discussion prompted in part by Norman Lebrecht’s recent article, Why Messaien doesn’t raise my spirits.

December 9, 2008 Concert Poster I hope very much that Et iterum venturus est will be heard again soon! Ideas have already surfaced for performances at several venues/festivals in Europe, which we’ll seriously pursue. Meanwhile, nothing I could provide by way of verbal description could substitute for the experience of hearing the music itself, but thankfully the Ensemble Orchestral de Paris kindly granted permission for me to post video footage of the rehearsals, which at least provides a glimpse. I plan to post more of that soon…

December 16, 2008 | Filed Under Bannister: Et iterum venturus est, Olivier Messiaen, Faith | Leave a Comment

Inside the Église de la Sainte-Trinité

Rehearsal of Et interum venturus est

Prior to yesterday afternoon, rehearsals for Peter Bannister’s oratorio Et iterum venturus est took place in a rehearsal facility in Alfortville (pictured above), about 45 minutes away from the city center. It’s a nice space as far as rehearsal rooms go, but still it’s a small room containing a large piece of music, great for fine-tuning detail but not for getting the overall effect.

What a change it was yesterday to hear the piece in the space where it will be premiered this evening. The acoustics and sight lines in La Trinité church are striking and create a great backdrop for experiencing this new work.

A few photos from this afternoon…

La Trinite Church - SDGmusic.org

La Trinite Church, Paris

Peter is doing a great job of rising to the challenge of conducting this piece. He knows the music from the inside out, and the Ensemble orchestral de Paris is playing magnificently for him. Here’s a bit of video from yesterday afternoon’s rehearsal:

December 9, 2008 | Filed Under Bannister: Et iterum venturus est, Videos | Leave a Comment

Music soon to be born

La Trinite Church, Paris This week, a new musical work will be born under sponsorship from Soli Deo Gloria. Composer Peter Bannister has written a massive, one-hour work with an absolutely epic libretto. After several years of discussing and anticipating this project, I heard parts of the music for the first time at a rehearsal here in Paris yesterday. Et iterum venturus est (from the Nicene Creed, meaning “And he shall come again”) is a marvelously complex, colorful and engaging work of art with an almost haunting sense of gravitas–a major part of which comes from the text itself which is woven together from prophetic passages in both the Old and New Testaments.

Conductor John Nelson comments
on the commissioning of Et iterum venturus est.
Audio courtesy of WFMT, December 2008.

I look forward to sharing more on this project as the week progresses. For now, I’ll just comment on the enormous priviledge that is mine and Soli Deo Gloria’s in working with Peter Bannister. His vision for this work is utterly intriguing and inspiring. Et iterum venturus est was written in the shadow of the great composer Olivier Messiaen and is being premiered this week on the occasion of what would be the late composer’s 100th birthday. This will take place at La Trinité (pictured above), the church where Messiaen served as organist for over 60 years.

Peter’s understanding of Messiaen’s music and theology is profound. The video below was taken this morning at a discussion forum Peter lead at the American Cathedral.

More to follow…