What is Mark Illuminated?
In a nutshell, it's the Gospel of Mark set to music.
The entire text of Mark's Gospel, spoken, or occasionally sung, alongside new music which has been especially crafted to drive home the message of the words.
The music rides with the emotions of the story, but it’s not just 'mood music'. I'm using different themes, melodies and musical motifs to actually 'illuminate' the words. Key concepts and events in the Gospel of Mark will all have their own 'musical signatures', making them easy to recognise as they are repeated within the beautiful structure of the book. And beyond these details, I hope that the music will be both vivid and immediate, bringing to life Mark’s action-packed drama.
For this project, I'm also doing my own paraphrased translation of the text, aiming at a natural, in-the-moment, storytelling style that is also as accurate as possible. I hope to reproduce, in English, the present tense and the rapid pacing which gives Mark so much force in Greek.
For now, I am composing a work that I can perform myself, at the piano, playing and narrating at the same time. Once Mark Illuminated is complete, I intend to present it in concert and maybe even tour it if there's enough interest. I'm also open to the idea of expanding the work in future – perhaps working with a dedicated voice actor, or orchestrating the music for more instruments.
The entire text of Mark's Gospel, spoken, or occasionally sung, alongside new music which has been especially crafted to drive home the message of the words.
The music rides with the emotions of the story, but it’s not just 'mood music'. I'm using different themes, melodies and musical motifs to actually 'illuminate' the words. Key concepts and events in the Gospel of Mark will all have their own 'musical signatures', making them easy to recognise as they are repeated within the beautiful structure of the book. And beyond these details, I hope that the music will be both vivid and immediate, bringing to life Mark’s action-packed drama.
For this project, I'm also doing my own paraphrased translation of the text, aiming at a natural, in-the-moment, storytelling style that is also as accurate as possible. I hope to reproduce, in English, the present tense and the rapid pacing which gives Mark so much force in Greek.
For now, I am composing a work that I can perform myself, at the piano, playing and narrating at the same time. Once Mark Illuminated is complete, I intend to present it in concert and maybe even tour it if there's enough interest. I'm also open to the idea of expanding the work in future – perhaps working with a dedicated voice actor, or orchestrating the music for more instruments.
What will it sound like?
Well, here's an example. This is a demo version of Mark's Prologue, narrated/sung and played by me:
Of course, as much of the work remains to be written, it's impossible to say how it will change as it grows! Composing is like that - as the music comes, it will insist on a life of its own. It's likely that long sections of text may be barely accompanied at all, making for more restful listening. Maybe there will be instrumental interludes at moments which require greater in-the-moment reflection. The whole thing will likely be two hours plus in length, a memorable immersive experience for both performer and listening participant.
Mark Illuminated is a project of the composer David John Lang © 2024