The Music
With the exception of the solo violin, performed by Tim Fisher, (1st Violins, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra) and two solos from professional baritone Jonathan Prentice, the complete 50 minute soundtrack was written and produced by Richard McLester featuring vocalist Alexandra Wehlau over a 9 month period between August 2013 and April 2014.
How Was The Music Put Together?
About 70% of the music is vocal work. For the choral sections, Richard sung tenor and bass, overdubbing the parts often up to 20 times with Alexandra doing the same for the alto and soprano sections. Even when the pieces sound as if there is more going on, the majority of sound comes from the vocals – for example, Lament of the Tenebrae consists solely of a 40 part choir, lead vocals and a simple percussion section. The rhythm sections of the CD were all programmed or played live using Native Instruments Maschine. This gives the music a contemporary feel and also meant that the pieces could be done live. The opening track features a Renaissance Shawm The Lord’s Prayer in ancient Aramaic, the original language of Jesus follows sung by Alexandra Wehlau. The music then moves through a folk song called River, River (Track 2) featuring Richard playing the Arabian Oud (the Arabic equivalent to a Lute). Tim Fisher (1st Violins, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra) features on violin. As The Lord’s Supper is instituted, Jonathan Prentice (professional baritone) opens the powerful choral piece called Sanctus (Track 3). The CD continues with a passionate Gethsemene (Track 4) (again with original Aramaic words) and follows as Jesus walks The Way Of Grief to a piece called Lament of the Tenebrae (Track 6). At Golgotha (Track 7), a frenzied party of death occurs and Jesus is crucified. The feature track of the album is We Have Fallen (Over the Edge of the World) (Track 8), a contemporary pop song of love sung by Alexandra Wehlau. There follows the massive Resurrection (Track 9), a reflective and still Agnus Dei (Track 10) and finally to finish a song of hope called Eleutheria (Track 11).To listen to preview clips from the CD, click below…
1. Lament of the Shalmaj
The overture. The piece begins with the haunting sound of a Renaissance Shawm followed by the Lord’s Prayer in Aramaic, the original language from the time of Jesus.
Listen by clicking the player below.
2. River, River
Jesus washes the feet of the disciples, echoing his earlier baptism as Judas leaves to go and betray Jesus.
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3. Sanctus
Jesus institutes the last supper with his disciples.
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4. Gethsemene
After Jesus prays in the Garden of Gethsemene, his betrayer arrives signaling to the Romans by kissing him. He is arrested and taken away.
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5. Pilate
Jesus is taken before the Roman Governor Pontius Pilate. Pilate washes his hands of Jesus and condemns him to be crucified.
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6. Lament of the Tenebrae
Jesus walks the Via Dolorosa, or the Way of Grief through Jerusalem before he ends up at the site of the crucifixion.
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7. Golgotha
Jesus reaches Golgotha, the scene of torture and torment. He is erected on a cross and crucified.
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9. Resurrection
Mary Magdalene, visiting the tomb finds that it is empty. A gardener appears to her, revealing himself as the risen Christ.
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10. Agnus Dei
The words of the Agnus Dei are “Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world. Have mercy on us. Grant us peace.”
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11. Eleutheria
Eleutheria is the Greek word for liberty, a phrase that sums up the resurrection.
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All music is strictly © copyright Conical Sphere Music 2014. All Rights Reserved. Under no circumstance should any of the music be copied or distributed without prior permission of the copyright holder.
All music has been written, performed and produced by Richard McLester (www.richardmclester.com) featuring vocalist Alexandra Wehlau.