Soli Deo Gloria

Project Uplift: Hungary 2010

In the work of Project Uplift, we usually seek to bring great works of sacred music to regions of the world where they are seldom heard. In 2010, however, Project Uplift went to Hungary, where there is already an abundance of music and arts in this center of Eastern European culture.

For two weeks, SDG had the opportunity to support the work of Crescendo International at their Crescendo Summer Institute of the Arts, August 2-16, 2010, in Sárospatak, just outside of Budapest. Something along the lines of the MasterWorks Festival in the U.S., the Institute provides aspiring young musicians a chance to work with master musicians in an atmosphere where creativity and exploration happen and in recognition of artists connections to the Creator, The Institute is organized by the Song for the Nations Cultural Foundation, whose aim is to discover talented young artists and strengthen them in their art and faith to help create a positive impact in post-communist countries.

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Project Uplift: Costa Rica 2009

History was made when SDG returned to Costa Rica in 2009 when conductor John Nelson led the National Symphony Orchestra and Chorus of Costa Rica in the first known performance of J. S. Bach’s Mass in B Minor in the history of Central America.(See Project Uplift: Costa Rica 2006 for details on the first visit.) The concerts took place in the capital city of San José on Friday, June 12, and Sunday, June 14, with the National Symphony Orchestra and Chorus of Costa Rica, and soloists Michelle Areyzaga, Denise Gamez, Edward Mout and Stephen Morscheck.

 

John Nelson rehearsing with the
National Symphony Orchestra of Costa Rica.

Project Uplift: Romania 2009

Soli Deo Gloria partnered with Crescendo and Jubilate in sponsoring the study and performance of Haydn’s oratorio The Creation in Romania. Oratorium, a week-long master course, is designed to encourage young professional musicians to encounter sacred music through musical excellence. SDG’s Associate Artistic Director, Delta David Gier, led the orchestra and choir in performances in the cities of Cluj, Brasov and Sibiu. The spiritual impact of performing this masterpiece of sacred music was felt by audiences and performers alike, in a country where just 20 years ago a performance like this would have been banned.

Maestro Gier shares his thoughts
on Project Uplift Romania.

Project Uplift: Russia 2007

In October 2007, took its musical mission deep into Eastern Europe in sponsoring performances of Gabriel Faure’s Requiem and Anton Bruckner’s Te Deum in the city of Ekaterinburg, Russia. The Sverdlovsk State Philharmonic presented two performances under the direction of American conductor Alan Heatherington. The programs also included a third work, also with a sacred orientation, American composer William Schuman’s New England Triptych, which was added to the program in response to a suggestion from the American Consulate in Ekaterinburg

 

Alan Heatherington leads the
Ural Philharmonic Orchestra and the
Domestik Municipal Choir of Ekaterinburg
in the opening of the fifth movement
of Faure's Requiem, the Agnus Dei.

Project Uplift: Costa Rica 2006

In October 2006, Soli Deo Gloria sponsored performances with the National Symphony Orchestra of Costa Rica, the National Symphony Chorus and the Cafe Chorale. Under the direction of John Nelson, the ensembles performed Giuseppe Verdi’s Four Sacred Pieces and Felix Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 4, the “Italian Symphony.” This endeavor was made possible through generous support from the Strachan Foundation.

 

 

Rehearsal and performance highlights,
from Costa Rica, plus an interview
with conductor John Nelson

Project Uplift: Armenia 2005

SDG finished the year of 2005 with a Project Uplift sponsorship in Yerevan, Armenia. SDG's Artistic Director, John Nelson, led the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus in a performance of Mozart's Great Mass in C Minor. The program also featured Beethoven's "Triple Concerto" for piano, violin, cello and orchestra. The performance was video recorded and has since been re-broadcast several times in Armenia.

Project Uplift: Ukraine 2003

In a second partnership with Music Mission Kiev (see Project Uplift: Ukraine 1997), conductor Delta David Gier led the Kiev Symphonic Choir and Orchestra in a performance of Berlioz’ Requiem. The concert took place before a standing-room-only audience of roughly 1,200 at St. Nicolas Catholic Church in Kiev, Ukraine.

Project Uplift: Ukraine 1997

In partnership with Music Mission Kiev, SDG brought Mendelssohn's Symphony No. 2 (Hymn of Praise) and his Symphony No. 5 (Reformation) to the people of the Ukraine. The performance took place in Kiev and featured the Kiev Symphonic Choir and Orchestra led by John Nelson.

Project Uplift: China 1996

Together with the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra and the Shanghai Philharmonic Chorus, SDG’s first Project Uplift supported the first-ever performance of Brahms' Ein deutsches Requiem in the history of China. In an effort to give the three performances a special significance to Chinese audiences, we commissioned Chinese composer Bright Sheng to translate the text of the Requiem into Chinese, enabling the chorus and soloists to sing the entire work in the vernacular. Co-sponsored by the General Motors Corporation and the Chinese Cultural Institute.