There’s nothing like a glorious performance of Handel‘s “Messiah” to get everyone in the right spirit for Christmas. Although Handel actually wrote Messiah as an Easter Oratorio, it has become synonymous with Christmas, and a time honored tradition. For many, the holiday just wouldn’t be the same without Continue reading
Mr. MoSop and I recently signed up for a brutal [ 'intense'] 6-week fitness Boot Camp! We are on Day 4, so currently are limping around as our muscles whine and protest. This is proving to be a really huge challenge, and also a blessing. Continue reading
BYU Broadcasting Corporation will premire a long-anticipated documentary on Sunday April 4th at 12:00 PM MDT [between sessions of the LDS General Conference ] entitled:
“ONE VOICE: ON THE ROAD WITH THE MORMON TABERNACLE CHOIR“
A ”behind-the-scenes” film crew joined with over 600 people as part of Continue reading
2008 Re-dedication
On January 4, 2008, after four years of extensive renovation, the Utah State Capitol building held a formal Re-dedication ceremony. The ceremony’s 2008 program was based on the program used during the original dedication in 1916.
Included among the many performances was a new musical commission entitled “Anthem for a New Year: Into Light”. The lyrics were a new poem written by Utah’s Poet Laureate Katharine Coles, PhD, and set to music by Utah composer Kurt Bestor. The premeire was conducted by Craig Jessop, and the extensive cast of local performers included The Mormon Tabernacle Choir, the Utah Symphony Orchestra, The Bells on Temple Square, the 23rd Army Band, the International Children’s Choir, and the Cathedral of the Madeleine Choir School.
“Into Light” compares the cold dark winter dawning slowly into spring as an allegory for our personal opportunities to change with the season, reach for new possibilities, and become beings of light.
“Lift us again, moon for the season.
From its warm nest the bird breaks into flight.
Set loose we spin with earth into blue,
Heaven’s dome turning us back into light.”
Video Courtesy Kurt Bestor
Historic Trivia: The dedicatory prayer for this ceremony was given by the current President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Gordon B. Hinckley. This would be his final public appearance. He passed away 3 weeks later, on Jan. 27, 2008 at the age of 97.
On Christmas Eve 1906, a 33-year-old university professor, and former chief chemist for Thomas Edison, named Reginald Fessenden did something long thought impossible. Using a new type of generator, Fessenden spoke into a microphone and, for the first time in history, a man’s voice was broadcast clearly over the airwaves:
“And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed…,”
Reginald Fessenden
He began in a clear, strong voice, hoping he was reaching across the distances he supposed he would. Shocked radio operators on ships and astonished wireless owners at newspapers sat slack-jawed as their normal, coded impulses, heard over tiny speakers, were interrupted by a professor reading from the gospel of Luke.
To the few who caught this broadcast, it must have seemed like a miracle. Some might have even believed they were hearing the voice of an angel. After finishing his recitation of the birth of Christ, a second miracle took place. Fessenden picked up his violin and played “O Holy Night,” the first song to ever be sent through the air via radio waves. Music had found a new medium, and the world would never be the same again.
Placide Cappeau
The Christmas song “Cantique de Noël“ has a fascinating history. A parish priest in Roquemaure, France commissioned the poem from Placide Cappeau. Mr. Cappeau enlisted the musical talent of his friend, the opera composer Adolphe-Charles Adam. The song was first performed for Christmas Mass, 1847 in Roquemaure. It took the American continent by storm during the Civil War, becoming an anthem of sorts for the abolishonist movement, due to the English translation of the final verse:
Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease.
Adolphe-Charles Adam
Over the centuries, this Christmas song has been sung millions of times, in hundreds of languages. The carol has also gone on to become one of the entertainment industry’s most recorded and played spiritual songs.
Requested by a forgotten parish priest, written by a poet who would later split from the church, given soaring music by a Jewish composer, and brought to Americans to serve as much as a tool to spotlight the sinful nature of slavery as to tell the story of the birth of a Savior –”O Holy Night” has become, in my humble opinion, one of the most beautiful, inspired pieces of music ever created.
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video courtesy the MoTabChoir01 Channel
On the 24th Day of our December julibee…It is time for some Christmas Eve Carols to lighten your festivity!
