Seattle-based composer Andrew T. Miller's cantata The Birth of Christ received its premiere in Dublin in 2006. Its performance was hailed as a landmark event because it brought together Catholic and Protestant choirs. It would be good to report that its musical quality was as significant as its humanitarian achievement, but as a whole, the music fails to fulfill that promise. The 70-minute piece is lyrical from beginning to end. The vocal contours are often graceful, and Miller knows how to build surging, emotionally ...
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Seattle-based composer Andrew T. Miller's cantata The Birth of Christ received its premiere in Dublin in 2006. Its performance was hailed as a landmark event because it brought together Catholic and Protestant choirs. It would be good to report that its musical quality was as significant as its humanitarian achievement, but as a whole, the music fails to fulfill that promise. The 70-minute piece is lyrical from beginning to end. The vocal contours are often graceful, and Miller knows how to build surging, emotionally charged climaxes, but it has few genuinely memorable moments. Its harmonic and melodic conventionality would not be reason to dismiss it, because originality isn't essential for a piece to be inventive and imaginative, but most of the movements have a second-hand feeling to them; you can hear some Philip Glass, some Garrett Fischer (another Seattle-based composer, but with a genuinely distinctive voice), some Morten Lauridsen, an embarrassing imitation of an operatic interchange, but...
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Seller's Description:
Good. This item has very light surface scratches that do not affect the use of the disc/s. This is a USED item. Case and cover may or may not have wear or damage. All items unless otherwise noted will include disc, case, and artwork. Codes have been used. Other contents such as booklets may vary, please inquire for details. All items ship Monday-Friday within 2-3 business days.
This magnificent work spotlights a very gifted musician and composer, Andrew T. Miller. He has written an glorious cantata, rich with soaring sounds of choir and orchestra, captured with exquisite lighting that brilliantly enhances the musical setting in the cathedral. The singers are vocally impressive and marvelously portray the characters in this timeless story - a story interspersed with Liam Neesons reverently delivered narration. This music is an 'agent of peace,' bringing together disparate choirs of Protestants and Catholics to perform together with one voice. Dont miss out on the chance to experience what will be a must see for every Christmas season!
