Deseret News | Mormon Tabernacle Choir's CD elevates U.S. folk hymns

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Mormon Tabernacle Choir's CD elevates U.S. folk hymns

ron | 9:00 p.m. May 2, 2009

I have always enjoyed listening to the choir sing. In fact I (try to) sing along with them while driving. Mr wilberg is obviouly a very talented conductor, but I wish he wouldn't change the music on the old time Latter-day saint hymns. I am sure there are many who will disagree but that is the way I feel, so I thought I would let it be known.

Golden Age | 10:47 p.m. May 2, 2009

I don't know if you people in Utah realize the unique treasure you have in the Tabernacle Choir and Mack Wilberg. I live abroad and regularly have friends that visit Salt Lake and rave about their experiences hearing the choir during their visit. The level of professionalism is the highest it's ever been and the arrangements fantastic.

is this true? | 5:39 a.m. May 3, 2009

I've heard Mack's arrangements are in favor and demand (and sell well) with non-LDS choirs and directors. Is this true? Is it true in the Bible Belt? I would love to know.

Comments continue below

Amazing Grace | 8:35 a.m. May 3, 2009

how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me,
Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,and grace my fears re-lieved;

Grace=God's unmerited gift

barbara | 9:01 a.m. May 3, 2009

I'll bet the usic is great, but the cover is blah.

To is it true? | 6:33 p.m. May 3, 2009

Yes, I live in the "Bible Belt". The vast majority of citizens are Baptist or Church of Christ, with Methodists have a strong presence as well. They LOVE the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. It is amazing how they think the LDS are not Christian but will play MTC Christmas music and patriotic songs by them. They regularly ask me what is new with the MTC and want CDs of them as gifts. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir is truly a "crossover" in type of music with Billboard and with the regular listener. This CD is fabulous. My car stereo is burning up this CD to work and back everyday on the Freeway. It is fantastic. I hope it goes platinum. I would have paid even more for it than I did, it is that good.

Looking for this? | 6:37 p.m. May 3, 2009

Yes, Walmart is selling this on its website and so is Deseret Bookstore. Get it online and will be in your mailbox in a few days. I don't live anywhere near Utah so, it is what I did. Enjoy.

Reply to: 5:12 | 8:36 p.m. May 3, 2009

It's well known that some Christians do not accept the LDS as fellow Christians, but ask a Latter-day Saint and you'll find that they DO BELIEVE that Jesus is the Son of God and therefore "Divine", that He died on the Cross at Calvary for their personal sins and for the sins of others, and that Jesus is their Savior on a personal level.

It's sad that some groups feel they have "exclusive
rights" to the love of God and Jesus and like to leave others Out who Also are Believers!!

Sure there's differences in intrepretions and understandings but to EXCLUDE others who also believe
in the Lord Jesus is very discriminatory. Been reading the wrong books too long: books that distort reality and many times even resort to name calling.

Lord Bless You....

reply to 8:36 | 10:27 p.m. May 3, 2009

I agree Jesus is God,as well as,God the father,God the holy spirit,One God=The Triune God of Christians,

Amazing Grace: | 10:52 p.m. May 3, 2009

I love the hymn. I did not think it was an authorized hymn in the LDS Church. It wasn't in my youth anyway.

I applaud them for doing it.

They also need to add Ave Maria. Beautiful music.

Bill | 10:53 p.m. May 3, 2009

"We believe in God the Eternal Father, his Son Jesus Christ and in the Holy Ghost." First Article of Faith. The difference is that we believe that both the Father and the Son have bodies of flesh and bone. We further believe the Holy Ghost to be a spirit so that it can dwell within us.

As to the MTC I have serveral of their cds that I listen to back and forth from work. I'm looking forward to getting this cd along with the cd, PRAISE TO THE MAN. For those who are non-mmembers or have left the church find time to go to one of their concerts. You will find it very spiritual and uplifting.

Anonymous | 11:09 p.m. May 3, 2009

I don't doubt this music is a Mormon rendition that was skillfully done and will appeal to many. It will not elevate this music. The old folk versions have a simplicity that reflects humility that elevates it in its own way.

This idea of it takes Mormons to elevate shows an misunderstanding of American music. It's this kind of view that isolates Mormons.

I love hearing the original recording of Hank Williams singing Amazing Grace. He did a amazing job writing I Saw the Light. I'm an atheist and student of American music raised in a Mormon family in Utah.

Lynn | 5:22 a.m. May 4, 2009

After reading the story and comments, I really want to get this CD. I live in Arkansas and there is a lot of excitement for the visit of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir to Oklahoma this summer. I think that it is wonderful to hear the choir sing the old folk songs. I've always enjoyed Amazing Grace and I'm thrilled to hear that they have a CD out now where they sing it. I'm sure they do an amazing job.

