The April 8, 1962 Performance
Scottish Rite Cathedral
St. Louis, Missouri
Between 1940 and 1962, the cantata was occasionally
performed at churches in the St. Louis area, and David Thornton had
taken a position at the Trinity Presbyterian Church in St. Louis. Then,
early in 1962, David Thornton had the idea of a collaborative
performance by the St. Louis choirs that had previously performed the
cantata. Twenty-three churches responded to the idea, and the result
was a magnificent performance on April 8, 1962 at the Scottish
Rite Cathedral. Participating that day were 273 singers and a
42-piece orchestra who performed before the 2,100 people in
attendance. Four soloists were featured that day.
Soloists on April 8, 1962
|
Roberta Scholin |
Soprano |
Area soloist and daughter of
C. Albert Scholin, whose music company published the
cantata |
|
Marjorie Stormont Mowry |
Contralto |
Soloist from Trinity Presbyterian Church
where David Thornton was Music Minister |
|
William McDonald |
Tenor |
Unknown association with David Thornton but a
later colleague of Thomas King at Indiana University, where both men were doing graduate work in music. |
|
Vern Shinall |
Bass-baritone
|
Unknown association with David Thornton, but
later a famous singer with the New York City Opera company |
Images from the 1962 LP Album
Front cover of album from 1962 LP recording.
Additional Images from The 1962 LP Album
Back cover of album from 1962
LP recording, photographed at the Scottish Rite Cathedral.
Visiting
A message to all who visit this website
This
project is a labor of love by those who delight in and have been
blessed by this wonderful work of music. It is our prayer that God will
use it again to bless the hearts of many more through this old
recording and inspire interest in others to produce future performances.
To
GOD be the Glory!