Betelehemu
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Tchaikovsky’s Trepak from The Nutcracker Ballet
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The First Noel
The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints holds a Christmas Devotional on the first Sunday of each December. The December 6, 2009 Christmas Devotional is now available online. You may choose to watch the entire event, or choose from individual selections. This year, messages were given by President Thomas S. Monson, and his counselors Pres. Dieter F. Uchtdorf and Pres. Henry B. Eyring. Music was provided by The Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square under the direction of Mack Wilberg and Ryan Murphy. The devotional is available in over 30 languages for free MP3 download here, as several languages are available on video. To view in English, click on this photo:
CLICK HERE - 2009 LDS First Presidency Christmas Devotional
MoSop on a Nature Walk
Recently I have been taking nature walks during my lunch hour. Not only has this been refreshing to my mind and body, but also to my soul. I started carrying my camera with me on these afternoon adventures, and ended up with quite a collection of photos! Looking at them has filled me with gratitude for this beautiful world we live in. I realize more each day just how much we owe our Savior, Jesus Christ. He has truly given all light, life and hope to this amazing earth. Thinking about it fills my heart with joy. And naturally, I wish to share it. Thus, I have created a video for you to enjoy these images (all but 3 are my own). The music is Mack Wilberg’s arrangement of the Hymn “There is Sunshine In My Soul Today“.
Have a wonderful, sunny day!
Voice Male
I’m a sucker for good A Cappella. Some of my personal favorites include The Nylons, Tonic Sol-Fa, T Minus 5, and Take-6. I own every album recorded by VoiceMale. And, who can resist the incomparable King’s Singers? Over the years, I’ve heard a lot of vocal “pyro-techniques”. It’s amazing how the vocal instrument can be used to similate other instruments, animal noises, sound effects…you name it!
PJ in Slovenia
Every once in awhile a group comes along that adds a whole new dimension to what people can do with the unaccompanied voice. Recently I discovered a tremendously talented vocal group billed as “Slovenia’s only Jazz Choir” named Perpetuum Jazzile. PJ is composed of about 40 very talented (and very good looking) young people. In the interest of promoting good music, I encourage you to check out their website (hint: they have their own online radio station – listen free by clicking the play button in the Rt. hand corner).
I present to you the impressive talent of Perpetuum Jazzile, performing AFRICA.
OK - I guess I better add the “MoSop disclaimer” – aparently more than a few readers of my post on the Susan Boyle Phenomenon are operating under the delusion that Ms. Boyle is a Mormon because I featured her! So, just to clear things up ahead of time for these lovely young Slovenians:
“I am a Mormon. I am a musician. I love good music. I often feature good music on my blog. Although many of my musical spotlights may be Mormon, many may not. [because, as "shocking" as it may be to some, good musical talent is not exclusive to Mormonism!].
– MoSop
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir has released an official video press kit that includes over 35 informational segments.
The videos range from the history of the choir, to the planning of a tour, and everything in-between. Segments include interviews with choir leadership, and individual members share their personal stories. There is plenty of great information for both those who may be unfamiliar with the choir, or for the choir enthusiast.
Head on over, and check it out!
Here is a very clever and funny version of Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus. These “monks” have found a creative way around their vow of silence. (Kudos for all the practice hours this took to pull off!) - MoSop
African Children's Choir
Twenty-five years ago Ray Barnett visited Uganda, where he first envisioned the African Children’s Choir™. Today, the Music for Life program has helped hundreds of African children receive shelter, food, education, musical training, and the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Many of these children have lost one or both parents to war, AIDS, and other effects of poverty. The children selected for the world touring choir range in age from 7-11 years old. Once chosen, the organization commits to long-term support of the child through primary, secondary and upper education, which ensures the child transitions into adulthood with a career and a bright future. The Music for Life program has become so successful, and the need is so great, that a larger school is currently under contruction.
These children have become the rising leaders of their countries. Programs are currently located in Uganda, Kenya, Rowanda, Sudan, Ghana, Nigeria and South Africa. Former graduates of the choir program now have professional careers in the areas of science, medicine, finance, international relations, journalism, and more. They actively serve their country and community in humanitarian work. The healing power of music, combined with love and Christian education is creating peace and hope in Africa, one life at a time.
The Nkomazi children singing “You Are The Shepherd”
Purchase one of their beautiful Music CDs, in time for Christmas!
Or, give an online donation (all amounts large or small welcome)
