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This record of SDG’s accomplishments is presented with deep gratitude for the generosity of our supporters and the goodness of God. |
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D’VORAH - A fifty-minute oratorio for chorus, orchestra and vocal soloists written by composer Paul Schoenfield. D’vorah is based on the story of Deborah, Judge and Prophetess of Israel, as recorded in the book of Judges in the Old Testament. The oratorio’s distinctiveness stems in part from its blend of classical, rock, gospel and jazz idioms. Under the direction of John Nelson, D’vorah received its world premiere in Haifa, Israel, with the Haifa Symphony Orchestra and the Oslo Gospel Choir. The U.S. premiere was given by the National Symphony and the Morgan State University Choir at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. More info on D’vorah... |
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DAYLIGHT DIVINE - A colorful work for children’s choir, chamber orchestra and soprano soloist, based on the poems Windhover and Pied Beauty by 19th century Jesuit priest, Gerard Manley Hopkins. Daylight Divine was composed by Augusta Read Thomas. The work received its premiere performance at the St. Denis Basilica in France as part of the St. Denis Festival. The presenting forces included L’Ensemble orchestral de Paris, the Indianapolis Children’s Choir and soprano, Christine Brandes. The U.S. premiere was given by the Princeton Symphony Orchestra, the American Boy Choir and soprano Sarah Pelletier. More info on Daylight Divine... |
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Commissioned Works |
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WINDOW ROCK: PETER’S DAWN - SDG’s first commissioned tone poem was based on the life of the Apostle Peter and was composed by George Arasimowicz. This 25-minute orchestral piece brilliantly captures the dramatic complexities of Peter’s life. It was premiered in Paris by L’Ensemble orchestral de Paris at the historical Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, and subsequently performed by the Saarbrucken Radio Symphony Orchestra for live radio broadcast. More info on Window Rock: Peter’s Dawn... |
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CHILDREN OF GOD - Children of God was written by Daniel Kellogg. The work is based on passages from the Bible, as well as poetry written by Dr. Jill Pelaez Baumgartner, Dean of Humanities and Theological Studies at Wheaton College. Children of God is scored for children’s choir, piano quintet, and soprano and mezzo-soprano soloists. Its focus is the subject of children in the Bible. Children of God was premiered at College Church in Wheaton, Illinois, under the direction of Charles King. More info on Children of God... |
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SONGS OF BATHSHEBA - Israeli composer Gil Shohat was SDG’s choice to compose an oratorio based on the Old Testament story of Kind David and his mistress/wife Bathsheba, a work which reflects on the story from the perspective of both characters. Songs of Bathsheba is scored for large orchestra, chorus and soprano soloist. It was premiered by the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and Chorus and soprano, Twyla Robinson, under the direction of John Nelson. More info on Songs of Bathsheba... |
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“Soli Deo Gloria’s great mission is to inspire the gifted composers of our time to address their Creator, and in so doing, help us all realize where beauty and truth come from.” - John Nelson |
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Completed Projects |
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BRETHREN - Brethren, by British composer Paul Ayres, received its premiere performance at the 100th anniversary celebration of the Wheaton College Men’s Glee Club. Written in honor of Director Emeritus of the Men’s Glee Club, Clayton Halvorsen, this SDG-commissioned piece is scored for men’s voices, pipe organ and a trio of cellos. Psalm 133 and The Great Twin Brethren, a poem by Katharine Lee Bates, provided the basis for the text of the work. The Men’s Glee Club performed Brethren under the direction of Dr. Mary Hopper on March 24, 2007, at their annual spring concert at Wheaton College, in Wheaton, Illinois. More info on Brethren... |
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REQUIEM - The largest work ever commissioned by SDG was composed by Christopher Rouse, a highly-sought composer and winner of numerous awards including a Pulitzer Prize for Music for his Concerto for Trombone and Orchestra and a Grammy Award for his Concert De Gaudi for Guitar & Orchestra. Commissioned to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the birth of composer Hector Berlioz, Rouse’s 90-minute Requiem is scored for bass-baritone soloist, children’s chorus, mixed chorus and orchestra. The world premiere of Rouse’s Requiem was presented by the Los Angeles Master Chorale on March 25, 2007. The Grammy-nominated choral ensemble was joined by baritone Sanford Sylvan, the Los Angeles Children's Choir and the Los Angeles Master Chorale Orchestra, all under the baton of Music Director Grant Gershon. Click here for reviews of the premiere performance. Click here to watch a video interview with composer Christopher Rouse. Click here to watch a video of conductor Grant Gershon previewing Rouse’s Requiem. |
