Théodore Dubois: The Seven Last Words of Christ/ Mendelssohn: Hear My Prayer
(Click here)
Buy this Music CD at online store in your country
Canadian Music Store
Canadian Music Store
CD Details
Brand: SWANN,FREDERICKEdition: Music CD
CD Release Date: 2001-03-27
Music Label: Gothic Records
Soundtracks:
- Hear My Prayer - Teresa Maria Gomez
- Grand Chorus - Frederick Swann
- The Seven Last Words Of Christ: Intro - Teresa Maria Gomez
- The Seven Last Words Of Christ: First Word - Edward Pleasant/Kim Childs/Chor Of First United Methodist Church/Gordon McMillan
- The Seven Last Words Of Christ: Second Word - Kim Childs/Edward Pleasant/Chor Of First United Methodist Church/Gordon McMillan
- The Seven Last Words Of Christ: Third Word - Teresa Maria Gomez/Kim Childs/Edward Pleasant/Chor Of First United Methodist Church/Gordon McMillan
- The Seven Last Words Of Christ: Fourth Word - Edward Pleasant
- The Seven Last Words Of Christ: Fifth Word - Kim Childs/Edward Pleasant/Chor Of First United Methodist Church/Gordon McMillan
- The Seven Last Words Of Christ: Sixth Word - Kim Childs/Chor Of First United Methodist Church/Gordon McMillan
- The Seven Last Words Of Christ: Seventh Word - Teresa Maria Gomez/Kim Childs/Edward Pleasant/Chor Of First United Methodist Church/Gordon McMillan
Music reviews of Théodore Dubois: The Seven Last Words of Christ/ Mendelssohn: Hear My Prayer
Music Review: A Touching and Powerful Performance of a Great Work
Rating: 5 Stars
As I start to write this review I have lying before me a dog-eared copy of the piano vocal score that is over 50 years old; the cover price was $1.00 which gives you a clue to its age. As a Christian and also a music major in my youth, I can join with some of the other reviewers as they share their joys and memories of performing this work. I do not remember how many times I've been involved in performances but they have included performances in Latin, English, with organ and with orchestra; each time the work was even more endeared to me.
For some reason I have never owned a copy of this work in any recorded format and was very pleased to see a CD that seemed to have good ratings. I had no preference whether it was accompanied by orchestra or pipe organ so long as it was well played. While I'm on the subject, I'm happy to report that Mr. Swann, who was President of the American Guild of Organists from 2002-2008, is an organist of the first rank with an appreciation of the organ's potential for drama, power, and diversity!
Although the driving force in my purchase of this CD was "The Seven Last Words of Christ" this recording also includes "Hear My Prayer" by Mendelssohn and "Grand Chorus," an organ solo by Theodore Dubois. The latter performance ably demonstrates the virtuosity of Mr. Swann.
The insert in the CD provides pictures and brief biographies of the principal performers as well as the words of the vocal parts. Some of the reviewers have commented the soprano was difficult to understand; well that problem is eliminated if one is following the words provided in the insert (or a dog-eared piano vocal score).
From a music perspective, speaking as a music major and a music lover for over 70 years, the performance is competent and satisfying; the organist is world class, the soprano is good, but the tenor and baritone, while competent, occasionally reveal weaknesses in their performances; the singing of the soloists while not world class does not detract from the overall performance and has moments of real dramatic impact and beauty.
The chorus is, on the other hand, very good indeed; I did not find fault with their performance. Some reviewers have complained about the stilted English translation of the choral entrance on the "First Word;" those of us who have lived with Dr. Baker's English translation have made peace with "He is death guilty."
The Director, Gordon McMillan conducts a solid performance with no surprises; an interpretation which will be familiar to all who have participated in a production of this work.
From an audio perspective I have been very satisfied with the sound from this disc; I know the recording was made at First Methodist Church, Lubbock although I could not find that specified anywhere on the disc. The acoustics of the sanctuary at First Methodist provide a satisfactory reverberation time of around three seconds which is sufficient to give a realistic feeling of space. The pipe organ, as played by Mr. Swann, sounds wonderful with the use of a variety of appropriate registrations and generous use of the lower range which will give your subwoofer a good workout.
By way of summary, I found the recording very moving and effective; tears were running down my face as the last words, "Christ, we do all adore thee!" died out. If you love music and love the Lord Jesus Christ then this is a recording you should have!
