Evening Prayer

SATB, tenor sax*, piano
Lyrics: St. Augustine
Language: English
Duration: 6:00

* alternatives to tenor sax part (soprano & alto sax, trumpet, flugelhorn) are available for free download at olagjeilo.com/eveningprayer

Evening Prayer from 2010 was my first choral work incorporating instrumental improvisation, featuring improv passages for the tenor sax (or alternative instrument).

Having grown up with my father playing the saxophone, and more recently performing duo concerts with Ted Belledin that are wholly unplanned and improvised, I wanted to find a way to combine our collaboration with the Phoenix Chorale.

It was the final piece written for the group during my 2009-2010 residency with them, and the Chorale’s recording of the work is the final track on their 2012 Northern Lights album.

 

Watch, O Lord,
with those who wake,
or watch or weep tonight,
and give your angels charge
over those who sleep.

Tend your sick ones,
O Lord Jesus Christ;
rest your weary ones;
bless your dying ones;
soothe your suffering ones;
pity your afflicted ones;
shield your joyous ones;
and all for your love’s sake.

Amen.