Los Angeles, CA (Top40 Charts / Orchestra Unleashed) An award-winning composer has created a modern orchestral project that marries new music with the ancient story of Jacob and his twelve sons. The Orchestra Unleashed (TOU), renowned for its accomplishments in bringing living composers and their work to modern audiences is teaming up with Metropolitan Opera star Philip Webb to produce Storms in the Desert. A biblically-themed recording project, Storms in the Desert recreates the gripping narrative from
Genesis 49, where Jacob blesses and curses his twelve sons.
Gustav Hoyer , Artistic
Director for TOU, has a proven track record of presenting live events of new music. Since 2009, TOU has produced a series of live orchestral and art performances in Los Angeles. Gustav Hoyer has composed numerous scores for concert hall, stage, and screen. He co-produced the acclaimed play Acts the 3-Man Show with Bryce Lenon , and composed the soundtrack. This next project will be TOU's first focused on recording. Hoyer will be creating much of the music for this project, along with scores by other living composers. TOU will issue a Call For Scores to composers worldwide from July to August with plans to record in October, with final release in December 2013. More details will follow on the website theorchestraunleashed.com.
Says Hoyer, "Many of Western Civilization's most enduring works draw on its Judeo-Christian heritage. There is incredible drama in the words that the patriarch Jacob speaks to his sons on his deathbed. This project will bring the majesty of the orchestra together with the power of Mr. Webb's voice, bringing this iconic moment to life through music."
Tenor Philip Webb is no stranger to acclaim, having performed with symphonies and opera theaters all over the world, including the world renowned Metropolitan Opera in New York. Philip's voice encompasses a wide variety of roles and interpretations. He has performed leading roles from operas such as Otello, La Forza del Destino, Aida, and Don Carlo . His other opera credits include roles from Turandot, Manon Lescaut , Madama Butterfly, Tosca and Il Tabarro, Lohengrin, Die Walkure, Der fliegende Hollander, Die Meistersinger, Ariadne auf Naxos and Fidelio.
The project is raising funds through kickstarter.com (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/972274617/storms-in-the-desert-the-sons-of-jacob) with some unique rewards for backers. There are opportunities for backers to attend the recording sessions in Prague, access to a private concert by Philip Webb , and a pass to enjoy a specially developed 3-D computer visualizer. All supporters will receive a copy of the final recording along with ongoing updates on the planning, composition, recording, and producing process.
This is the first collaboration between Hoyer and Webb. Their shared commitment to artistic excellence and their mutual Christian faith promises a project that will connect with audiences beyond the traditional reach of classical music.
This project will also include voice-over recordings by actor JD Jackson. His credits include guest-star roles on House MD, ER, Law & Order, Third Watch, and a recurring role on Hack, as well as recording many audiobooks. He recently received an Audiophile Earphone Award for his work on Sharon Draper's Just Another Hero.
Storms in the Desert will be recorded in the Czech capital of Prague, a city with a long and rich history of orchestral music back to before the days of Mozart.
