J.J.Wright
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Concertized sacred work · Choir · Chamber ensemble · Jazz · Album · 2019

Vespers for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception

An eleven-movement concert work in which chant, Baroque motets, choir, strings, continuo, original composition, and jazz improvisation occupy the same hour.

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01About the work

Centuries occupy the same hour.

Vespers for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception uses the shape and proper texts of Vespers to enter the mystery of Mary’s conception. Gregorian chant draws the first boundary; Baroque motets, original composition, choir, solo voices, strings, continuo, and jazz improvisation meet inside it.

The work was premiered on December 7, 2014. The recording features the St. Patrick’s Cathedral Choir, Fifth House Ensemble, Ike Sturm, Zach Harmon, Nathan Ellman-Bell, and vocal soloists Arwen Myers, Laura Thoreson, Brendan Tuohy, and David Farwig. It was recorded May 25–28, 2016 in Leighton Hall at the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center, University of Notre Dame, and June 21, 2017 at Bunker Studios in Brooklyn, New York.

People and credits

J.J. Wright
Executive producer · Composer · Piano · Conductor · Arranger · Orchestrator
The St. Patrick’s Cathedral Choir
Choir
Dr. Jennifer Pascual
Conductor · Music director
Charlene Kluegel
Violin I · Fifth House Ensemble
Anne-Sophie Paquet
Violin II · Fifth House Ensemble
Michael Schneider
Viola · Fifth House Ensemble
Herine Coetzee Koschak
Cello · Fifth House Ensemble
Ike Sturm
Bass
Zach Harmon
Drums · tracks 3, 8, 10
Nathan Ellman-Bell
Drums · track 5
Arwen Myers
Soprano soloist
Laura Thoreson
Mezzo-soprano soloist
Brendan Tuohy
Tenor soloist
David Farwig
Baritone soloist
Recording
May 25–28, 2016 · Leighton Hall, DeBartolo Performing Arts Center, University of Notre Dame; June 21, 2017 · Bunker Studios, Brooklyn, New York
Robert Friedrich
Engineering · mixing · mastering · Five/Four Productions, Ltd.
Thomas C. Moore
Producer · Five/Four Productions Ltd.
Daniel Stein
Assistant producer
Daniel Mitsui and Carl E. Olson
Artwork and layout
Alexandra Wright
Dedication
J.J. Wright Music and Ignatius Press
© 2019

Track list

  1. 01Invitatory1:16
  2. 02Salve Regina5:42
  3. 03Antiphon I / Psalm 1137:47
  4. 04Covered Me4:27
  5. 05He7:42
  6. 06Intercessions2:05
  7. 07Our Father1:40
  8. 08Hail Mary8:14
  9. 09Magnificat8:21
  10. 10Collect6:45
  11. 11Final Blessing0:55