BC Search Me O God
Further information about Deus Ex Musica’s presentation at the national conference of the International Council of Christians and Jews.
Search Me, O God: A Musical Exploration of the Psalms
THURSDAY 7 NOVEMBER 2024 5:30-7:00 PM EST
Boston College, Boston, Massachusetts
Co-presented by the Boston College Center for Christian-Jewish Learning, Music Department, Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences , Theology, Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences
This interactive event used live performances of brand-new psalm-inspired compositions as a springboard for discussion about the Bible and faith. By illuminating the depth, richness, and beauty of the psalms, this event provided a unique opportunity for Jews and Christians to celebrate and explore the power of our shared sacred texts. Featuring new works written expressly for Deus Ex Musica by a collection of award-winning Jewish and Christian composers. Performed by acclaimed Israeli-American violinist Yonah Zur. Hosted by Deus Ex Musica founder Delvyn Case. Featuring works appearing on Search Me, O God, Deus Ex Musica’s recording of brand-new works inspired by the psalms.
WATCH THE VIDEO HERE.
READ THE ARTICLE FROM THE STRAD MAGAZINE ABOUT THE ORIGINAL CONTEXT FOR THE CREATION OF THESE WORKS.
Yonah Zur regularly performs throughout the US, Israel, and Europe as a soloist and chamber musician in both traditional as well as contemporary repertoire. He has appeared as a soloist with the Jerusalem Symphony, the Israel Contemporary Players, and the Israel Camerata Jerusalem. Zur has given numerous world premieres, including the premiere performance of the Violin Concerto by his father, Menachem Zur. His recordings of works by Louis Karchin, Chester Biscardi, Paul Moravec and Robert Cuckson have appeared on the Naxos, Albany Records, and ArkivMusic labels.
Delvyn Case is an American composer and scholar whose work explores the ways sacred music can serve as a resource for theological thinking, interfaith dialogue, and spiritual formation. He has developed interfaith projects in collaboration with a wide range of institutions in the US and UK, including the Cambridge Inter-faith Programme, Hebrew College, the Yale Institute of Sacred Music, and the International Council of Christians and Jews. In 2024 he served as a Visiting Fellow at Exeter College, Oxford, and he will spend the summer of 2025 as a fellow at the Woolf Institute at the University of Cambridge, a research center for interfaith studies. He currently teaches at Wheaton College in Norton, Massachusetts.
THE COMPOSITIONS
The compositions featured at this event have recently been released on Deus Ex Musica Records’ new recording SEARCH ME, O GOD - New Violin Works Inspired by the Psalms. Performed by acclaimed violinists Sarita Kwok, Megumi Stohs-Lewis, Chase Spruill, and Yonah Zur. Listen to the complete album here.
Joelle Wallach - Beside the Still Waters (Psalm 23)
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”
Joseph Jones - Psalm 33
“Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous;
it is fitting for the upright to praise him.
Praise the Lord with the harp;
make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.”
Judith Lang Zaimont: My Heart Within Me is Desolate (Psalm 143:4)
“Hear my prayer, O Lord, give ear to my supplications...
For the enemy hath persecuted my soul...
My spirit is overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate.” ”
Delvyn Case - Psalm 133
“Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!
It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes!”