Memorial Day has been celebrated in the United States since the Civil War to provide a public means of mourning those lost in battle.
This Memorial Day we're sharing a work written as a memorial for a civilian, a casualty of nothing spectacular except the end of her life.
But with her passing and a means to express his grief musically, she inspired her husband composer to not collapse into despair, but to continue his life's work.
Dominick Argento considers "Evensong: Of Love and Angels" his best work. Most of the text is original, but includes words from the office of Evening Prayer, the service for the close of day.
Premiered in March of 2008 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Washington's National Cathedral, J. Reilley Lewis leads the Cathedral Choral Society Chorus and Orchestra; Elizabeth Futral, soprano; Nelson James LePard Reed, boy soprano and Cathedral Dean Samuel T. Lloyd III, reader.
Elizabeth Futral, soprano
Nelson James LePard Reed, treble Cathderal Dean Samuel T. Lloyd III, reader
Cathedral Choral Society chorus and Orchestra
J. Reilly Lewis, Music Director
Recorded March 2, 2008, National Cathedral, Washington, DC
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