He is Jesus Christ

Album Review

An impressive debut from a composer with a lot of promise. Written as a one-hour Christmas cantata at the request of a Latter-day Saint mission president in France, He Is Jesus Christ is an amazing glimpse into one young man's remarkable understanding of the gospel, not to mention his musical gifts. Rob Gardner is a man to keep tabs on. The album is professionally produced, includes a stellar-sounding, but cast without credit, and the music is just plain moving. Gardner was tapped by his mission president to compose a Christmas program while he was serving as a missionary. He relates in his liner notes that he'd intended to set aside his composing efforts in order to concentrate completely on his mission. But the president wanted his original work, so he agreed on the condition that he wouldn't do the composing at the expense of his missionary work. It was first performed by missionaries with a simple organ accompaniment at an LDS chapel in Southern France. When he returned to the U.S. Gardner translated it into English and had it professionally done as he'd intended: a full-blown choral cantata, with solos, narration, and orchestra accompaniment. The result is breathtaking. Add this to the list of albums to have for Christmas, as well as for a moving Sabbath day listen. Contact Gardner directly for a copy at http://www.reveproductions.com. ~ Dacia A. Blodgett-Williams, Rovi