PROGRAM
- ANDRÉ J. THOMAS I Dream a World
- OLA GJEILO Sacred Heart (Ubi Caritas III)
- OSCAR PETERSON Hymn to Freedom
- STEVE DIAMOND & SUE SHERIDAN We Will Find a Way
- RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN You’ll Never Walk Alone
Link to original YouTube video
In this online concert, combining virtual and prerecorded performances, we explore the inspiring feeling of Hope—what it is and why it is so important. Rather than being a simple sense of optimism or wishful thinking, Hope turns out to be a crucial element in the accomplishment of any dream or goal we may have. It involves courage and strategy and work for a better future.
The music chosen for the concert expresses both dreams for a better world and the pathways to fulfilling those dreams. The text of “I Dream a World” by André J. Thomas is by the eminent poet, author and activist, Langston Hughes, whose life and work were enormously influential during the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s.
I dream a world where man
No other man will scorn,
Where love will bless the earth
And peace its paths adorn
I dream a world where all
Will know sweet freedom’s way,
Where greed no longer saps the soul
Nor avarice blights our day.
A world I dream where black or white,
Whatever race you be,
Will share the bounties of the earth
And every man is free,
Where wretchedness will hang its head
And joy, like a pearl,
Attends the needs of all mankind–
Of such I dream, my world!
Norwegian-American composer, Ola Gjeilo, is one of the most popular choral composers today. Influenced by film music, his distinctive soundworld is often described as cinematic and evocative, with lush, harmonious colours.
His beautiful “Sacred Heart” was recorded at our 2018 concert, Grant Us Peace, accompanied by London Symphonia. It is a setting, third in the series, of the second verse of the 8th century Latin hymn, Ubi caritas et amor deus ibi est. The words seem particularly pertinent today, 1,230 years later.
Where charity and love are, God is there.
As we are gathered into one body,
Beware, lest we be divided in mind.
Let evil impulses stop, let controversy cease.
And may the love of Christ be in our midst.
Canada’s jazz piano icon, Oscar Peterson, wrote his classic, “Hymn to Freedom” in the 1960s, inspired by the Civil Rights Movement and his childhood memory of Baptist anthems in Montreal. The text was written by lyricist, Harriette Hamilton, who said, “all the lyrics had to do was express in very simple language the hope for unity, peace and dignity for mankind. It was easy to write.”
“We Will Find a Way” was written for the 1994 Whoopi Goldberg film, Corrina, Corrina. It was a perfect addition to the KSS concert, Road to Freedom, which combines music and story about the journey of enslaved people up to Canada via the Underground Railroad, a network of secret routes and safe houses. The popular concert was released on CD in 2009 featuring vocalist Denise Pelley with pianist and bandleader, Stephen Holowitz, along with Buxton Museum curators, Shannon and Bryan Prince, who read letters from people on that journey. The CD is available at https://kssingers.com/recordings/.
We finish the concert with the famous tribute to Hope, “You’ll Never Walk Alone”, from the 1945 musical Carousel by Rodgers & Hammerstein. It was written to provide comfort and inspire courage. It has continued to do so at many special events, including concerts to mark the tragedy of 9/11. In 2020, Dutch radio stations were asked to air the song simultaneously to support people affected by the Coronavirus. Joined by other European countries, a total of 183 radio stations played “You’ll Never Walk Alone” at the appointed time. For many in the UK and Europe, it has become the anthem of support for medical staff, first responders, and those in quarantine during the pandemic.
It is our wish that this concert will help extend the power of Hope to you and yours and far beyond as we “Dream a World”.
In lieu of tickets for this concert, we ask that you consider making a tax deductible donation to help us continue to Sing Joy! Thank you!
ARTISTS
Artistic Director
vocalist
pianist, bandleader
https://londonsymphonia.ca
