Dave Brubeck: The Light In The Wilderness

 

Forty Days

Dave Brubeck: 

The Light In The Wilderness 

An Oratorio For Today

Text adapted from the Scriptures by Dave and Iola Brubeck

Erich Kunzel Conducting The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra

Dave Brubeck - Piano (Dave Burbeck appears through the courtesy of Columbia Records)

William Justus - Bariton

Gerre Hancock - Organ

Miami University A Cappella Singers

George Barron - Director

Frank Proto - String Bass and Del Rhuba

David Frerichs - Jazz Drums and Tablas

Produced by Israel Horowitz

Decca Records DXSA 7202

1968

From the inside cover: While meeting with Erich Kunzel in the summer of 1967 to discuss a fall pops concert, Dave Brubeck shoed him the score for "The Light In The Wilderness," which was an attempt to distill his thoughts on the universality of Christ's teachings. Excited by the music, Kunzel urged Brubeck to orchestrate it and suggested a premiere in Cincinnati under the auspices of the religious community.

"The Light in the Wilderness" was given its World Premiere by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra at its second annual Ecumenical Concert, February 29, 1968. A sell-out audience of over 3,700, which included critics from across the United States, enthusiastically hailed the oratorio. Repeat concerts ere given at the Orchestra's subscription concerts March 15 and 16 and at Miami University March 17. Decca recorded the work March 19 and 20.

___

Dave Burbeck was born in Concord, California in 1920 and raised in Ione, where his father managed a cattle ranch. Youngest of three brothers, he seemed destined for life on the ranch. Thanks, however, to the insistence of their mother – a piano teacher – that they get a basic musical education, all three Brubeck brothers have made their mark in music: Henry, as supervisor of music education in the Santa Barbara school system; Howard, Dean of Humanities at Palomar College, as composer and conductor; Dave, of course, as jazz pianist, composer and leader.

Graduating in 1942 from College of the Pacific, where he had switched from veterinary medicine to music shortly after enrolling, Dave began private studies with Darius Milhaud until World War II intervened. After Army service in both the U.S. and Urpe, he resumed studies in 1946 at Mills College, Oakland, with Milhaud.

Encouraged by his teacher to play jazz, Dave organized both a trio and an experimental octet and slowly built a following among Bay Area fans before being "discovered"simultaneously by disc jockey Jimmy Lyons and pianist Marie Choppin, both of KNBC, San Francisco. The rest, as the say, is history.

Throughout both formative and securely established years as a giant among jazz musicians, Dave had always the desire to compose extended, large-scale works as well. In later years, anxious to spend more time with his wife and six children at home in Wilton, Conn., he began reducing each year the number of appearances by the Brubeck Quartet. Finally, he made official what close followers had anticipated for some time: the quartet would disband at the close of 1967.

When jazz is in a man's blood, both as pianist-leader and as composer of more than 200 works, he does not simply shut off the flow. Dave Brubeck will continue tomato occasional appearances as jazz combo leader, with emphasis on the word occasional. He fully intends to be a serious composer, developing ideas he has nursed for years. The Light In The Wilderness – perhaps a prophetic title – is his first step in the direction. There will be many more.

Erich Kunzel has been associate conductor of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra since October, 1965. His first concert there featured the Dave Brubeck Quartet; a musical friendship which began then has since produced the premiere, and now the recording of this work. (Mr. Kunzel's first with the Cincinnati orchestra), and other collaborations are now underway. Other jazz artists, incidentally, who have appeared under Mr. Kunzel's baton include Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie, Lionel Hampton, Erroll Garner, and Sergio Mendes.

Born in New York in 1935 and raised in Greenwich, Conn., Mr. Kunzel began the study of music at age 10, and was riding arrangements and conducting his own dance band, orchestra, and light opera company by his teens. He began formal study of conducting in 1956 with the late Pierre Monteux and continued until Le Maire's death in 1964, serving also as personal assistant on Monteux's final tours of the U.S. andEurope. Today, Mr. Kunzel serves as vice-president of the Pierre Monte Memorial Foundation. He is a member of the faculty of theUniverityh of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, and music director of the school's Philharmonia Orchestra.

William Justus studied voice in Kansas City, Mo., where he made his professional debut in 1962 with the Kansas City Lyric Opera as Figaro in Rossin's The Barber Of Seville. In 1963 he won the American Opera Auditions and was awarded a contract in Milan, where he made his debut as Scapria in Tosca. Mr. Justus has since become leading baritone with opera companies in West Berlin, Zurich, Dusseldorf, and Santa Fe, performing under the baton of Mr. Kunzel at Santa Fe.

Miami University A Cappella Singers, a 100-voice mixed chorus was founded in 1938 and has repeatedly distinguished itself in performances with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra in both Music Hall and on the Oxford, Ohio, campus. The chorus has been directed since 1952 by George Barron, Dean of the School Fine Arts at Miami University.

Gerre Hancock has been organist and choir director of Cincinnati's Christ Church since 1965. He appears frequently as soloist with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, and is a member of the artist faculty of the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.

Frank Proto, a graduate of Manhattan School of Music, plays piano and harpsichord as well as bass. He is music director of the unique Symphony Jazz Quintet, comprised of Cincinnati Symphony musicians, and has written a number of original works for the group.

David Frerichs, a graduate of Curtis Institute of Music, serves as percussionist for the Symphony Jazz Quintet as well as the Cincinnati Symphony. He has accompanied pianist Duke Ellington and Erroll Garner in their concert appearances with the Cincinnati Symphony.

From Billboard - September 28, 1968: Brubeck Oratorio to Make Bow in Decca

Dave Brubeck's oratori "The Light in the Wilderness" is being issued by Decca Records, the work's premiere recording. The two-record set, one of fie Decca titles this month, features the same forces who performed the oratorio's world premiere with the Cincinnati Symphony in February.

In addition to the Cincinnati, Erich Kunzel conducts the Miami (Ohio) University A Capella Singers, baritone William Justus, and an organ and jazz combo featuring Brubeck. The same artists will perform the "The Light in the Wilderness: at Philharmonic Hall here in April before taking it on a European tour.

The Washington National Symphony plus a 350 - voice chorus will perform the work in Washington's National Cathedral in February. Later in the spring, the oratorio will be given by the Indianapolis Symphony and the Dayton Symphony. 

Brubeck's 12-part composition, which has text adapted from the Bible, alternated advance classical writing with jazz, elements of rock and Eastern music. The oratory deals with love, peace and brotherhood.

The Temptations

Forty Days

The Sermon On The Mount

The Great Commandments 

Love Your Enemies

Interlude

What Does It Profit A Man?

Yet A Little While

Praise Ye The Lord