How could anything be more exciting that putting The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square, arguably the most beloved and celebrated choral ensemble in the world, with the American music duo, The Piano Guys? Well, it has been done and the combination is beyond brilliant.
There’s no need to introduce the Tabernacle Choir to you—you know and love them. Their Music and the Spoken Word broadcast is the longest continuous radio and broadcast program in history—as this article is published, they have completed 94 years of weekly broadcasts! Maurine and I feel very connected to the choir as Maurine was one of the writer’s for the Spoken Word for 15 years.
The Piano Guys are a phenomenon. Their music videos have more that 2 billion views and they have millions of subscribers. But with all this fame and notoriety, I love what Jon Schmidt says about what they do and how they do it: “We pray before our shows. We pray before we write. We pray when we come up against problems. We just pray that God can use us, that He can work through our talents. It’s the best feeling to feel like that prayer gets answered.”
And Steven Sharp Nelson said: “Hope is powerful. I’ve been so deep in self-doubt at times that nothing could help me out except for the power of the One who descended below all things in order to lift us up. Jesus is my hope. I hope that is the feeling people experience the most as they listen or watch the music He has given us.”
This week we feature 200 members of the Tabernacle Choir performing with The Piano Guys by a movie set of Joseph Smith’s boyhood home. They present “Wayfaring Stranger” which is a traditional American folk hymn and has roots in the Appalachian region of the United States. In the Tabernacle Choir blog they state: “The origins of the hymn are unknown, but it is believed to have been written in the nineteenth century, during a time of great social and cultural upheaval in America. The hymn’s lyrics speak to the struggles and hardships of the journey through life and the hope and comfort that faith can bring in times of darkness and adversity.
“Over the years, countless artists have performed “Wayfaring Stranger,” and it has become a staple in the American musical canon. A wide range of musicians, from Johnny Cash to Emmylou Harris, have covered the song, and it has been featured in numerous movies and television shows.
“In the new single release, The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square and The Piano Guys lend their unique musical talents to create a powerful and moving rendition of “Wayfaring Stranger.” The song showcases the stunning vocal harmonies of The Tabernacle Choir backed by the soaring, virtuosic piano and cello of The Piano Guys.”
Please sit back and relax as you watch the stunning lighting and the beautiful combination of the Tabernacle Choir and the Piano guys.
