"The Kingdom of God" was written as a partner Oratorio to "Hear! O Israel" and shares many of its orchestral and vocal themes. "The Kingdom of God" was first performed in St Eugene’s Cathedral in Derry City Northern Ireland by a mixed Catholic-Protestant Choir, and tells the story of the Church from Peter’s Confession of faith at Caesarea Phillipi to the scenes in the Book of Revelation describing the second coming of Christ. It is an oratorio of Pentecost, and shows how the Holy Spirit renews the Church as the people of God turn to him in prayer and repentance throughout history. It was researched in Israel, Rome, France and Bulgaria where the composer sought to understand revivals in the history of Christianity. It is perhaps unique as an oratorio as it combines classical forms of recitatives, solos and Choruses with free worship. At these sections depicting Pentecost, each singer and player makes their own individual 'song of praise to the Lord' as a soundscape. As an ecumenical work, it is hoped one day it will be performed in the Vatican. |