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April 23, 2007
Wilberg's Requiem adds to his growing reputation
Utahns tend to think of Mack Wilberg - if they think of him at all - as an arranger of LDS hymns and associate conductor of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Most know little of his international success as a composer of religious music that appeals to people of many faiths.
This week's world premiere of Wilberg's latest work, a Requiem, is likely to accelerate his fame around the globe and might even change perceptions in his home state.
While most youths rang in 2007 at New Year's Eve parties Sunday, thousands of young Latter-day Saint faithful filled the seats of the LDS Conference Center and lined the pews in church buildings across America, to hear prominent church leaders encourage youths to make wise choices.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret Morning News
LDS Church President Gordon B. Hinckley speaks during a youth fireside at the Conference Center Sunday night.
President Gordon B. Hinckley, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve and Young Women's President Susan W. Tanner counseled youths during the Sunday night fireside to "Let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly," which is the Mutual theme for 2007.
A press conference was held today introducing Sissel Kyrkjebø, the Norwegian-born singing sensation who is this year’s guest performer for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square Christmas concert.
When asked what it is like to perform with the choir, Sissel said, “For me, to sing with Placido Domingo one day and then to sing with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, it’s the same level.”
Choir director Craig Jessop remarked: “To meet her [Sissel] and feel her presence, her genuineness, her beauty — the combination is quite disarming — the combination of her natural warmth, her natural beauty and then her beautiful singing. I’d say it’s been a blessing.”
Sissel performed at last night’s dress rehearsal and will perform tonight and Saturday night. She will also give a special performance during Sunday’s Music and the Spoken Word. All tickets for the concerts were taken within two hours of their release. Approximately 21,000 people will attend each concert.
Sissel first performed with the choir last April 2006 during Music and the Spoken Word.
The annual First Presidency Christmas Devotional will originate from the Conference Center on Sunday, December 3, 2006. This devotional will include Christmas messages from the First Presidency and music by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.
Internet Options
Live Video Stream When you click the following link, you will be directed to a site sponsored by BYU-TV. A new window will open for you to view the live video stream of the First Presidency Christmas Devotional. The video stream will be provided in English only for this broadcast. Please note that any time you click this link, you will see the current BYU-TV video feed. The video stream for the Christmas devotional will begin on December 3rd at 6:00 p.m. (MST). Please submit feedback about the devotional video stream through BYU-TV.
Mormon Tabernacle Choir Announces 2007 Canada–Midwest United States Tour
he Mormon Tabernacle Choir will conduct its 2007 Canada–Midwest United States tour from 21 June through 3 July 2007. It will perform concerts in Toronto, Canada; Chautauqua, New York; Cleveland, Ohio; Chicago, Illinois; Cincinnati, Ohio; and Nashville and Memphis, Tennessee. Sixty-five members of the Orchestra at Temple Square will accompany the 360-voice choir on tour.
Music performed on the summer tour will draw from the choir’s extensive repertoire and will include choral masterworks, hymns, spirituals, and folk songs. Craig Jessop, music director of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, said: “We look forward to bringing the choir and orchestra to these great music festivals and venues. Our repertoire will include works from the masters of classical composition to famed Broadway tunes, and there should be something to please everyone who attends.” The concert program will also feature selections from the choir’s spring 2007 CD release entitled Showtime! Music from Broadway and Hollywood.
The choir and orchestra will give matinee and evening performances at the Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto on 22 June, followed by matinee and evening performances at the Chautauqua Amphitheater on 23 June. The choir will perform at three prestigious outdoor summer venues beginning with the Blossom Festival in Cleveland on 25 June, followed by the Ravinia Music Festival in Chicago on 27 June, and an appearance at the Riverbend Music Center in Cincinnati with the Cincinnati Pops (Erich Kunzel and Craig Jessop sharing the conducting duties) on 29 June. The tour will conclude with shows at two large Tennessee venues: the Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville on 30 June and the FedEx Forum in Memphis on 2 July.
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir will be honored Sunday as a laureate of the Mother Teresa Award for edifying the world through choral performances and recordings.
"This is the only choir that I know that has touched the entire world with its beauty," said Dan Paulos, director of the St. Bernadette Institute of Sacred Art, which gives the award. "There are a lot of choirs out there, but none so remarkable. It's a gift of God and it should be shared with the world."
The Very Reverend Joseph Mayo, rector of the Cathedral of the Madeline, will present the award to the choir at 10 a.m. after the weekly Music and the Spoken Word broadcast.
