Dekalb: A musical composition about Mother Teresa by an American professor that also uses Hindustani raga and Albanian folk dance is all set to be performed at the Northern Illinois University
“Poorest of the Poor,” written by Professor Thomas Bough will be performed by the Northern Illinois University Wind Symphony and the Concert Choir on October 25.
“The music was written to reflect (Mother Teresa’s) childhood in Albania, her life and work in Calcutta, and to literally tell her story in music and song,” says Bough. “(It) begins with an Albanian folk dance that depicts the musical character of the land of her birth,” he says.
“Since her ministry in Calcutta, India, lasted nearly 50 years, the next portion of the music draws from the North Indian (Hindustani) tradition. The melody of this section is based on the raga called Bhairavi, which includes a number of tones recognized in Western music as chromaticism. The words of the song … tell the story of her life and ministry, largely by quoting her favorite Bible verses,” he explains.
The free performance will take place in the Boutell Memorial Concert Hall in the Music Building on Lucinda Avenue at the east end of the university.
The composition was commissioned by the University of San Diego and their band director, Jeff Malecki. It was performed first by them on September 25, 2016.
Bough says writing the piece was “an amazing journey” for him. He credits several people’s help “to tell the story of Mother Teresa (now Saint Teresa) in the music and song.”
(Source: observer.rockforddiocese.org)