The Greatest Thing In The World

Orchestral

Oct 25

1996 sop, strings, sop sax, pno 52 min

Description

The piece starts with a ten minute prelude for piano and orchestra, with the subtitle of “straight is the gate, and narrow is the way”. The remaining music is an extended vocalise for soprano and orchestra.

This piece is my artistic response to the ideas in Henry Drummond’s book “The Greatest Thing in the World.” Each section is based on an aspect of love: patience, kindness, generosity, humility, courtesy, unselfishness, good temper, gentleness, sincerity, land love. The music didn’t come from some intellectual plan, but is the natural result of dwelling on the ideas in the book. Drummond magnifies and expands Paul’s teaching on love. Love has many facets and each one has a distinct feeling and purpose, so each piece of music has a different mood and character.

Drummond carefully analyzes I Corinthians 13, and breaks it down into nine qualities, which can be learned, understood and practiced. Paul used to chase down and kill Christians before he became a Christian. Therefore, he knows firsthand what it takes to learn how to love. Paul is able to identify all of the things needed to become a truly loving person because he learned to live each quality.

The main reason I wrote this music is to draw attention to Drummond’s ideas on love, and I wanted to write music for Julia Wade to sing. I love Drummond’s book because it reminds me, over and over again, how important it is to be patient, generous, courteous, kind and sincere, and it teaches you how to assimilate these qualities into one’s own character.

Details

Recording Information
Peter B. Allen Composer & Pianist
Julia Wade Soprano
Mary Chun Conductor
Victor Romasevich Violin I
Rudy Kraemer Violin II
Nancy Ellis Viola I
Roxann Jacobson Viola II
Mariam Perkoff Cello
Steve Tramontozzi Bass
Brian Scanlon Soprano Saxophone*
Barry Koron Piano *Greatest Thing In The World Only

Produced by Désirée Goyette
Music Recorded at Spark by John Vigran
Music Mixed at Music Annex by John Vigran
Mastering at Music Annex by John Carr
Recorded April 27–May 10, 1998