Here, you may sample or download music found on The New Testament of Christ audio recording. If you would like to purchase this selection, click the button below.
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Father, the Hour is Come | [178KB mp3] |
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The Lord's Prayer | [268KB mp3] |
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The Perfect Gift | [284KB mp3] |
| The Contents of the Compact Disk Click the title to hear sound clip (Real Audio does not need to be downloaded) | |
| IN THE BEGINNING The Gospel of John opens with a solemn statement of divine origin of Jesus of Nazareth. The choral presentation begins with a sense of mysterious awe, given in minor mode within an atmosphere of foreboding which portends a life of suffering and ultimate sacrifice.
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| SANCTUS The praise of heavenly hosts is represented with the famous unction "Holy, Holy, Holy". Its reference that Christ is Lord of the Sabbath and the pronouncement that "the earth is full of His glory" are offered within the same context of minor tonality, as the heavenly hosts look forward to His earthly condescension.
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| WHO IS THIS CHILD? This women's chorus demonstrates two different perspectives of a mother's response to this humble nativity scene. First, the choir opens with the inquiry of the unknowing Innkeeper's wife, "Who is this Child?" Her humble questions are prompted by the noise and confusion of crowds in darkened streets outside the stable, contrasted by the singular and unexpected glimpse of heaven within. Mary's vision is at a higher plane, as she ponders this most unusual throne for the Son of God. The two perspectives join in duet, symbolic of Christ's purpose to bestow the peace of the Kingdom of God upon a dark and troubled world.
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| GLORY TO GOD In the stable, Mary and Joseph marvel at the long awaited birth of this heavenly King, while shepherds on the hillside outside Bethlehem witness an equally profound event as a host of angels sing the famous anthem "Glory to God in the Highest". This a cappella choral work represents the unique occurrence of a heavenly choir on earth announcing the birth of Christ.
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| THE PERFECT GIFT As the shepherds are led to the manger and behold the quiet reverence of this occasion, they sing this anthem of praise in partial response to the Innkeeper's earlier inquiry, "Who is this Child?" Having received the answer from the divine choir on the hillside of Bethlehem, they now share their new found insights with those present at the manger scene. Indeed, the birth of Christ does represent "the perfect gift" from a loving Father in Heaven.
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| THE BAPTISM OF CHRIST
Jesus commences his ministry by coming to the river Jordan for baptism in accordance with the will of the Father. The cello joins the choir in rendering this historical view of Christ's baptism at the hand of John the Baptist, setting an example of obedience for all mankind. Those worthy followers present at the scene receive an unexpected confirmation by the Heavenly voice, proclaiming: "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
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| PROPHECY FULFILLED
Following His baptism and a 40 day fast in the wilderness, Christ makes his way back to the city of his parents, Nazareth. His unexpected return is publicly manifest as He steps to the front of the synagogue and commences to read the well-known verses from the 6th chapter of Isaiah, so often read by the Jews in the spirit of anticipation for the coming of the Messiah. Much to the surprise of the assembled worshipers, Jesus announces, "This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears." The music opens with an anxious allegro movement as the choir portrays the emotional excitement which Christ may have felt in anticipation of revealing his true identity to those who knew him as a child.
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| MASTER WE PERISH Christ performed many miracles during his ministry, demonstrating that he was Lord of the whole earth. The choir portrays three of these miracles which are representative of His godly powers. This first work entitled "Master We Perish" reveals His marvelous power over the elements, as he calms the sea. This piece recalls the prophecy of David the Psalmist as he foresaw the wonder of the disciples to this event, "What manner of man is this?"
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| WERE THERE NOT TEN? The healing of the ten lepers is one of the most striking of the miracles performed by Christ. By following his simple instruction to "show yourselves unto the priests", ten men were cleansed of this most dreaded disease. One might ask if the hauntingly sorrowful melody of "Were there not ten?" represents a plea for mankind to overcome an inclination to overlook the importance of gratitude in daily living.
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| LAZARUS, COME FORTH!
