Jul

30

San Diego Symphony to premiere SDG-commissioned work by Daniel Kellogg

Filed Under Kellogg: The Fiery Furnace, Concerts, Interviews, Commissions | Leave a Comment

Jahja Ling - Music Director, San Diego SymphonyOn April 25, 26 and 27, 2008, the San Diego Symphony will present the premiere performances of a new oratorio by celebrated American composer Daniel Kellogg. Written under commission from Soli Deo Gloria, Kellogg’s new work highlights a dramatic scriptural story from the book of Daniel. The composer recently commented on his approach to the new work:

The story has a wonderful dramatic arch that works well for oratorio style story telling. The Israelites are captive in Babylon. Certain Israelites have been appointed to serve in the court of King Nebuchadnezzar. He is constantly trying to get the Israelites to worship his gods or bow to his desires, which go against their beliefs. In this story he builds a giant image of gold, and demands that all the people in the land worship the image when they hear the sound of every kind of music. Three Israelites serving in his courts refuse and he threatens to throw them into the burning fiery furnace. They continue to refuse and they are bound and thrown into the furnace. God saves them, and King Nebuchadnezzar is humbled and calls for all to praise the God of the Israelites.

This story offers many musical possibilities. There is the wild music that calls people to worship the image of gold, the terrifying music that accompanies the scene of the furnace, and the ecstatic music of praise that ends the story. In addition to Daniel 3, I’m using passages from Daniel 9 (Daniel confesses the corporate sins of Israel and asks for God’s mercy), and numerous psalms. These extra passages are fleshing out the thoughts and prayers of the Israelites and the three Jewish advisors who are thrown into the furnace. A tenor will sing the part of one of the priests and a baritone will sing the part of King Nebuchadnezzar. The chorus will echo the thoughts of the vocal soloists as they sing parts of both the Israelites and the people in the land of Babylon.Daniel Kellogg

It is a thrilling opportunity to write a 30-minute piece for chorus and orchestra. Full symphony orchestra is my favorite medium to write for, and the addition of a chorus makes it even better. I have always enjoyed writing pieces that have a large emotional scope and this story is perfect for that. I am eagerly anticipating the premiere next April.

Joining the San Diego Symphony for the premiere performances will be soloists Nicholas Phan and Stephen Richardson and the San Diego Master Chorale, under the direction of the orchestra’s Music Director, Jahja Ling. “This oratorio will have a great impact on the audience who hears it, especially because of its origin in the book of Daniel”, said Ling. “The San Diego Symphony, the San Diego Master Chorale and our soloists are looking forward to this great, momentous event.”

Tickets for the April 2008 performances of The Fiery Furnace will be available for purchase beginning Monday, July 31, 2007. Call the San Diego Symphony ticket office at 619-235-0804 or click here to purchase tickets online.

Jul

10

Fanfare Magazine Reviews Bach in Notre-Dame de Paris DVD

Filed Under Bach: Mass in B Minor, Recordings | Leave a Comment

Fanfare magazine hails the Soli Deo Gloria sponsored DVD, Bach in Notre-Dame de Paris, as a “winner.” “Nelson’s direction is intensely expressive and meticulously shaped, building to climactic moments that are truly thrilling.” The Maitrise de Notre-Dame de Paris is praised as “superbly disciplined and obviously committed.” Click here to read the entire review. The DVD is available for purchase at www.SDGmusic.org/Recordings.

Jul

3

Delta David Gier interview posted on “Christians in the Arts” blog

Filed Under Interviews | Leave a Comment

Delta David GierConductor Delta David Gier, Music Director of the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra and Associate Artistic Director of Soli Deo Gloria, was recently interviewed by LeAnne Benfield Martin and featured on Ms. Martin’s blog, Christians in the Arts. The interview is posted in two segments, Bringing Life to Composers’ Gifts and Authenticity.

Jul

2

Stephanie Blythe to perform at Ravinia

Filed Under Concerts | Leave a Comment

Mezzo-soprano Stephanie Blythe’s voice “blazes out with a touch of steel at its edges in the lower notes, the roundness of soft trumpets on the top ones. It pulls a listener to the edge of his seat.” —The New York Times

Ravinia will host mezzo-soprano Stephanie Blythe and pianist Warren Jones on Monday, August 6, 2007. The program will include selections from Joplin and Berlin and Vignettes: Ellis Island by Alan Smith. Ms. Blythe premiered Vignettes: Ellis Island, a song cycle written especially for her by Alan Smith, and which was subsequently featured in a special television program entitled “Vignettes: An Evening with Stephanie Blythe and Warren Jones,” presented by Opera News on the WNYE television series Opera New York. The 8:00 pm Ravinia performance will be held in the Martin Theater. For tickets and more information click here to visit Ravinia’s website.

The winner of the 1999 Richard Tucker Award, mezzo-soprano Stephanie Blythe has rapidly become one of the most highly respected artists of her generation. She has appeared in the great opera houses of the world including the Metropolitan Opera, Seattle Opera, Opera Company of Philadelphia, Royal Opera House Covent Garden, and the Opera National de Paris. On the concert stage, Ms. Blythe has appeared with many of the world’s finest orchestras including the New York Philharmonic, Boston Symphony, Chicago Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony and the Philadelphia Orchestra. The many conductors with whom she has worked include Harry Bicket, James Conlon, Charles Dutoit, Mark Elder, Christoph Eschenbach, James Levine, Sir Charles Mackerras, John Nelson and Michael Tilson Thomas. Ms. Blythe’s most recent solo CD, a collection of pieces by Mahler, Brahms, and Wagner was released on the Virgin Classics label. Stephanie Blythe is a member of Soli Deo Gloria’s Honorary Board of Directors.