I'll Sing to the Lord (Live)

This is an original gospel oratorio written and performed with a touch of African ethnic and musical flavor. As in a traditional oratorio the music showcases all the elements of orchestral writing, choir and vocal soloists. Much room is also given for instrumental improvisation, African percussion, call & response chorus and vocal ad-libs that allow this live performance the necessary punch and suspense.

The old and the new testaments of the Christian Bible inspire the message of the Unseen Hand’s libretto. The comforting insight that God is gracious and active in the lives of human kind though seemingly unseen should be meaningful for anyone who finds themselves in the throes of life clouded by confusion and doubt. The lyrics convey the realities of hardship and the certainty of solutions that the bible apparently promises to be revealed to the true seeker.

The work was performed by the Swiss Youth World Music Ensemble directed by Fritz K Renold. The ensemble is enhanced by top professional artists that also functioned as coaches and role models to the young musicians as they rehearsed for this production together for a week.

Valérie Ekoume, vocals
Michael Bradley, vocals
Rashad McPherson, vocals
Chico Freeman, saxes
Max Helfenstein, tpt
Vernon 'Ice' Black, g
Etienne Stadwijk, kbd
Kai Eckhardt, b
Dana Hawkins, dr
Olivier Serigba, perc

The Swiss Youth World Music Ensemble: Lydia Renold, v; Nora Wernli, v; Leila Erdin, v; Gabriela Grossenbacher, v; Yannick Berner, v; Mirjam Harzenmoser, v; Thea Simpson, v; Hevin Karakurt, v; Lukas Setz, tp; Daniel Gieger, tp; Michelle Suess, tp; Jeannine Hersche, fl; Fabian Tschopp, fl; Alex Schneider, as; Raphael Frey, ts; Kevin Sommer, bcl; Demian Coca, kbd; Ani Wollstein, kbd; Barbara Schumacher, kbd; Sharon Renold, b; Benjamin Renold, dr/perc. & Christian Carisch dr/perc. with featured guest Christian Spiegelberg, g.

This 12 piece oratorio plus the encore tune were written by Fritz K Renold while arranged and orchestrated for the Swiss Youth World-Music Ensemble by the acclaimed and prolific writers Jamshied Sharifi, Corey Allen and Bob Freedman.
The lyrics were penned by Helen Savari, co- founder and organizer of Jazzaar Festival.

The Unseen Hand is a ‘Bandstand Learning with Role Models’ production at Jazzaar Festival, Aarau, Switzerland.