More Théodore Dubois: The Seven Last Words of Christ/ Mendelssohn: Hear My Prayer free music reviews:
1 2
1 2
Description of Théodore Dubois: The Seven Last Words of Christ/ Mendelssohn: Hear My Prayer
No Description Available.Genre: Classical Music
Media Format: Compact Disk
Rating:
Release Date: 27-MAR-2001
Classical CDs
Music Genres
Bestsellers in Classical CDs
Winterscapesby London Philharmonic
Prophetic Voice; Published: 2000-07; Audio CD; Book
Best price: $2.75
Price in other shops:
The Queen, the Bear, & the Bumblebeeby Dini Petty
Children's Group; Published: 2001-03; Audio CD; Book
Best price: $13.38
Price in other shops:
Classical Kids - Beethoven Lives Upstairs CdrRelease date: 2000-04-05; Music CD
Best price: $24.98
Tchaikovsky (Life and Works (Naxos))by Malcolm Sinclair, Jeremy Siepmann
Naxos; Published: 2003-11; Audio CD; Book
Best price: $35.99
![Jose Carreras - Jubileum Concert [VHS] Image](/images/Jose-Carreras-Jubileum-Concert-VHS-1584481471-X.jpg){kind=small}
Jose Carreras - Jose Carreras - Jubileum Concert [VHS]Sling Shot; Release date: 2000-04-18; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $5.86
Price in other shops:
![Tchaikovsky - The Nutcracker / Nureyev, Park, Royal Ballet [VHS] Image](/images/Tchaikovsky-The-Nutcracker-Nureyev-Park-Royal-Ballet-VHS-156127092X-X.jpg){kind=small}
Tchaikovsky - The Nutcracker / Nureyev, Park, Royal Ballet [VHS]Kultur Video; Release date: 1997-09-09; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $29.89
Price in other shops:
![Lonely Town Lonley Street / Sergeant's Early Dream [VHS] Image](/images/Lonely-Town-Lonley-Street-Sergeant-Early-Dream-VHS-1561270857-X.jpg){kind=small}
Rambert Dance Company - Lonely Town Lonley Street / Sergeant's Early Dream [VHS]Kultur Video; Release date: 1997-10-28; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $14.99
Price in other shops:
Winter Music: Composing the Northby John Luther Adams
Wesleyan; Published: 2004-11-10; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $25.23
Price in other shops:
![Puccini - La Fanciulla del West / Santi, Domingo, Neblett, Royal Opera Covent Garden [VHS] Image](/images/Puccini-La-Fanciulla-del-West-Santi-Domingo-Neblett-Royal-Opera-Covent-Garden-VHS-0769720382-X.jpg){kind=small}
Puccini - La Fanciulla del West / Santi, Domingo, Neblett, Royal Opera Covent Garden [VHS]Kultur Video; Release date: 1999-05-25; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $6.38
Price in other shops:
![Verdi - Falstaff / Giulini, Bruson, Ricciarelli, Nucci, Royal Opera Covent Garden [VHS] Image](/images/Verdi-Falstaff-Giulini-Bruson-Ricciarelli-Nucci-Royal-Opera-Covent-Garden-VHS-0769720358-X.jpg){kind=small}
Verdi - Falstaff / Giulini, Bruson, Ricciarelli, Nucci, Royal Opera Covent Garden [VHS]Kultur Video; Release date: 1999-05-25; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $12.95
Price in other shops:
Similar CDs
The Seven Last Words of Christ - Vocal scoreby Theodore Dubois
Serenissima Music, Inc.; Published: 2008-07-24; Paperback; Book
Best price: $8.31
Price in other shops:
Felix Mendelssohn: Elijah, Op. 70 / Hickox, White, Plowright, Finnie, Davies, London Symphony (Sung in English)Release date: 1992-10-28; Music CD
Best price: $23.91
Price in other shops:
Abide With Me: 50 Favorite HymnsRelease date: 1996-06-10; Music CD
Best price: $6.95
Price in other shops:
The Royal Wedding: The Official AlbumPBS; Release date: 2011-05-09; Music CD
Best price: $6.69
Price in other shops:
The CrucifixionRelease date: 2005-05-17; Music CD
Best price: $5.00
Price in other shops:
Mendelssohn: ElijahRelease date: 2005-02-15; Music CD
Best price: $7.12
Price in other shops:
Stainer: The CrucifixionRelease date: 1997-04-22; Music CD
Best price: $11.85
Price in other shops:
Haydn: The Seven Last Words of ChristRelease date: 2006-05-16; Music CD
Best price: $9.90
Price in other shops:
Seven Last Words of Christ: A Sacred Cantataby Theodore Dubois
G Schirmer; Published: 2002-07; Paperback; Book
Best price: $4.94
Price in other shops:
Exultate Festival Choir & Orchestra - The Seven Last Words of ChristRelease date: 2005-06-01; Music CD
Best price: $12.99
Price in other shops: