Aug

14

Peter Bannister to keynote symposium on Messiaen’s music, theology

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“Messiaen emerges as a prophet of hope against an historical backdrop of despair, his renewal of musical language being the logical outgrowth of faith in God’s promised renewal of the whole of creation. “

2007 - Peter Bannister speaks to an SDG group in ParisSo writes composer/musicologist Peter Bannister in preview of his keynote speech titled “Music and Theology: The Significance of Olivier Messiaen in Ecumenical Perspective”, which will be delivered at Southern Methodist University’s forthcoming symposium, Olivier Messiaen: The Musician as Theologian. The symposium is being presented by Perkins School of Theology and the Meadows School of Arts at Southern Methodist University in honor of the centennial anniversary of the composer’s birth, and will explore the musical and theological aspects of Messiaen’s work. This conference will be held September 24-27, 2008 on the campus of SMU in Dallas, Texas .

“While rooted in the historical particularity of the Roman Catholic church with its rich devotional and intellectual heritage, Messiaen’s vision is universal. True catholicity underpins his integration of elements from other traditions extending even to the non-Christian cultures of India and Japan. Believing in the God of all time and space, Messiaen is no respecter of geographical or temporal boundaries; all humanity is embraced by the coming consummation of the divine plan to which works such as the Quartet for the end of time or Et exspecto resurrectionem mortuorum are compelling pointers.”

- Peter Bannister
Click here for the full preview of Bannister’s keynote address

bannister-score.jpgPeter Bannister’s SDG-commissioned oratorio Et iterum venturus est (’And he shall come again’), written in homage to Olivier Messiaen, will receive its premiere on December 9, 2008 at La Trinite Church in Paris, where Messiaen served as organist for over 60 years. Click here for information on Bannister’s new work.

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Aug

13

A word from the Chairman

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Project Uplift - Costa Rica 2006Attending an SDG premiere or an SDG Project Uplift is an event that one long remembers. One of the high points of this spring, for me, was attending two SDG premieres. I heard SDG board member Delta David Gier conduct his South Dakota Symphony in a performance of composer Jacob Bancks’ work Lumen de Lumine. Pianist William Phemister co-commissioned the piece and was the soloist at the premiere. Bancks’ piece sparkled with creativity and left me with a mental image of the Easter Vigil Mass, from which the composer drew inspiration.The story of The Fiery Furnace is known by most since childhood. Composer Daniel Kellogg created a work for SDG that left you smelling the smoke and praising God for the brave trio that stood their ground before King Nebuchadnezzar. Jahja Ling conducted the San Diego Symphony and San Diego Master Chorale in three masterful performances. Robert Oury and Rotec Industries sponsored this commission.These two new works are significant contributions to the world of great sacred music and we pray that they will bless generations.

COMMISSIONS

Consider hearing Peter Bannister’s SDG-commissioned piece, Et iterum venturus est (“And He shall come again”), at its world premiere on December 9, 2008 in Paris. The composer has completed a choral/organ version of the piece and is now turning his attention to fleshing out the fully orchestrated version, which will be presented by L’Ensemble Orchestral de Paris, conducted by our Artistic Director, John Nelson. By using the combined themes of advent and the second coming of Christ, Peter Bannister’s piece will echo the underlying themes of Twentieth Century composer Olivier Messiaen’s music, with a focus on viewing our present world in light of the future. We are working on securing a US premiere for Et iterum venturus est. SDG board member Kathy Albain has taken leadership in raising funds for this project.

The journey from idea to performance is always an interesting one that takes years. The musical directors of SDG take an idea and match it with their choice of the best composer in the world for that piece. The composer must love the idea and have space in his/her schedule to create the work. A suitable venue for performance is arranged and funds are raised before the contract is signed. The joy and satisfaction at the first performance is definitely like the joy of the birth of a baby. Last year, you received the story of the beginnings of a new commission to be based on the figure of Noah. One of our advisors recently commented on the potential this project has to “awaken the conscience of people around the world to address the escalating global issues of violence, corruption and catastrophic climate change.” In this project, we see opportunity for broad impact on the global community. Discussions on themes for the work have included warning of the need for repentance, encouragement toward alternatives to violence and corruption, a call to respond to wide-spread devastation in the world and the reality of hope and promise.

