Composer Paul Moravec and librettist Mark Campbell discovered the equal power of the oratorio form for musical storytelling in "Sanctuary Road," after previously collaborating on an opera.
Notable Performances
The Oratorio Society of New York, which commissioned and premiered "Sanctuary Road," has a long legacy of first performances, including the US premiere of Brahms's "Ein deutsches Requiem" in 1877.
Recording & Production
This recording of "Sanctuary Road" is a world premiere recording, captured live on May 7, 2018, at Carnegie Hall in New York City.
Composition History
The oratorio "Sanctuary Road" is based on the writings of William Still, an African American conductor on the Underground Railroad, whose 1872 book "The Underground Railroad" detailed the escape accounts of some 800 fugitive slaves.
Composition History
Paul Moravec's "Sanctuary Road" is the second in his series of large-scale works called 'American historical oratorios,' following "The Blizzard Voices."
Compositional Technique
In "Sanctuary Road," the chorus acts as both a participant and a commentator, suggesting the epic nature of the stories, while the five soloists recount the details.
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