TY - ADVS
T1 - In Lucem
A2 - Blinko, Timothy
A2 - Dawani, Archbishop Suheil
A2 - Ward, Professor James
A2 - Sagiv, Noam
A2 - Martin-Brown, Sally
N1 - The Latin text of In Lucem was translated by St Jerome in a cave which forms part of the Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem. For over 1,000 years, Jerome’s translation of the bible was the definitive version of what was the most influential book in Western Europe. The second performance of In Lucem took place in St Jerome’s Cave, Basilica of the Nativity, Bethlehem (2018).
In Lucem develops and departs from synaesthetic concepts critically explored in A New Song, written for the choir of Christ Church, Oxford. Specialist and non-specialist members of the audience expressed the sensory impact the music and words had on them and their experience at the reception of the work:
'Thank you for writing such a wonderful piece. It caused a stir for all the right reasons, and will certainly hold a place in our repertoire.’
– Professor Stephen Darlington, Director of Music and Choragus of the University of Oxford
‘It was wonderful and even better on a second hearing. Words as well by Blinko. Definitely the high point of our Nine Lessons and Carols.’
– Canon Professor Sarah Foot, Regius Professor of Ecclesiastical History, Oxford University
‘I was thrilled by a stunning performance of an astonishing new piece by Timothy Blinko at the Christ Church Carol Service.’
– Revd John Paton, Precentor of Christ Church Cathedral
A New Song can be experienced at:
https://euphoriablinko.wordpress.com/contact
Reception of In Lucem:
‘In Lucem was written by Timothy Blinko specifically for Jerusalem, for the Archbishop and the people of the Holy Lands. We thank you very, very much for this wonderful work and for your presence here with us this evening.’
– The Very Reverend Hosam Naoum, Dean of St Geroge’s Cathedral, Jerusalem (2018)
Dedicatee, Archbishop of Jerusalem Suheil Dawani (an Arab Christian interviewed by Martin Bashir for the BBC on Christmas day, 2017 about the troubles in Jerusalem) expressed that he ‘is delighted with the thought at the heart of the composition and is very moved.’ (2018)
PY - 2018/2/14
Y1 - 2018/2/14
N2 - In Lucem is a synaesthetic choral work written for the Archbishop of Jerusalem, Suheil Dawani and the University of London Church Choir. Parts of the composition were performed in St George’s Cathedral, Jerusalem, the Basilica of the Nativity, Bethlehem, and Southwark Cathedral (all in 2018). In Lucem is concerned with peace and the longstanding troubles in Jerusalem and US President Trump’s inflammatory decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel at the time of writing the work. The final complete revised version of the work was published in 2020. It sets the Latin form of John 1:5 ‘And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it’ – symbolic of Lent and the broader issues in Jerusalem and the Middle East – the darkness and the light. However, In Lucem is not just a Christian or even religious work as darkness and light are key to human experience, with wide symbolic resonances.
AB - In Lucem is a synaesthetic choral work written for the Archbishop of Jerusalem, Suheil Dawani and the University of London Church Choir. Parts of the composition were performed in St George’s Cathedral, Jerusalem, the Basilica of the Nativity, Bethlehem, and Southwark Cathedral (all in 2018). In Lucem is concerned with peace and the longstanding troubles in Jerusalem and US President Trump’s inflammatory decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel at the time of writing the work. The final complete revised version of the work was published in 2020. It sets the Latin form of John 1:5 ‘And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it’ – symbolic of Lent and the broader issues in Jerusalem and the Middle East – the darkness and the light. However, In Lucem is not just a Christian or even religious work as darkness and light are key to human experience, with wide symbolic resonances.
KW - In Lucem choral work
M3 - Composition
PB - World premiere in St George’s Cathedral, Jerusalem; second performance in the Basilica of the Nativity, Bethlehem and London Premiere in Southwark Cathedral (all in 2018)
CY - The Holy Lands
T2 - Public Performances in St Georges, Cathedral, Jerusalem, on the banks of the River Jordan, and night-time in Bethlehem
Y2 - 14 February 2018 through 18 February 2018
ER -