'In Christ Alone' Symphonic Tour comes to Liverpool!
04 July 2008
A major concert will take place at Liverpool Cathedral at 7.30pm on Tuesday 21st October 08 featuring prolific hymnwriters Stuart Townend, Keith and Kristyn Getty accompanied by All Souls Orchestra, with special guest, international speaker and author Alistair Begg. 'In Christ Alone' will be an inspirational evening with plenty of audience participation, with sheet music for many new hymns and songs provided in the accompanying programme. This international line-up of the best in Christian music will visit Belfast, Glasgow, Cardiff, London and Liverpool.
Stuart Townend is known and respected by worship leaders, musicians and churches around the world as a songwriter, worship leader and recording artist. He has to date released four solo albums – Monument to Mercy (June 2006), Lord of Every Heart (June 2002), Personal Worship with Stuart Townend (1999) and Say the Word (1997). He first came to prominence through leading worship at the Stoneleigh International Bible Week, a major Christian event that annually drew over 25,000 visitors from around the world, and which sparked a series of ground-breaking, highly-acclaimed live worship albums that Stuart himself produced. Ruach (1994) and Beautiful Saviour (1998) both won the coveted Christian Booksellers Convention Album of the Year. It is as a songwriter that Stuart has made the biggest global impact. From the early success of 'Lord How Majestic You Are', 'How deep the Father’s love' and 'The Lord’s my Shepherd', to the more recent 'Beautiful Saviour', and the co-writes with Keith Getty 'See what a morning' and the stunning 'In Christ alone' (which this year was voted among the top ten of all-time favourite hymns in the annual Songs of Praise telephone poll), Stuart has been hailed by many as one of the leading hymn writers of his generation.
The simple folk melody and storytelling lyrical style of 'In Christ Alone' has given rise to its universal appeal, Keith & Kristyn Getty believe. “My main conviction with melody is the same as that of Stravinsky, Bernstein, Gershwin, Burt Bacharach and The Beatles, which is looking at folk music melody in its simplest form,” Keith says. “The simplicity of the melody helps make it more accessible, and I believe melody is so fundamental to human culture and psyche.” Of equal importance to the formula of the modern hymn is the story. “I love storytelling in songs and I think people love stories,” Keith shares. “People will sing theology forever if the song takes them on a journey, and with ‘In Christ Alone,’ I wanted to write a song that would tell the whole story of the life of Christ, almost like a modern creed.”
The couple is in the midst of a two-year stay in the USA to introduce their songs in churches around the country, in hopes of leaving behind a repertoire of 21st century hymns that will be embraced for years to come. Whether on a recording or leading worship with a congregation, Kristyn’s lilting, crystal-clear soprano is an ideal contrast to Keith’s richly melodic piano arrangements and accompaniment.
Alistair Begg has been in pastoral ministry for over 30 years; eight in Scotland following graduation from The London School of Theology, and 24 years at Parkside Church in suburban Cleveland. He has written several books and is heard daily across America on the radio program, Truth for Life. Demand for tickets will be high so book yours now on-line, by calling 0151 702 7255 or at the Cathedral Shop. £15, £10, £8, £5.
