Composer

:

Duke Ellington

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

The Second Sacred Concert is a jazz composition by Duke Ellington, premiered on January 19, 1968, at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City. The concert was a continuation of Ellington's exploration of sacred music, which began with his First Sacred Concert in 1965. The Second Sacred Concert is divided into three movements, each with its own distinct character and musical style. The first movement, "In the Beginning God," is a bluesy, gospel-infused piece that sets the tone for the entire concert. The second movement, "Tell Me It's the Truth," is a more contemplative piece that features a solo by Ellington on the piano. The final movement, "The Lord's Prayer," is a rousing, upbeat piece that brings the concert to a joyful conclusion. One of the defining characteristics of the Second Sacred Concert is its use of a large choir, which sings in a call-and-response style with the soloists and the orchestra. The choir is made up of both professional singers and members of the Abyssinian Baptist Church choir, which gives the concert a distinctly African-American flavor. Another notable feature of the Second Sacred Concert is its use of jazz improvisation, which is woven throughout the entire piece. Ellington himself takes several solos on the piano, and other members of the orchestra are given ample opportunity to showcase their improvisational skills. Overall, the Second Sacred Concert is a powerful and moving work that showcases Ellington's unique ability to blend jazz and sacred music into a seamless whole. Its premiere at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine was a landmark event in the history of jazz, and it continues to be performed and celebrated to this day.

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