The first performance of Nancy Galbraith's cantata 'God of Justice', reviewed by Carson Cooman

<< -- 3 -- Carson P Cooman 'YOU ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD!'

Conductor Thomas Octave presided over an excellent orchestral ensemble of professional community musicians and a combined choir of local choral society members and local parish church choirs. Mezzo-soprano Mimi Lerner provided a warm sound across her register, and the two boy soprano soloists added a wonderful contrasting color.

Kudos to composer Galbraith for what is a magnificent choral achievement. It is hoped that a recording may be available in the future and that this work might enter the repertory of community oratorio/choral societies, for whom it is tailor-made.

Kudos also to the Sisters of Divine Providence for their wonderful idea to celebrate this important anniversary of their service organization by commissioning a large-scale new piece of music. Would that more organizations thought this way!

The world première of God of Justice (2004) for chorus, soloists, orchestra, and narrator by Nancy Galbraith, was given in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA on 18 September 2004 (with a repeat performance on 20 September 2004) by mezzo soprano Mimi Lerner, narrator Paul Johnston, boy sopranos Daniel Salera and Joseph Helinski and the Providence Festival Hills Chorus and Orchestra, conducted by Thomas Octave.

Further information about Nancy Galbraith is available from her website, www.nancygalbraith.com, which also contains information on a recently released commercial recording containing Galbraith's Missa Mysteriorum for SATB chorus and wind ensemble - Galbraith's last large-scale choral work.

Nancy Galbraith's chamber music CD Atacama, featuring Atacama Sonata (2001), Inquiet Spirits (2000), Wind Symphony No 1 (1996), Piano Sonata No 1 (1997) and Dos Danzas Latinas (2002) was reviewed here by Carson Cooman in October 2003.

About the author:

Carson P Cooman is an active composer and organist based in the Eastern USA. He has over four hundred and fifty commissioned and published compositions to his credit. As an organ performer, he specializes in contemporary music and over one hundred and twenty works have been written specifically for him by composers from around the world.

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