A new sacred oratorio combining scriptural passages about the crucifixion and resurrection of the Lord from both the Bible and the Book of Mormon premiered in Salt Lake City April 7.
"The Passion and The Promise of Our Lord Jesus Christ" was performed at the Salt Lake Tabernacle as part of at the Ricks College biennial Sacred Music Series.
Composed by Daniel E. Gawthrop, the oratorio was performed in Salt Lake City by the Ricks College Collegiate Singers, Men's Choir, Women's Choir and Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of R. Kevin Call. Featured soloists were Michael Belnap of Bloomington, Ind.; and Kristine Ciesinski and Norman Bailey, both of Victor, Idaho.
Performed previously this month at Rexburg, Idaho; Washington, D.C.; and Fairfax, Va., the work was to be performed again April 10-12, 15 and 27 at Ricks College.
In a traditional sense, the "passion" refers to the portion of Jesus' life from His triumphal entry into Jerusalem through the Crucifixion. Musical passions by classical composers typically were performed as part of church services before Easter.
This new work, however, goes beyond the traditional scope.
"We didn't want to end the story with the crucifixion," composer Gawthrop said in notes included in the printed program. "We wanted to include His resurrection and postmortal ministries. The promise [referenced in the title] refers specifically to the Apostle Peter's testimony at Pentecost."
Thus, Part I of the oratorio draws upon scriptures from the four gospels relating events up to and including the Crucifixion. But then the setting shifts suddenly to the Land of Bountiful in the Book of Mormon and the dramatic events of Christ's appearance to the Nephites as recounted in that book of scripture.
Likewise, Part II draws upon post-resurrection accounts in the four Gospels and the Book of Acts as well as 3 Nephi in the Book of Mormon.
The work concludes dramatically with passages from 1 Peter 2:9, "Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light," and 1 Peter 5:11, "To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen."
"I stress that this work is intended to expand the sacred music repertoire, and thus is a gift of Ricks College to persons of all faiths everywhere," Brother Gawthrop said. "I tried to write in an approachable, accessible way. I feel very strongly that I need to touch, change, uplift and move the audience."
Brother Gawthrop, who has studied organ performance and composition at Michigan State University and BYU, served for three years as composer-in-residence to the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra of Fairfax, Va. He has had works premiere in the Concert Hall of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the Washington National Cathedral, as well as the Salt Lake Tabernacle.
The Ricks College Sacred Music Series began in 1986, with works being commissioned and performed every two years. Past composers have been Darwin Wolford, Crawford Gates, Robert Cundick, K. Newell Dayley and Merrill Jenson. Laurence Lyon has been commissioned to write the next work, to be presented in 2003.