PROJECT UPLIFT

In June 2009, John Nelson will conduct J.S. Bach’s Mass in B Minor, in his homeland, Costa Rica. This performance is the latest in a series of international concerts sponsored by SDG called Project Uplift, and it will facilitate the first performance of this Bach masterwork in Costa Rica’s history.

NEW PROJECTS

Many other projects, in varying stages of growth, are being developed by the SDG board and staff, including a commission series that will provide new music for the church, new DVD recordings of major sacred works, including Haydn’s The Creation, Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis, and Bach’s St. Matthew Passion, and an SDG-hosted conference on sacred music.

We celebrate God’s gift of music with you and thank you for your interest and support.


Richard G. Gieser
Chairman

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Jul

21

J. S. Bach’s Mass in B Minor comes to Costa Rica

Filed Under Project Uplift Costa Rica 2009, Concerts, Videos | Leave a Comment 

Teatro Nacional - San Jose, Costa RicaIn June of 2009, Soli Deo Gloria will return to Costa Rica to sponsor the country’s first ever performance of J. S. Bach’s Mass in B Minor. John Nelson will lead Costa Rica’s National Symphony Orchestra and National Symphony Choir in two performances of this sacred masterpiece, through SDG’s Project Uplift program.

Project Uplift is an international concert sponsorship program focused on world regions where major sacred works are rarely heard or where productions of these works present a significant financial challenge to the presenting organizations. In 2006, SDG sponsored performances of Verdi’s Four Sacred Pieces with the National Symphony Orchestra of Costa Rica, the National Symphony Choir and the Cafe Chorale–an endeavor made possible through generous support from the Strachan Foundation. Rehearsal and performance highlights and an interview with conductor John Nelson are featured in the video below.

Soli Deo Gloria is pleased to acknowledge the repeated generosity of the Strachan Foundation in enabling the return of Project Uplift to Costa Rica in 2009.

Click here for information on Project Uplift performances in China, Russia and elsewhere.

“…we were delighted with the depth of interpretation and attention to detail that Maestro Nelson drew from choirs and orchestra. As I told the choristers during the warm up on Friday night, we were under the direction of one of the best music communicators of today, and that they should allow themselves to enjoy the experience to its fullest.”

Ramiro A. Ramírez, Chorusmaster
SDG Project Uplift: Costa Rica 2006

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May

16

A word from the Executive Director

Filed Under Commissions | 2 Comments 

The work of Soli Deo Gloria continues and has sparked some exciting performances of sacred music in recent days. Here’s a brief summary:

Lumen de Lumine premieres in Sioux Falls, SDOn March 15 and 16, a new piano concerto was premiered by the South Dakota Symphony under the baton of its Music Director, Delta David Gier. The piece was written by composer Jacob Bancks under commission from SDG and piano soloist and project visionary William Phemister. Lumen de Lumine (“Light from Light”) is a work that celebrates the glory and mystery of Christ’s resurrection through musical reflection on the Easter Vigil Mass. And what a profound and engaging piece it is! With its intricate and captivating musical language, Lumen de Lumine is the sort of work that requires and rewards serious listening, much like the music of Olivier Messiaen whom Bancks counts among his “musical heroes.” Let’s hope that Lumen de Lumine receives many repeat performances as the composer’s career continues to blossom.

Dress rehearsal of The Fiery Furnace in San Diego, CAOne of the most beloved stories in the Bible was explored in music last month as the San Diego Symphony, the San Diego Master Chorale and conductor Jahja Ling presented three performances of a new work commissioned by SDG. With all its dramatic appeal, it’s a wonder that the account of The Fiery Furnace from the book of Daniel isn’t the subject of a greater number of concert works. For SDG, composer Daniel Kellogg created a 34-minute oratorio depicting the distress, remorse and resilient faith of the Jewish people, the vain glory of the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar and the true glory of God in deliverance from death. The imagination and skill at work in Kellogg’s oratorio impressed me greatly. The Fiery Furnace beautifully expresses SDG’s aim to wed musical excellence with scriptural texts, and it won standing ovations from audiences in San Diego.

Reflecting on these projects, I’m mindful that SDG supporters are the ones who ultimately made it all possible, through contributions great and small. So, huge thanks to all who are furthering this cause. I invite you to take joy in these achievements and in all that lies ahead. Expect great things!


Chandler Branch
Executive Director

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