Cantata of New Life

Description

Cantata of New Life is an album by John Rydgren, released on Siri Music in 1967. The album features music by Robert R. Way (who actually had been studying music, theology and philosophy, and with a background in composing for radio) and text and narration by John Rydgren. The music was recorded in Munich, Germany, in 1967 and conducted by Samuel Spence, Robert Way’s regular collaborator. Cantata Of New Life was produced for Public service broadcast by the Lutheran Churches of America in observance of The 450th Reformation Anniversary (October 29th, 1967). Aiming, in the words of the introductory voice, to depict “20th century man , reaching to touch God, and God reaching to touch man, through Christ”, capturing “the intimate searching by God and man for each other, in this moment at time.”

I don’t get particularly worked up over the word “cantata” either, but this one had an unusual cover plastered with a collage of church imagery, a coffin, the Pope, JFK, LBJ, Vietnam, astronauts, dancing hippies, plus cut-outs of phrases like USA In Asia, Sex, Love, Suburbia, Outdated Church, Unwed, Homo, etc. Intrigued, I opened up this gate-fold phenomenon whereupon I was greeted by a photo of “the man”. Hot dog! Rydgren is the chief lyricist for this strange and intelligent twenty-eight minute work. The music, composed by Robert Way (Rydgren’s predecessor as director of TV/Radio/Films for the ALC), is a modern avant-garde blend of orchestral and choral, creepy and dissonant like a ‘60s sci-f1 soundtrack, with a steamy big-beat Mancini-esque jazz mid-section. To this Rydgren adds his deep penetrating narration in his usual compelling style. On the subject of mankind: “there is a morning, for the dimensions of his soul – his being, have been numbed by darkness. Man… muted in darkness”. “Dark… mourning… darkness…” chants the choir eerily. Side two presents the same bizarre one-minute segments that appear on side four of Silhouette Segments. Released in conjunction with the 450th anniversary of the Reformation. Once again, a wonderfully weird experience! [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th edition]

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “The Cantata Of New Life” – 28:00

Side Two
B1. 12 New Life Radio Spots, 1:00 Minute Each

Note: The original LP featured a gatefold cover. Re-issued in 2012 by The Omni Recording Corporation as a part of the double CD entitled Silhouette Segments, featuring the Cantata Of New Life LP plus the Silhouette Segments 2LP, the They Say LP, and the Worlds of Youth LP, as well as extra tracks.