The Music of Dan Forrest
Dan Forrest (b. 1978) has been described as having “an undoubted gift for writing beautiful music….that is truly magical” (NY Concert Review), with works hailed as “magnificent, very cleverly constructed sound sculpture” (Classical Voice), and “superb writing…full of spine-tingling moments” (Salt Lake Tribune). His music has sold millions of copies, has received numerous awards and distinctions, and has become well established in the repertoire of choirs around the world via festivals, recordings, radio/TV broadcasts, and premieres in prominent international venues.
Dan’s work ranges from small choral works to instrumental solo works, wind ensemble works, and extended multi-movement works for chorus and orchestra. His Requiem for the Living (2013) and Jubilate Deo (2016) have become standard choral/orchestral repertoire for ensembles around the world, with LUX (2018), the breath of life (2020), and his new CREATION oratorio (2023) also receiving critical acclaim.
Dan holds a doctorate in composition and a master’s degree in piano performance, and served for several years as a professor and department head (music theory and composition) in higher education. He currently serves as Editor at Beckenhorst Press, Chair of the American Choral Director’s Association Composition Initiatives Committee, adjunct Faculty at Furman University, and Artist-In-Residence at Mitchell Road Presbyterian Church (Greenville, SC). Details about Dan and his work can be found at www.danforrest.com.
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The Gibraltar Classical Music Society: A Musical Journey
Jubilate Deo
The Breath of Life
The Breath of Life
Dan Forrest’s Jubilate Deo brings to life the global aspect of the traditional Psalm 100 text, “O be joyful in the Lord, all ye lands,” by setting it in seven different languages and drawing from a wide spectrum of musical influences.
The opening movement sets the ancient liturgical Latin translation of the Psalm
in a rather American musical idiom.
The second movement sets the “from age to age” portion of the text in Hebrew and Arabic, evoking ancient cultures from the Middle East.
Movement three uses Mandarin Chinese in a tranquil setting of the shepherd-sheep metaphor from the traditional text and quotes “the Lord is my shepherd” from Psalm 23, while the orchestra evokes the sounds of traditional Asian instruments.
The fourth movement shifts to Africa, setting celebratory portions of the text in Zulu and drawing from African vocal and drumming traditions.
Movement five represents Latin America, setting Spanish text to a folk-song style melody and blending traditional folk instrumental sounds with polyphonic textures from the classical choral tradition.
The sixth movement, “Song of the Earth,” portrays thearth itself singing—first wordlessly, but eventually finding its own voice—and leads seamlessly into the finale that unites many of the key themes and cultures from previous movements with other material, both old and new, as all the earth sings as one, “omnis terra, jubilate!"
The Breath of Life
The Breath of Life
The Breath of Life
Dan Forrest’s fourth major work continues in the vein of his previous major works, exploring profound themes of what it is to be human.
the breath of life ponders the beauty - yet brevity - of human life as portrayed in a single breath. Its profoundly moving texts (ranging from ancient to modern) trace the arc of life from the miracle and joy of birth to the bereavement of death, and the love that makes life worthwhile.
Written just before the events of 2020, this work speaks with a voice both prophetic and retrospective in our time.
OUR GUEST PERFORMERS
THE MOVEMENT COLLECTIVE
The Movement Collective is a cultural organisation directed by Zoe Bishop and Nikki Bishop. The Collective produces dance theatre performances, as well as various workshops, classes, event and projects that promote creativity, expression and mindfulness.
