New Advent/Christmas Cantata Now Available
A high point for me in a lifetime of making music!
–John Yarrington
The recently premiered Advent/Christmas cantata Hope of Israel by Daniel E. Gawthrop is now available. Scored for soprano and baritone soloists, mixed choir and orchestra, the work is approximately 48 minutes in duration and is comprised of ten movements.
Gawthrop’s new work was given its official world premiere performances in two Sunday morning worship services at downtown Houston’s First Presbyterian Church on December 16th of 2018 by the Sanctuary Choir, soloists, and orchestra under the direction of Dr. John Yarrington.
Speaking of the text, author Jane Griner says, “In Hope of Israel the text starts with an echo of every prophetic warning – ‘Awake, awake out of sleep’. The longing of a people for the fulfillment of the promise follows, and then a reassurance that neither the promises, nor the people, have been forgotten. Individual expressions alternate with the chorus, singing first of longing and faith, and then of a dawning awareness that the time is indeed at hand. Mary’s acceptance of her divine commission is followed by the rejoicing of those with eyes to see and ears to hear, that salvation had indeed come as God had promised.”
Instrumentation:
Flute
Oboe
Clarinet
Bassoon
2 Trumpets in C
2 Trombones
Harp
Percussion (2-3 players including timpani)
Strings
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