• John Joubert
  • Wings of Faith, Op. 143 (2003)

  • Novello & Co Ltd (World)

Commissioned by Ex Cathedra for the Birmingham Millenium Festival 2000

  • 1(pic)1(ca)1(ca)1/1000/timp.perc/pf+org/str(1.1.1.1.1)
  • chamber choir, youth choir
  • speaker (male or female), soprano, alto, tenor, 2 baritones
  • 1 hr 55 min
  • Stephen Tunnicliffe

Programme Note

Part 1: 55 mins
Part 2: 60 mins

Wings of Faith was commissioned by Ex Cathedra for the Birmingham Millennium Festival. It was originally intended as a full-length oratorio in two parts, the first dealing with the period between the Resurrection and the Ascension, the second that between Pentecost and Peter’s vision of a universal church. In the event only the Part 1 could be completed in time for the Millennium and this received its first performance on 21 March 2000 in St Philip’s Cathedral, Birmingham, by Ex Cathedra and Birmingham Contemporary Music Group conducted by Jeffrey Skidmore. Encouraged by the quality of this performance and the warmth of its reception, I resolved to complete the work as originally planned by adding Part 2, subtitled The Transforming Spirit, the composition of which was completed in 2003.

© John Joubert

The first complete performance of Wings of Faith was given by Ex Cathedra and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra conducted by Jeffrey Skidmore on 22 March 2007 at The Oratory, Birmingham.

Note on orchestration

Percussion (1 player): side drum, tenor drum, bass drum, tambourine, triangle, cymbals, tam-tam, crotales, xylophone, glockenspiel

When Part 1 is performed alone, the following instruments are NOT required:
Cor Anglais
Bass Clarinet
Triangle
Xylophone
Glockenspiel

Scores

Preview the score

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