Dan Forrest "in paradisum..." Orchestral Premiere

David Bowden conducting the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic and Chorus, with the Anderson University Chorale. Video and audio aren't great, since it was recorded on an iPhone held in the front row of the balcony. Still, it gives some idea. Better audio will be forthcoming.

Text/Program Notes:
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints. (Psalm 116:15)
I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, ye may be also. (John 14:2-3)
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. (Rev 21:4)
Verily, I say unto thee, Today thou shalt be with me in paradise. (Luke 23:43)

in paradisum..., for wind band and chorus, takes its title more from Scripture than from the liturgical "In Paradisum" Requiem movement. This setting uses a wide diversity of Scriptural texts, which, though written thousands of years apart, all speak to mankind's burning desire to glimpse the afterlife by revealing the compassionate character and precious promises of God to His people. The opening bars present massive chords in a highly animated texture; these "pillars" not only represent the unshakeable truths which follow, but also serve as a musical basis from which most of the rest of the piece is constructed. The first main section sets "Precious in the sight of the Lord..." text, as well as "I go to prepare a place for you...". A second section (which uses portions of Revelation) uses the flatted seventh scale degree (taken from the opening "pillar chords") to symbolize sorrow, pain, and tears. This flatted seventh gives way, symbolically, to the raised seventh scale degree, picturing God's tenderly "wiping away all tears". Eventually, the "pillar chords" return, this time setting the one occurrence of the phrase "in paradise" from Scripture (Christ's words from the cross to the dying thief) which provides a thrilling glimpse into eternity. Near the end of the piece, one more glimpse of the "tears" idea appears, but it quickly (and again, symbolically) disappears into the settled rest of the closing section, which includes a "new song", calling from eternity "on high."

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Dan Forrest
• in paradisum
• David Bowden
• Columbus Philharmonic
• Anderson University Chorale

[TheDrBubbles]

Wow!! What power and words. Thanks David for this gift!

[theoneandonlylego]

wow!!!