Cantatas for Christmas and Easter highlight this CD with more than 70 minutes of music! Both cantatas offer superb, liturgically sound texts from librettist Almeda Berkey, who also conducts these premiere recorded performances. With the composer at the piano throughout, the choral forces bring the words of Christmas and Easter to life!
The Glory of His Majesty (Christmas) is an eclectic mixture of musical style and textures in whcih we experience the angularity of the baroque, jazz of the 20th Century, as well as dissonance associated with the avante garde. The simplicity of a treble solo is juxtaposed with the robust sound of a male quartet, and the suggestion of Gregorian chant is also heard. Jackson and Almeda call it their personal gift of praise to
Jackson Berkey's Cantatas
Omaha Cantata Choir
Almeda Berkey, Music Director
Almeda Berkey, Music Director
Celebrate Christmas and Easter with Music!
Suggested Retail
$15.98 / $10.98
SDG 942 CD/Cassette
the God of might and power, and to His son. The Glory of His Majesty is scored for large mixed chorus, varied soloists, piano, organ, electric piano and synthesizer.
Come, Follow Me! (Easter) was written to function as a major, dramatic presentation for Palm Sunday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, or during the Great Fifty Days following the Resurrection. This cantata has been performed annually in Omaha by the Berkeys since 1980. Since 1988, it has opened the Great Fifty Days Concert Series at St. Cecilia's Cathedral, the tenth largest Catholic cathedral in the United States. Come, Follow Me! is scored for large mixed chorus, varied soloists, piano, 2 organs, synthesizer, full percussion, earthquake and dramatic narrator.
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THE MUSIC OF jackson berkey's cantatas
Quotes & Reviews
THE GLORY OF HIS MAJESTY (A Christmas Cantata) Barcarolle The Annunciation Magnificat Above All Names God's Perfect Sign God of Light Exultate! Jubilate! Celebrate! Barcarolle II Lullaby (Baby Jesus, Asleep in my Arms) Lift Him Up! The Glory of His Majesty Finale
COME, FOLLOW ME! (The Easter Celebration) Joy, Great Joy! Come, Follow Me! The Priceless Touch Mary Magdalena Rejoice Round! Gently, Gently Hosanna! Simon Peter Gethsemane Prayer Peter's Denial The Crucifixion Earthquake Our Lord is Risen! Finale
COME, FOLLOW ME! (The Easter Celebration) Joy, Great Joy! Come, Follow Me! The Priceless Touch Mary Magdalena Rejoice Round! Gently, Gently Hosanna! Simon Peter Gethsemane Prayer Peter's Denial The Crucifixion Earthquake Our Lord is Risen! Finale
"Almeda and Jackson are truly gifted musicians and their [cantatas] reflect their talents...I am moved musically and spiritually. It is an amazing experience..."
Alison Hart Cirenza
Essex Fells, NJ
5/7/01
Alison Hart Cirenza
Essex Fells, NJ
5/7/01
It's never Christmas (Easter) until I've heard the Berkey Cantata.
Katherine Thomas
"When the quartet started after the lullaby solo [The Glory of His Majesty], I could feel Christmas in my toes."
Jennifer Krupa
Chandler, AZ
"The Berkey Cantatas have been part of my holidays since 1984, and I enjoy the music and spiritual uplifting more each year. They make the Christmas and Easter season complete for me".
Marilyn Oldenhuis
Omaha, NE
