“The Redeemer”

Well, it was gratifying to see Robert Cundick: A Sacred Service of Music finally up on television.  I had not fully realized, before we began work on the film, how much work goes into every minute of a movie.

You can watch and listen to a performance, by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Orchestra at Temple Square, of Brother Cundick’s oratorio The Redeemer (1:22:23 long) here:

There are several passages that nearly reduce me to tears every time I hear them.

I wrote a Deseret News column about Brother Cundick’s work back in April 2014:

“‘Preach the gospel always; if necessary, use words'”

When I first heard The Redeemer many years ago, I confess, it had little impact on me.  That has long since changed.  I find it deeply moving, and bits of it will come into my mind at the oddest moments.  And, of course, the great chorus “He is the root and the offspring of David” gets me to the very core.

Here are two performances of that chorus:

The Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Orchestra at Temple Square (2008)

The Portland Ensign Choir and Orchestra (2012)

I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. . . .

He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

Revelation 22:16-17, 20

***

Some may wonder what on earth the Interpreter Foundation is doing, producing a video about an organist and composer.  After all, isn’t our focus most clearly shown in our scripture roundtables and in Interpreter: A Journal of Mormon Scripture?  Isn’t our primary emphasis on antiquity and ancient scriptural texts?

Well, yes.  That’s our principal focus.

Let me say, first, that this film was separately funded from the rest of the Foundation, and that it didn’t distract from the publication of our journal and other such activities.

But permit me to explain just a bit further:

A couple of years ago, some of us began to think of a series — now called “Foundation Stones,” of which Robert Cundick: A Sacred Service of Music represents the first installment, but, I hope, not the last — that would profile people, and summarize the work of people, who have devoted much of their lives to the faithful and intense study of the scriptures and the Gospel, and to expressing what they’ve found in that study.  Future efforts, if they come about as we hope, will concentrate mostly upon scholars and writers.  But we started with a composer, and we hope also to do at least one film focused on the relevant visual arts.  We’ve already done some further filming toward future productions.  (More funding would help!  Hint, hint.)

***

In southeastern Texas and southwestern Louisiana, the Church continues to walk in the steps of the Savior:

“UPDATE: Flooded Texas City Receives Fresh Water”

***

Some may perhaps find this article, by S. Michael Wilcox, helpful:

“10 Ways to Get More from Your Temple Experience”