Interview: "The Birth of Christ" Composer Andrew Miller

When people think of classic Christmas musicals, Handel's "Messiah" is always the first on the list. Well, this week I had the privilege of talking with composer Andrew T. Miller about a work of his entitled "The Birth of Christ", a musical that many are already heralding as the next "Messiah". PBS is actually airing the DVD during the holidays (more on this later) - click here to find out when your local station will show it.

One of my first questions for him had to do with the fact that it is a cantata and is sung in a somewhat operatic style. "The inspiration for ["The Birth of Christ"] came 10-12 years ago when I decided to write something that would underscore the real meaning of Christmas," Andrew said. "I wrote it for real people... I wanted it to be accessible to everyday people, not just music connoisseurs, but still wanted it to have some weight to it. After seeing it, people have told me, 'It moved me to tears - and I don't even like music like this!'"

Narrated by Liam Neeson, "The Birth of Christ" was recorded live in Dublin, Ireland in 2006. This historic event united the same choirs Handel used to unveil the “Messiah” in 1742.  Brought together in unity and peace for this performance, Protestants and Catholics put aside the sectarian differences that have divided them for generations and joined their voices to celebrate their similarities - i.e. the importance of the birth of Christ.

Technorati Tags: birth of Christ, Christmas, Dublin, Handel, music, Ireland

Andrew told me about a private conversation he had with the Lord Mayor of Dublin. After one of the initial meetings with various local, national, international, and religious dignitaries to plan the production, the Lord Mayor pulled him aside and said, "You know, only an American could come over here and pull this off." The interpretation is simple (don't go getting your undies in a knot, fellow Canadians!): because the conflict is so deeply imbedded in the hearts and minds of the Irish, it took an outsider to come in and help them find common ground.

And Andrew did it in style. The production turned out beautifully. They took 85 people over to Dublin for the performance (various choral members, soloists, and support staff) and ended up with a final product that is causing waves across the country. CD and DVD sales are doing great; PBS stations around the country are picking it up. In fact, PBS Director of Development for KBTC Paul Jackson said, “We knew this was a wonderful program but were surprised that it struck such a chord with our viewers. The local premiere of The Birth of Christ was an overwhelming success!” Some of the early emails to PBS show an uprising of support from viewers that crave programming that reflects the true meaning of Christmas. [To find out when your local PBS affiliate will be airing the program, click here.]

With his Carnegie Hall debut in NYC slated for December 23rd (where he will be conducting the performance of a number of selections from the production), "The Birth of Christ" tour scheduled for Christmas 2008, and preparing his new production "The Prodigal" for a 2009 Broadway release, Andrew definitely has his hands full. But if his next project is anything like this one, it will be well worth the wait.

Comments

[Carla]

Jeremy, I couldn't find it easily on the PBS website, but here's a good schedule of air dates/times:

http://www.thebirthofchrist.org/tv_schedule.htm