|
After first hearing the NCO Gospel Choir at their Thanksgiving Celebration Concert in 2005, I came away wanting to compose a piece of music especially for them. I envisioned a work that would feature the wonderfully joyful sound of this group, as well as communicate their positive attitude and spirit. I suggested the idea to Paul Gambill and soon we were off and running.
The cantata form is simply defined as a multi-movement, non-staged vocal work for chorus and/or soloist(s), and orchestra.This seemed a good vehicle for the piece I wanted to write. J. S. Bach's chorale cantatas served as a rough model
for this composition.
With the premiere scheduled for the week of Thanksgiving, I was reminded of
the hymn Now Thank We All Our God and decided to use it as the basis
for this work. Then I invited I decided to find a lyricist to Thom Schuyler to adapt or rewrite the text. Thom wrote four new verses, but also incorporated the opening four lines
from the first verse of the original. The title of the work, With Heart and Hands and Voices, is one of the lines of original text. Verses one, two and
three deal with the heart, hands, and voices respectively, as do each of the three
new songs we wrote—A Faithful Heart, Every Tear Wiped Away, and Singing On
the Mountain. Thom's contribution to this work is eloquent and moving.
Don Hart – 2006
* * * *
I am honored and grateful to have been involved with the creation of With Heart and Hands and Voices. With deepest respect for the masterful text of
Now Thank We All Our God by Martin Rinkart, it was my goal to expand upon
its majestic themes while maintaining its original intent and integrity. I trust this
has been accomplished. My deep appreciation to Don Hart, Paul Gambill and
the NCO, and Odessa Settles and the NCO Gospel Choir for inviting me to join this creative journey.
Thom Schuyler – 2006
back to With Hearts & Hands & Voices
|
