Gordon Cherry has been running Cherry Classics for over 20 years. He is a leading professional Trombonist in North America, having performed as Principal Trombonist of the Vancouver Symphony, and the CBC Radio Orchestra. As well, Gordon has taught hundreds of Brass students for over 30 years at the University of British Columbia and many international leading music festivals.Details
Nearer, My God, to Thee, a paraphrase of the Hymn by Carl Nielsen arranged for 10-part Brass Ensemble, Organ, Timpani and Percussion by Niels-Ole Bo Johansen.
The Titanic disaster in 1912 shook the whole world and soon after, a Danish committee decided to produce a charity concert for the Danish victims of the catastrophe. Supposedly, the Hymn Bethany by Lowell Mason (1792-1872) – better known as Nearer, My God, to Thee with text by Sarah F. Adams (1805-1848) was the tune the ship’s orchestra played as it sank. The hymn became the motif of Carl Nielsen’s paraphrase. Due to a heavy workload as a conductor, he gave a hand-written condensed score with some indications on instrumentation to the experienced army band musician and composer Julius Reesen (1854-1932), asking him to orchestrate it.
The music includes a screeching depiction of the ship's collision with the iceberg.
Niels-Ole Bo Johansen's arrangement is scored for 3 Trumpets in C (B-flat parts as well), 2 Horns, 3 Trombones, Euphonium, Tuba, Timpani, Organ and Percussion. It is suitable for advanced performers and is about 4 minutes in length.