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Sponsored Performances (Project Uplift) |
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Project Uplift: Russia 2005 - The Sverdlovsk State Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir together with American conductor Mark Laycock presented Verdi’s beloved Requiem, in Ekaterinburg, Russia. More info... |
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Project Uplift: Armenia 2005 - SDG sponsored a concert in Yerevan, Armenia, which featured Mozart's "Great Mass" in C Minor, conducted by John Nelson. The program also featured Beethoven's "Triple Concerto" for piano, violin, cello and orchestra. The performance was video recorded and has since been re-broadcast several times in Armenia. |
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Project Uplift: Ukraine 2003 - In another partnership with Music Mission Kiev, conductor Delta David Gier led the Kiev Symphonic Choir and Orchestra in a performance of Berlioz’ Requiem. The concert took place before a standing-room-only audience of roughly 1,200 at St. Nicolas Catholic Church in Kiev, Ukraine. More info... |
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Project Uplift: Ukraine 1997 - In partnership with Music Mission Kiev, Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 2 (Hymn of Praise) and Symphony No. 5 (Reformation) were brought to the people of Ukraine. The performance took place in Kiev, and featured the Kiev Symphonic Choir and Orchestra lead by John Nelson. More info... |
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Project Uplift: China 1996 - Together with the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra and the Shanghai Philharmonic Chorus, SDG’s Project Uplift supported the first performance of Brahms’ Requiem in China’s history. This was the first in what was to become an ongoing series of concert sponsorships from SDG designed to encourage the performance of great works of sacred music, around the world. Chinese composer Bright Sheng translated the text of the Requiem into Chinese, enabling the chorus and Chinese soloists Zheng Zhou and Ai-Lan Zhu to sing the entire work in the vernacular. Several organizations co-sponsored the event with SDG including the General Motors Corporation and the Chinese Cultural Institute. |
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Project Uplift: Costa Rica 2006 - The National Symphony Orchestra of Costa Rica, The National Symphony Chorus and the Café Chorale, under the direction of John Nelson, presented two performances of Verdi’s Four Sacred Pieces. Also included on the program was Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 4, the “Italian” symphony. A video report of this project can be viewed at www.SDGmusic.org/CostaRica |
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Project Uplift: Russia 2007 - Soli Deo Gloria returned to Ekaterinburg, Russia, to sponsor performances of Gabriel Faure’s Requiem and the Te Deum of Anton Bruckner. Conductor Alan Heatherington led the Ural Philharmonic Orchestra in performances on October 26 and 27, 2007, in SDG’s second collaboration with this ensemble. |
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LUMEN DE LUMINE - This piano concerto, written by talented American composer Jacob Bancks, celebrates the glory and mystery of Christ’s resurrection through musical reflection on the Easter Vigil Mass. Delta David Gier led the South Dakota Symphony and pianist and project visionary William Phemister in performances of the world premiere on March 15 and 16, 2008. The title, Lumen de Lumine, translated from the Latin as “Light from Light,” comes from a description of Christ found in the Nicene Creed. Click here for photos, videos and reports on the world premiere of Lumen de Lumine. |
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THE FIERY FURNACE - The San Diego Symphony, under the direction of conductor Jahja Ling, premiered Daniel Kellogg’s oratorio based on a story from the Old Testament book of Daniel, on April 25, 26 and 27, 2008. Scored for bass and tenor soloists, chorus and orchestra, Kellogg’s oratorio depicts the distress, remorse and resilient faith of the Jewish people, the vain glory of the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar and the true glory of God in deliverance from death. Click here for photos, videos and reports on the world premiere of The Fiery Furnace. |
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photo: Edward Ingold |