Brass Band Logo

NJH Music Logo

Some of the contents of the pages on this site are Copyright © 2016 NJH Music
[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

Isaiah 40 article - Canadian War Cry

To all who are interested, the Salvation Army's Canadian puplication - 
THE WAR CRY has an article re: ISAIAH 40 (ROBERT REDHEAD).  I e-mailed 
the editor and she gave me permission to post the article on the brass 
band mailing list.  I figured it would be an interesting read for those 
who have heard and now played the piece and it will give back ground 
info on the composition.  I hope you enjoy this article!

ISAIAH 40

The Old Testament prophet Isaiah's famous chapter 40 with its message of 
comfort and hope to the dispirited Jews in the 5th century BC, has 
provided inspiration for music compositions ranging from Handel's 
celebrated oratorio, MESSIAH, to such contemporary musicals as GODSPELL 
and JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR.

Last fall, Isaiah's message was delivered 19 times over to the tousands 
attending the 1996 NATIONAL BRASS BAND CHAMPIONSHIPS in London, England's 
Royal Albert Hall by 19 of Great Britain's most accomplished brass bands.

The 1996 test piece, ISAIAH 40, was composed by Lieut.-Colonel Robert 
Redhead at the invitation of music publisher and instrument manufacturer 
Boosey & Hawkes, and the brass band associations of Holland, Norway and 
Switzerland.

It marked the first time that a Salvation Army officer had been invited, 
and had received approval from army authorities, to write a major contest 
piece for mainstream brass bands.

Coincidentally, QUINTESSENCE, composed by Colonel Redhead in 1978, was 
chosen as the test piece for the recent National Youth Brass Band 
Championships of Great Britian.

"Lieut.-Colonel Redhead has been absolutely thrilled to receive the 
test-piece commission, though not for personally predictable reasons," 
wrote Niki Bland in THE BRITISH BANDSMAN magazine.  "Here is a man rooted 
in his faith with clearly defined priorities.  He is first and foremost a 
minister of the Gospel and his work with the less fortunate of the world 
was starting point for the message behind the music of ISAIAH 40.

Of his composition, Lieut.-Colonel Redhead wrote:

"The Jewish people were preparing to make an arduous journey through the 
desert to return to their homeland following a lengthy period of exile in 
the sophisiticated city of Babylon.  Both Scripture and music sound out a 
message of hope, as they view life from the eternal perspective, thus 
placing change in its proper context.  Temporal values are set against 
those of eternity."

"........though he pleased everyone, Lieut.-Colonel Redhead compromised 
nothing of his personal beliefgs," wrote Bland.

"The result was a piece of music which communicated more than just tonal 
notes to all who became involved in its performance process."

Among thos bcoming "involved in its performance process" wree the member 
of the DESFORD BAND.

Realizing that the 12-minute test piece could be performed better by 
knowledgeable musicians, WINNIPEG SYMPHONY conductor BRAMWELL TOVEY, 
under contract to rehearse and conduct the Desford Band, arranged for 
Salvation Army Captain Mark Bearcroft to attend an early rehearsal and 
provide insight into the composition's biblical context.

Although the Desford Band did not win the competition, some ovservers 
felt its presentations was the most meaningful and powerful 
interpretation of the compsition.

"Because the Lord is the everlasting God, His word stands forever and 
those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will not 
merely get through somehow, rather they will soar on wings like eagles," 
says Colonel Redhead paraphrasing the final verse of Isaiah, Chapter 40.
LEIUT.-COLONEL ROBERT REDHEAD IS DIVISIONAL SECRETARY FOR PROGRAM, 
ONTARIO GREATER TORONTO AREA DIVISION.

ISAIAH 40 IS AVAILABLE FROM SALVATIONIST PUBLISHING AND SUPPLIES, 117-199 
JUDD STREET, KINGS CROSS, LONDON, ENGLAND, WC1H9NN.

In adding a personal comment to the article, 'hats-off' to DESFORD for 
their interpretation of the composition!  Some Canadian friends did 
travel over to attend the competition and felt the same way about 
DESFORD's performance.  Wish I could have been there 8-)

Mark Sturge


--
unsubscribe or receive the list in digest form, mail a message of 'help' to
listserv@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[Services] [Contact Us] [Advertise with us] [About] [Tell a friend about us] [Copyright © 2016 NJH Music]