I think Anonymous is a little bitter about things in his life to go after the choir this way. The truth is that any time a great choir, of any religion, performs old and beloved songs, it elevates music. As the choir sings these songs it will bring it into the lives of people who have never heard them before and raise interest and awareness of their message and beauty to more people. That my dear, is truly elevating music. It is not the fact that they are mormon that does this, it is that they are a choir that that works so hard and joyfully to do it well.

Re: Mack Wilberg | 10:31 a.m. May 4, 2009

Long before Bro. Wilberg took the helm of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, he was renowned as an arranger of choral music. (And other arrangements, as well. Many probably don't realize that he's also a concert-level pianist. He was one of the original "American Piano Quartet.")

A previous poster mentioned "Ave Maria" as a song the Tabernacle Choir should do. They have... various arrangements, over the years. (Of course, there are probably dozens of "Ave Marias" by dozens of composers. Schubert and Mozart are the most well-known, and both have been covered by the Tabernacle Choir. But they obviously wouldn't be appropriate on a CD of "American folk spirituals.")

I always try to go see the Sunday morning "Music and the Spoken Word" broadcast when in SLC on a Sunday. The Tabernacle Choir is a blessing; they never sound better than when "at home."

Re Amazing Grace: | 11:54 a.m. May 4, 2009

I should have made myself clearer regarding Amazing Grace. It is a beautiful hymn and I have been heard it rendered in services at several denominations. I was just wondering it if is now in the hymnal of the LDS church for ordinary church services and the congregations? It wasn't when I was a youth as I was instructed that the LDS did not believe in "grace".

Ave Maria was also not included as it worshiped Mary. Just my questions.

andrejules | 12:11 p.m. May 5, 2009

RE: Amazing Grace 11:54 a.m. There has been no new LDS Hymnal created since you were young and so "Amazing Grace" is not in the current (old) LDS Hymn book. The great Lutheran hymn "How Great Thou Art" is in that hymnal however.

I am not sure where you got the idea that Mormons do not believe in the grace of God. Jesus is our Savior and through his sacrificing his life we too may receive eternal life. That is His Grace for all mankind. Members of the LDS Church simple believe that God means for us to advance beyond resurrection and eternal life. That, through obedience to His commandments, we might become truly sons and daughter of our Father in Heaven, to whom we pray.

It is true we do not believe in the "christian" triune God which is a creation that came hundreds of years after Christ's resurrection. We accept Christ's teaching that we should pray to "Our Father Which Art in Heaven." Jesus was not praying to himself but to His Father...and Our Father.

just me | 12:59 p.m. May 6, 2009

Mack Wilberg is not only brillant, he is a very nice man. He took the time after a MTC concert to come out and speak with and shake hands with the audiance, including my ten year old daughter. It's something that she, a lover of music will always treasure.

Arizona Lawyer | 9:53 a.m. May 10, 2009

I was deeply moved by the songs and lyrics of "Come Thou Fount of
Every Blessing." I love the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. It is indeed an
American institution that touches the lives of millions. As a young
boy, my primary teacher sung in the Tabernacle Choir. She was one
of six choir members killed in a tragic plane crash at Medicine Bow
Peak, Wyoming while returning from a European tour. Members of
the choir have carried on her dedication and love of music. I thnk
of her often. She taught us the feeling of music. The choirs new
album captures those deep feelings.

Allen Blodgett | 10:37 a.m. May 14, 2009

Does anyone knwo if Mo Tab will be making a music video for this CD? I know they have been in the past.

Thora Ely | 9:33 p.m. Aug. 16, 2009

Alex Boye singing, "I Want to Walk With Jesus", stirs the soul, it's the best thing on the newest CD, Called "The Fount of Every Blessing", he (Alex), sings with such feeling, and brings tears to my eyes.

Liv | 10:21 a.m. Oct. 20, 2009

"I don't doubt this music is a Mormon rendition that was skillfully done and will appeal to many. It will not elevate this music. The old folk versions have a simplicity that reflects humility that elevates it in its own way.

This idea of it takes Mormons to elevate shows an misunderstanding of American music. It's this kind of view that isolates Mormons."

The "anonymous" writer who posted this seems to have forgotten that there are thousands of new arrangements of American folk songs done by people of all religious backgrounds, and "Amazing Grace" is one of the most commonly re-invented songs. Every generation since their creation has done this. Mack Wilberg is hardly covering new territory here. That's what musicians do -- they take pieces and use their artistry to express them in what we call "arrangements." If people have a problem with that then it's because they have a problem with Mormons, not because a Mormon musician overstepped their bounds by arranging music.

Horst | 1:16 a.m. Nov. 17, 2009

I seek the text of "Father in Heaven" which is sung to the tune of "Ave Maria".
Can anyone tell me where I can find it?

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