Undoubtedly the greatest of miracles performed upon others was the raising of Lazarus from the dead. Upon learning that Lazarus was dying, Jesus intentionally delayed visiting his beloved friend. It was clear that Christ would not arrive until there was no question that Lazarus was dead, and not merely sleeping. After four days, Christ stood before a large crowd of mourners, lifted his voice to the Father and gave life back to Lazarus with the bold command, "Lazarus, come forth!"
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| I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD
The calmness of the shepherd's life is embodied in this vocal duet recalling Christ's declaration, "I am the Good Shepherd." In a style somewhat reminiscent of the harp of David, this piece opens with the quiet combination of harp, cello and piano. The male and female voices follow with the simple reminder that the true Shepherd knows his sheep, and is known of them.
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| THE LORD'S PRAYER This version of the Lord's prayer is set to an accompaniment suggesting quiet moving water, as with a deep, flowing river. While the women of the chorus maintain this peaceful atmosphere in a legato style, the men become progressively more forceful with marcato emphasis of the words, "For thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever."
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| AND HE TOOK BREAD
Christ's final moments with his disciples were spent in the upper room at "the last supper." Filled with the heavy burden of the impending atonement, Jesus teaches principles of brotherly love and service. It is at this occasion that he introduces the communion or the sacrament, asking his followers to eat and drink in remembrance of his body and blood. The men of the choir join in recalling this special ordinance.
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| THE TRANSFIGURATION OF CHRIST The preceding pieces set the stage for the heart of this work--The Prayers of the Atonement. These four prayers offered by Jesus to his Father, capture events which are worthy of the greatest adoration. The first prayerful scene occurs on the Mount of Transfiguration, where Christ has taken Peter, James and John to be witnesses of the heavenly manifestation of Moses and Elias. In this sacred scene, Christ is literally transfigured in glory before their eyes. As a final testimony to these disciples, the voice of the Father is heard from the clouds, saying, "This is my beloved Son, hear ye Him."
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| FATHER, THE HOUR IS COME At the conclusion of the last supper, only minutes from commencement of the suffering of the atonement, Christ utters what may well be the longest recorded prayer of the scriptures, comprising the full 17th chapter of John in the New Testament, sometimes referred to as the intercessory prayer. This work, which was the first of these various pieces to be composed, opens with a crescendo of funeral-like minor chords leading to a full choir entry with the Lord's petition, "Father, the hour is come. Glorify thy Son."
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| THY WILL BE DONE
Immediately following the intercessory prayer, Christ and his disciples retreat across the Valley of Kedron to the Garden of Gethsemane. Here Jesus walks a short distance from his disciples and falls to the ground, pleading with the Father, "Let this cup pass from me...nevertheless, not as I will, but as Thou wilt." This piece also opens with the funeral modality, symbolizing this sorrowful procession. The acceptance by Christ "to drink this bitter cup" is heralded with the final ascending chords of the women, declaring, "Thy will be done!"
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| FATHER FORGIVE THEM
This final work of The Prayers of the Atonement portrays the crucification scene. Opening with the chanting crowds "Crucify him, Crucify him", this piece contrasts the cruelty of man with the forgiving heart of Christ. Here, the composer offers possible thoughts that might have been part of the final moments of mortality in the life of Jesus. The message of the Savior's patience and love is frequently interrupted by the taunting shouts of the crowd to "save Thyself". This final prayer of Christ is brief, but summarizes his mortal ministry in only ten words, "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do."
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| PEACE BE UNTO YOU
Following His resurrection, Christ returns to his disciples and gives a final promise of peace, "Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let it be afraid. All power is given unto me, both in heaven and on the earth." May this offering of music contribute to your personal search for peace.
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| Christ in Gethsemane by Harry Anderson, (c) 1998 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc., Used by Permission.
For information on other recordings (video version, CD and cassette with voiced commentary) or sheet music, as well as other works by the composer, email north@tnw.com |
Learn more about theChristian Music Ring This Christian Music Ring site is maintained by Vaughn W. North |
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