"The Other Swedes"
~ Celebrating Them ~
~ The Lindsborg Swedes, Their Neighbors & Friends ~
<> Their Legacy "Messiah" Performances <>
1976
Dr. Elmer Copley
(1925-1991)
~ Remembering him as the “Messiah” conductor for the Bethany College
"Swedish King’s," Carl XVI Gustaf's, performance
~ Celebrating Them ~
~ The Lindsborg Swedes, Their Neighbors & Friends ~
<> Their Legacy "Messiah" Performances <>
1976
Dr. Elmer Copley
(1925-1991)
~ Remembering him as the “Messiah” conductor for the Bethany College
"Swedish King’s," Carl XVI Gustaf's, performance
This was truly an important, if not the most historically important, special public performance of the Lindsborg Bethany College Oratorio Society of Handel's Messiah on the day before Easter, Saturday, April 17, 1976, for His Majesty Carl XVI Gustaf, King of Sweden, with Bethany College President Dr. Arvin W. Hahn presiding. The King was on a U. S. Bicentennial – year tour of this country, April 2 through 28, 1976.
To pull it off, there could be no better conductor carrying on this great tradition, that began in 1882, than that of Dr. Elmer Copley who easily followed in the footsteps of the great Bethany College conductors of the past. Now recorded for perpetuity is a sampling of that day with Dr. Copley conducting the Oratorio Society performance of the Messiah.
This record was recorded by Delta Records and the presentation was produced in cooperation with WIBI Radio of Carlinville, Illinois.
To pull it off, there could be no better conductor carrying on this great tradition, that began in 1882, than that of Dr. Elmer Copley who easily followed in the footsteps of the great Bethany College conductors of the past. Now recorded for perpetuity is a sampling of that day with Dr. Copley conducting the Oratorio Society performance of the Messiah.
This record was recorded by Delta Records and the presentation was produced in cooperation with WIBI Radio of Carlinville, Illinois.
This YouTube production was made possible by Lindsborg's Smoky Valley Historical Association
President Chris Abercrombie.
President Chris Abercrombie.
To read this information: Press CTRL + to enlarge the font size. (Press CTRL - to decrease size.) OR, read some of the verbatim text below.
HANDEL'S "MESSIAH"
Over 200 years after its completion, the oratorio has a universal appeal - in itself a tribute to genius. It was produced in just 23 days during a period of anguish in George Frederick Handel‘s life. The work was performed first for charity in Dublin in 1742. During Handel‘s lifetime, 34 performances were given.
The literal text of the complete work represents the development of the Christian plan of salvation; it is divided into three parts – with the third part telling of the triumphal song of the redeemed.
The selections on this record are the choruses performed for the King of Sweden on April 17, 1976. The 95 year-old Bethany College Oratorio Society (with a 424-voice chorus and a 75-piece orchestra) performed the complete work, with soloists, every Palm Sunday and every Easter Sunday. The Messiah Festival at Lindsborg, Kansas, which dates back to a first rehearsal in December 1881, is one of the nation’s unique grass-roots cultural events. It has been described as the “Oberammergau of the Plains.”
It features annual multiple performances of Handel’s great oratorio pieces, the Messiah (the three complete sections are performed), Bach’s moving “Passion According to Saint Matthew.” and various concerts, recitals, and art exhibitions. Elmer Copley is the 17th conductor in the 95 years of the Oratorio Society.
THE KING'S VISIT
His majesty Carl XVI Gustaf, king of Sweden, ascended the throne on September 19, 1973 – succeeding his grandfather, 90-year-old King Gustaf VI Adolf. The new king chose as his motto: “For Sweden In Keeping With The Times.” Born April 30, 1946, at Haga Palace, he was educated at a coed boarding school at Sigtuna, near Stockholm. Following military service, he studied at the University of Uppsala – followed by special applied studies of government, social, and other facets of Sweden.
