MTC Week #46 - 4,444

So today's Music & the Spoken Word broadcast marked its 4,444th performance. Rather remarkable I'd say. In fact, Brother Lloyd Newell, in his closing remarks (addressing the audience after the performance) asked that we pause for just a few seconds and consider that significant fact--also saying that it's going to be awhile before we reach #5,555. (Doing the math, that performance won't occur for another 20 years). I suppose as far as milestones go, the next one will likely be the 5,000th performance which will occur in little over 10 years. 

Numbers aside, we had a special guest join us today, Mr. Stanford Olsen, who was a soloist for two pieces. One of those, Nella Fantasia (pronounced "Neh-lah Fahn-tah-zee-ah") is definitely a favorite of mine.  The song is sung in Italian and is based on the theme "Gabriel's Oboe" from the movie "The Mission". It's composed by Ennio Morricone. 

I must confess that the movie's details aren't very fresh in my mind as it came out back in 1986 (and I saw it around 1994 while in college). However, I remember the music against a background of love, injustice, and terrible loss of life. The melody is haunting and yet beautiful. As I sang it today and listened to Mr. Olsen give the song depth and emotion, I just felt tingly all over.  


Here's one of the verses, translated into English:

In my fantasy I see a just world,
Where everyone lives in peace and honesty.
I dream of souls that are always free
Like the clouds that float

Full of humanity in the depths of the soul.

Here are a few pics from this song:

Stanford Olsen

Full choir and orchestra, along with Mr. Olsen
performing Nella Fontasia. The oboeist is below.

In other choir happenings, we continue to prepare for our upcoming Christmas Concert and have rehearsed about 8-10 songs thus far--coming in on Tuesdays (in addition to Thursdays) and staying for an extra rehearsal on Sundays after the broadcast has ended. More pieces to learn are coming (they are in the process of being written/arranged) and things are shaping up nicely. Kudos to all of the spouses and families out there who are supporting us singers while we are away so much!

Until next time, God be with you!