'There is a green hill' on video & an oratorio on Jerusalem

24/7 *There is a green hill*
http://www.tonusperegrinus.co.uk/indexTP.html
Recorded live for television, a performance by TONUS PEREGRINUS
of 'There is a green hill' from our latest Naxos album 'Hymns and
Songs of the Church' (8.557681).  Enjoy the purple.

24/7 *Classical Music Spotlight on Orlando Gibbons*
http://www.naxos.com/podcasts/ClassicalMusicSpotlight_Orlando_Gibbons.mp3
*The most fascinating beautiful little piece in all of music*
http://www.goldenradio.co.uk/HYMNSpodcast.MP3
While we were busy making our own podcast, the American arm of
Naxos was putting together its own very interesting take on the
new disc.  Download, compare, and contrast!

24/7 *http://shop.thewelcomestranger.org*
Thanks for feedback on the new online shop - we've been able to
streamline and refine it substantially: the delivery charge is
now waived for any additional CDs (and dropped entirely if the
total is £30+); in addition, multiple purchases of the same CD
are discounted, and all postal deliveries of goods worth £10+
currently include a completely free CD copy of 'Fast Forwards',
commissioned by Unknown Public and recorded in London & New York
in the weeks following 911.
http://shop.thewelcomestranger.org/


2006-2007 *Jerusalem - an oratorio*
I've started writing a large-scale piece that has been on my mind
for several years: an oratorio-cantata in twelve movements
telling the biblical story of Jerusalem from earliest intimations
of its significance in the Torah to future visions of the city's
history and its transcendent symbolism.  There's a good chance
that the third quarter (movements 7-9) will be performed in
Jerusalem in May 2007 by a symphony orchestra and chorus +
soloists.  I imagine that the complete piece will last between
60-75 minutes.  If you're interested in commissioning any (or
all!) of the remaining movements, please get in touch or have a
look at the outline of the oratorio at:
http://shop.thewelcomestranger.org/index.asp?function=DISPLAYCAT&catid=120.
As the libretto crystalizes I will upload it to the relevant page
for each of the twelve movements.

"Jerusalem (Yerushalayim) - 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, in the Christian gospel, and
now home to Islamic holy sites; 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.

"Just as the Old City of Jerusalem is now divided into four
quarters, so 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/BCE; (III) the city rebuilt under occupation until its
destruction by the Romans in 70AD/CE; (IV) the city as prefigured
by prophets and unfolded in history ever since.

"Using only texts from the Tanakh / Old Testament - apart from
the final coda touching on the Book of Revelation's vision of a
New Jerusalem ('God will wipe away all tears') - the story of the
city is told within a logical narrative order without further
political or religious layering, while a semi-chorus (or the
quartet of soloists) meditates on the narrative with words from
the Psalms.  Modelled in terms of accessibility and practicality
on The Crucifixion by John Stainer, 'Jerusalem' is designed for
widespread use - equally by professional vocal ensembles as by
amateur choirs and choruses, with SATB soloists, and
organ/keyboard plus optional instrumental or orchestral
accompaniment.  Although very much a 21st-century work,
'Jerusalem' is aimed at audiences familiar with the great
classical oratorios and/or more recent melodic musicals, and will
incorporate some very well-known musical references from the past
including Handel's 'Zadok the Priest', Tallis's 'Lamentations of
Jeremiah', and Parry's 'I was glad'."


P.S. *Choir & Organ September/October issue*
Brother John's organ piece 'I will raise him up at the last day'
is available free to print/perform from
http://www.choirandorgan.com/newmusic.asp, and there is an
interview on page 26 of the magazine itself.  You can also hear a
demo recording of the work at:
http://www.johnpitts.co.uk/I%20will%20raise%20him%20up%20at%20the%20last%20day%20organ%2004july06x%20lower.mp3


Happy listening (and commissioning),

Antony Pitts
www.tonusperegrinus.co.uk