His majesty lives in a newly-furnished apartment in the Stockholm Palace and at his summer residence in Solliden on öland. On June 19, 1976, he was married to Sylvia Sommerlauth, a native of Germany. The King was on a U. S. Bicentennial – year tour of this country, April 2 through 28, 1976.
Lindsborg and its people, all of its institutions, and its many visitors are honored by the April 17 visit of His Majesty the King of Sweden. Lindsborg, as a community, has sought to retain and to improve its bi-cultural heritage, and is often called Little Sweden U.S.A.
Over 200 years after its completion, the oratorio has a universal appeal - in itself a tribute to genius. It was produced in just 23 days during a period of anguish in George Frederick Handel‘s life. The work was performed first for charity in Dublin in 1742. During Handel‘s lifetime, 34 performances were given.
The literal text of the complete work represents the development of the Christian plan of salvation; it is divided into three parts – with the third part telling of the triumphal song of the redeemed.
The selections on this record are the choruses performed for the King of Sweden on April 17, 1976. The 95 year-old Bethany College Oratorio Society (with a 424-voice chorus and a 75-piece orchestra) performed the complete work, with soloists, every Palm Sunday and every Easter Sunday. The Messiah Festival at Lindsborg, Kansas, which dates back to a first rehearsal in December 1881, is one of the nation’s unique grass-roots cultural events. It has been described as the “Oberammergau of the Plains.”
It features annual multiple performances of Handel’s great oratorio pieces, the Messiah (the three complete sections are performed), Bach’s moving “Passion According to Saint Matthew.” and various concerts, recitals, and art exhibitions. Elmer Copley is the 17th conductor in the 95 years of the Oratorio Society.
THE KING'S VISIT
His majesty Carl XVI Gustaf, king of Sweden, ascended the throne on September 19, 1973 – succeeding his grandfather, 90-year-old King Gustaf VI Adolf. The new king chose as his motto: “For Sweden In Keeping With The Times.” Born April 30, 1946, at Haga Palace, he was educated at a coed boarding school at Sigtuna, near Stockholm. Following military service, he studied at the University of Uppsala – followed by special applied studies of government, social, and other facets of Sweden.
His majesty lives in a newly-furnished apartment in the Stockholm Palace and at his summer residence in Solliden on öland. On June 19, 1976, he was married to Sylvia Sommerlauth, a native of Germany. The King was on a U. S. Bicentennial – year tour of this country, April 2 through 28, 1976.
Lindsborg and its people, all of its institutions, and its many visitors are honored by the April 17 visit of His Majesty the King of Sweden. Lindsborg, as a community, has sought to retain and to improve its bi-cultural heritage, and is often called Little Sweden U.S.A.
For that day of April 17, 1976, go HERE to "King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden in Lindsborg and at Bethany College, 1976" -- then scroll to 8:55 to see Dr. Copley conducting George Frederick Handel's Messiah's most famous movement, the "Hallelujah Chorus."
Note: This is the second section of three on Dr. Copley. For the 3rd, go Here for Dr. Elmer Copley ~ Remembering him as the “Messiah” conductor for the Bethany’s Centennial, 1981.
Note: This is the second section of three on Dr. Copley. For the 3rd, go Here for Dr. Elmer Copley ~ Remembering him as the “Messiah” conductor for the Bethany’s Centennial, 1981.
SOURCES:
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"Let Us Celebrate Them"
* * *
Swedes: TheWayTheyWere
~ restoring lost local histories ~
reconnecting past to present
* * *
All color photography throughout Swedes: The Way They Were is by Fran Cochran unless otherwise indicated.
Copyright © since October 8, 2015 to Current Year
as indicated on main menu sections of
www.swedesthewaytheywere.org. All rights reserved.
"Let Us Celebrate Them"
* * *
Swedes: TheWayTheyWere
~ restoring lost local histories ~
reconnecting past to present
* * *
All color photography throughout Swedes: The Way They Were is by Fran Cochran unless otherwise indicated.
Copyright © since October 8, 2015 to Current Year
as indicated on main menu sections of
www.swedesthewaytheywere.org. All rights reserved.
