The soul-stirring expressions of a prophet's gratitude took on new meaning March 17 in the Salt Lake Tabernacle as 250 Ricks College music students performed a musical rendition of 2 Nephi 4 by LDS composer Robert Cundick.
The young musicians, consisting of the Ricks College Symphony Orchestra, A Cappella Choir and the Concert Chorale, performed "The Song of Nephi," based on the words of the Book of Mormon prophet Nephi found in 2 Nephi 4:16-35. The performance also included other sacred works by Brother Cundick, who, among many accomplishments, was Tabernacle organist from 1965 until his retirement in 1991.The Ricks College orchestra and choruses are on a seven-concert tour through Idaho and Utah. This was the fourth in the concert series. One more performance is scheduled at Ricks College April 28.
This year's concert series is another in a biennial tradition of LDS composers writing sacred works to be performed by Ricks College students. In 1993, the students performed an original oratorio by Crawford Gates. (Please see March 27, 1993, Church News.)
"This is a delightful occasion,"said President Gordon B. Hinckley, who attended the concert in the Tabernacle. He made his remarks before the concert during a dinner held in the Church Office Building for Utah members of the Ricks College President's Club.
"We're going to listen to the work of a perfectionist," President Hinckley told those listening. "Bob's done such a remarkable job as Tabernacle organist over a period of so very, very many years. You're going to hear great music because it comes from the heart of a great and good man."
Others attending the concert included President Hinckley's wife, Marjorie; President James E. Faust, second counselor in the First Presidency and his wife, Ruth; Elders L. Tom Perry and Joseph B. Wirthlin of the Council of the Twelve and their wives, Barbara and Elisa; and Relief Society Gen. Pres. Elaine L. Jack and her husband, Joseph.
Sitting by Brother Cundick's side during the performance was his wife, Charlotte, and all their children and their spouses.
Hundreds gathered on the main floor of the Tabernacle to listen to the students perform "The Song of Nephi," a cantata for tenor, chorus and orchestra. The rendition is arranged in six parts - Behold, My Soul Delighteth; My God Hath Been My Support; O Then, If I Have Seen Such Things; Awake, My Soul!; O Lord, Wilt Thou Redeem My Soul; O Lord, I Have Trusted In Thee.
With the orchestra accompanying, guest tenor soloist Michael Belnap performed alternately with the A Cappella Choir and Concert Chorale. During the final part, Brother Belnap, a Ricks College graduate who studied with Luciano Pavarotti in Pesaro, Italy, in 1994, combined with the choruses.
Other musical works by Brother Cundick performed during the evening included "Overture for a Celebration;" "Salt Water Ballads," including "Christmas Eve at Sea" and "The West Wind;" and "The Song of the Heart."
Conducting "Overture of a Celebration" and "The Song of Nephi" was R. Kevin Call, music director of the Symphony Orchestra. Also conducting during the evening were Clyde E. Luke of the A Cappella Choir and Kevin Brower of the Concert Chorale. Offering narration was Rodger Sorensen of the Ricks College Theater Arts Department. Ricks College Pres. Steven D. Bennion was announcer for the program.
As the last strains of music faded in the Tabernacle, members of the audience gave a standing ovation. Brother Cundick came to the stand and was loudly applauded.
Although most of the sacred music to be performed biennially by Ricks College students will be original works, much of this year's music had been written several years ago. "The Song of the Heart" was written for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's Canadian Tour in 1984 and is based on D&C 25:12, with additional text by Elder Neal A. Maxwell of the Council of the Twelve.
Brother Cundick wrote "The Song of Nephi" for his doctoral dissertation at the University of Utah. It was first performed in 1955 by Dr. Leroy J. Robertson, and then later by Brother Gates. However, "The Song of Nephi" had not been performed for nearly 30 years.
"This is like a phoenix arising," Brother Cundick told the Church News after the performance. In speaking of the music students, he added: "It was just an incredible performance tonight. The scores that I write are difficult. I was completely fulfilled. I could not have hoped for a better performance from these wonderful young people. I just stand in awe of the Ricks College Music Department - the students and the instructors."
Concerning his pleasure at the success of the sacred music presentation, Pres. Bennion said: "The dream lives on. Our goal is to give sacred music a spotlight. Classical music is wonderful, but every music school does that. Our goal is to tell the story of things that are spiritual and the story of the Restoration through music, as well as in other art forms and prose. We're a Church college. We ought to be contributing to that."
Brother Call underscored Pres. Bennion's expressions. "I had a student once, whose father said, `I'm so grateful that my daughter came to Ricks because she was not taught to worship at the altar of music, but to worship at the altar with music.'
"That's what we're trying to do here. That just kind of sums it all up," Brother Call explained. He added that he hopes that as an audience for LDS sacred music builds, LDS composers will create more of the same.
Pres. Bennion and Brother Call also expressed delight in giving Ricks College students the opportunity to perform music by renowned LDS composers.
One such student was Heidi Jones, 19, a sophomore from Idaho Falls, Idaho. Heidi, who plays the violin and is concert master, said: "It's a good experience, musically and spiritually. I get the opportunity to play music written not only by composers such as Bach or Beethoven, but also by composers who are under the influence of the Spirit. They can help us as performers convey that spirit to others."