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TONUS PEREGRINUS in the first performance of an oratorio by Antony Pitts: Jerusalem-Yerushalayim. The eyes of the world are on Jerusalem. More than any other city, Jerusalem has captured hearts and imaginations around the world and continues to reflect the turbulent emotions of our troubled times. Jerusalem – placed at the centre of the world on mediaeval maps – a crossroads between Asia, Europe, and Africa. Jerusalem – occupied by Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, Romans, Crusaders, Ottomans, British etc. Jerusalem – the scene of central events in Jewish history and in the Christian gospel – and now home to Jewish, Christian, and Islamic holy sites. While Jerusalem currently attracts media attention as part of a divisive political agenda, the Bible tells an extraordinary story with a much longer perspective – a story that begins in Genesis with the wanderings of Abraham, and ends in incredible hope: a vision of peace for all nations, starting in Jerusalem.
Sunday 8 June 2008 19:00
OPERA FRINGE
Down Cathedral, Downpatrick, Northern Ireland
more info & bookings: http://www.operafringe.com/
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In 2006 the young English composer Antony Pitts was inspired to begin sketching an oratorio that would tell, simply but powerfully, the Biblical story of Jerusalem. The result is Jerusalem-Yerushalayim an oratorio-cantata with a libretto based on texts from the Tanakh (Old Testament) laid out in more-or-less chronological order. Mirroring the four quarters of Jerusalem’s ‘Old City’, the oratorio is divided into four sections of three movements each:
(I) the city in patriarchal times;
(II) the city as the capital of Israel up to its destruction by Nebuchadnezzar in 586BC;
(III) the city rebuilt under occupation until its destruction by the Romans in 70AD;
(IV) the city as prefigured by prophets and unfolded in history ever since.
The music is new, but has strong historical echoes including some familiar musical references such as Tallis’s Lamentations and Parry’s I was glad. In terms of practicality and approachability, Jerusalem-Yerushalayim is modelled on Handel’s Messiah, and designed for widespread use – by either professional vocal ensembles or amateur choirs, with SATB soloists, and flexible accompaniment. The oratorio is aimed at audiences familiar with both great classical oratorios and popular musicals, regardless of denomination, cultural perspective, or political viewpoint.
Unusually, the first part of the oratorio to be completed was the conclusion – the choral coda entitled The Peace of Jerusalem. It was premiered by the Choir of London, conductor Jeremy Summerly, in Israel in April 2007, and has since had performances in the UK by TONUS PEREGRINUS at the London Festival of Contemporary Church Music, and by the Elysian Singers under the direction of the composer in the City of London. TONUS PEREGRINUS has recorded the coda for Hyperion on a new album called Alpha and Omega.
Antony Pitts’s music is already well-known to choral aficionados in the UK, with recordings of his hymns and popular carols available on Naxos (Hymns and Songs of the Church 8.557681, The Naxos Book of Carols 8.557330), as well as more substantial works such as the 40-part motet XL (released on Harmonia Mundi and discussed in Discovering Music on BBC Radio 3). Two complete CDs of his choral repertoire are on leading British independent classical label Hyperion.
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CLASSICAL.NET April 2008
on TONUS PEREGRINUS recording Alpha and Omega (Hyperion CDA67668)
"Not yet 40, Antony Pitts, together with John Rutter and Taverner is perhaps one of the most sought-after British composers of contemporary choral works. He is already the recipient of several prestigious awards such as the Prix Italia... The first Hyperion issue dedicated to choral works by this prodigious composer got some truly rave reviews, and this second disc will undoubtedly make its mark... The principal work on this programme is the "I AM" sayings of Jesus which at 40 minutes makes up almost two thirds of total playing time. The comforting yet perplexing texts allow Pitts free reign to express his vivid word painting and the music is also informed with great restlessness and agitation. The other four works are similar to the main opus but each has its own distinct message to convey. TONUS PEREGRINUS... perform with spellbinding excitement matching spirituality with technical prowess. This is a sumptuously beautiful disc on all counts."
ALLMUSIC.COM
"...there are some things on Hymns and Songs of the Church that are so meltingly beautiful that it will take your breath away..."
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