May

16

A word from the Executive Director

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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

May

1

‘Lumen de Lumine’ in review

Filed Under Bancks: Lumen de Lumine, Reviews, Videos, Commissions | Leave a Comment

Lumen de Lumine, Jacob Bancks’ SDG-commissioned concerto for piano and orchestra, received its premiere in March 2008, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The South Dakota Symphony and piano soloist and co-commissioner William Phemister performed Bancks’ new work under the direction of conductor Delta David Gier. Lumen de Lumine is inspired by the traditional Easter Vigil service from the Roman Catholic church.

In a review posted on argusleader.com, music enthusiast David Xenakis labeled Bancks’ piano concerto “a heady work of inventive vigor that never dodges the religiosity of the impulse behind it.” Xenakis describes the two movements of Bancks’ work in detail. “…there are successions of restless textures and colors that seem to grow out of each other, wending their way toward the energetic second movement. The unity of the [first] movement is shaped by the way sounds overlay other sounds, or melodic fragments are used over and over and coupled to each other in curious new juxtapositions.” “…if you cap the first movement with the second, what emerges is a superb unity that leaves a listener persuaded that the ending was inevitable.” Click here to read David Xenakis’ complete review of Lumen de Lumine.

Jacob Bancks: Lumen de Lumine (finale)
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