SATB, S&T soloists &
Chamber Orchestra
SKU:
SU.80209801
For
SATB, S&T soloists &
Chamber Orchestra.
Composed by Daniel E.
Gawthrop. Vocal/Choral,
Sacred Choral. A
cappella. Choral Score.
Subito Music Corporation
#80209801. Published by
Subito Music Corporation
(SU.80209801).
Suitable for
concert or worship (esp.
All Saints) 1111; 2221;
timp, perc, hp, cel; stgs
Duration: 30'15 Text:
adapted from the New
Testament by Jane Griner
Published by: Dunstan
House Also available for
sale: Two churches, one
Presbyterian, one
Methodist, located in two
adjacent states, wanted
to commission a major
work for chorus and
orchestra to use in a
memorial service held
annually near the feast
of All Saints, but felt
that, considering the
costs involved in hiring
an orchestra for the
performance, they
couldn’t also
afford the commissioning
fee which an extended
work would necessitate.
Composer Daniel E.
Gawthrop put the two
directors in touch with
each other, and a joint
commission was conceived.
Originally, the plan
called for two completely
separate premières,
one at each church, but
as the directors
consulted on musical
matters they decided that
it would add an element
of ecumenism and outreach
to the project if they
joined the two choirs
together for both
performances.
Accordingly, on the first
of the two Sundays the
South Carolina
Presbyterians joined the
North Carolina Methodists
in their Sunday morning
services to sing the
première of Behold
This Mystery. On the
following Sunday the
travel was reversed for
the second première.
The involved choirs,
congregations, clergy and
directors all declared
the project a triumph.
Further performances
followed, and the piece
has now earned a place in
the small but
distinguished category
called Twentieth Century
Extended Works for Chorus
and Orchestra Which Have
Received More Than One
Performance. Behold This
Mystery is suitable
anywhere that you might
program a requiem, e.g.,
either in concert or
within the context of a
worship service. It lasts
about 27 minutes in
performance. Soprano and
Baritone soloists are
called for, although a
Tenor may be substituted
for the (rather high)
Baritone part if needed.
The choral parts are not
terribly difficult but
this is an extended work,
probably equivalent to
five or six typical
anthems. Instrumental
parts are not virtuosic;
collegiate and
professional ensembles
should have no trouble
preparing the piece with
only a few rehearsals.
Minimum order quantity: 8
copies. Perusal copies
are available by
contacting
office@DunstanHouse.com
b> (include the
organization name with
your request). To order
quantities fewer than
8.