Debbie Wiseman - Absolute Truth

Absolute Truth

BBC Music WMSF-6000-2
Released in 1998
Running Time: 50 minutes 52 seconds

Track Listing:

Absolute Truth (3:05)
Smile of History (1:49)
Succession (1:35)
Kyrie (1:40)
Conspiracies (2:14)
Out of the Wilderness - Part 1 (traditional, performed by the St. Peters Catholic Choir) (1:43)
Heritage (2:09)
Conclave (2:40)
Blessed Are The Poor (1:52)
Out of the Wilderness - Part 2 (traditional, performed by the St. Peters Catholic Choir) (1:45)
Glorificat (1:45)
Light of Faith (2:16)
Question of Power (1:48)
Domine Deus (1:29)
Heart of Zambia (traditional, performed the Regiment Parish Choir) (5:10)
Remembrance (1:34)
Requiem (1:54)
Hope (traditional, performed by the Inter Religious Choir for Cochin) (6:06)
Expedition (1:14)
Inheritance (1:07)
Battle for Souls (4:26)

Music composed, conducted and orchestrated by Debbie Wiseman.
Featured musical soloists Perry Montague-Mason, Justin Pearson, Mike Winfield and Debbie Wiseman.
Recorded and mixed by Dick Lewzey.
Mastered by Mike Brown.
Album produced by Debbie Wiseman.

LINER NOTES

The image and the direction of the Catholic Church has undergone a monumental transformation over the past three decades; moving steadily away, on most fronts, from the insular attitudes of the Middle Ages and into the 20th century - just in time to take on the ever-increasing social and political challenges of the 21st. I have attempted to express in musical terms the machinations of this metamorphosis, particularly the fierce and acrimonious struggle between the conservative and the progressive, the old guard and the new wave, through the medium of what is to me an enduringly powerful religious image - the choir. As the story unfolds, depicting the spark of revolution within the Church ignited by John XXIII which grew and developed through Paul VI and is now carried as a torch of faith all around the Christian world by John Paul II who took the name of his short-lived predecessor, I hope, a strong atmospheric backdrop - a collection of, and a commentary on, the historical events that reshaped the Catholic Church - for better, or worse.

The BBC Symphony Chorus were absolutely vital to this musical atmosphere and I was very fortunate to have worked with them on this project. My warmest thanks to all the choristers, Malcolm Hicks and Graham Wood.

Debbie Wiseman

ABOUT THE SERIES

Produced by Farrah Durrant.
Narrated by Edward Stourton.

A BBC documentary series exloring of the modern history of Catholic church. Over the course of the series it follows Popes, Pontiffs and religious leaders across the globe, from Europe to Africa to Latin America, and their place in the chain of events which helped make the catholic faith what it is today.