The Desiderata

[Terry]

This recording seems to be from the 1980s, judging by the deep resonance of Welles' voice and the reverb in the recording. It's from a Christmas LP released by the Salvation Army, and that's all I know.

Anyone know what the piece of music is? It's similar to the music for The Trial, though in a major key.

http://www.box.net/shared/p8xc0l4qaq

[ToddBaesen]

Store, keep this stuff coming... it's quite amazing to hear...

The DESIDERATA came from a Salvation Army Annual Christmas LP, that featured narration by Orson Welles, with music by the Roger Wagner Chorale and Sinfonia Orchestra.

Welles begins his recitation with this note:

"This list of things desired as essential, was found in old St. Paul's Church, Baltimore and was dated 1692. In the struggle for peace in our lives, the advice has relevance for us, even today. We know it as The Desiderata."

The Salvation Army Lp (0KM 4395) was issued in 1979 and was labeled Not For Sale or Broadcast, so apparently was for internal Salvation Army use only. Besides The Desiderata, Welles narrated various Bible verses including The Christmas Story from Luke and several Psalms, including #'s 8, 23, 24, & 100.

[Glenn Anders]

Todd: I would only add that the piece was really written in 1927, by a Terre Haute lawyer named Max Erhmann. He died in 1945, but the authorship of his poem became confused because of its introduction, and the fact that for a time it was handed out at the old church after Sunday services.

The music on the recording is a classical requiem, the composer of which I should know, but escapes my failing brain right now.

Welles also narrated a complete Life of Jesus, currently available as a box set on the Internet.

Welles appears to have been a very religious man, who did not wear his faith on his jacket, as public figures are wont to do these days, but demonstrated it often in his life and work.

Glenn

[Terry]

I'd love to hear Welles narrate the Gospels, but I'm very suspicious of that Life of Jesus recording. I bought the Jesus of Nazareth cassette set from Americana Audio years ago. It said "performed by Orson Welles" on it, but Welles was nowhere in the recording. Paul Frees was in the cast, and I suspect someone mistook him for Welles.

I think Life of Jesus is the same recording under a new name, meaning still no Welles, no matter what the publisher says. (Where's Beatrice when you need her?) I'm unwilling to pay to find out.

[Glenn Anders]

You seem to be dead on, Hadji.

I checked around some more, and found some preview clips. One of them had narration, and the person speaking the words is definitely not Welles, unless he did a superb job of modulating his tone. Paul Frees, another of the great radio actors, might well be the narrator, as you suggest. He was known for a talent of mimicry.

It's amazing that this 4 1/2 hour CD Set is being sold all over the Internet.

Glenn

[Terry]

I think Frees was one of the cast , not the narrator. Perhaps he was The Voice of God, which would be a good role for Welles, or one I would like to hear anyway. Better than the Voice of Cornstarch even.

[Bantock]

That music is by Bach, I think. "Air in G", or something like that. Orson Welles does a nice job of reciting in rhythm to the music.

[Terry]

Yes indeed. The piece is "Air on a G-String," adapted from Bach's circa 1720 piece Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D Major. The adaption is from the late 1800s and by violinist August Wilhelmj. Wilhelmj transposed the piece to C Major, which allowed him to play the melody entirely on the G string.

[RayKelly]

I lost my mp3 file of "The Desiderata," so I ordered a CD of the Salvation Army on eBay.
The version which arrived does NOT have it.
Does anyone know when "The Desiderata" was recorded and where else it might be found?
Thanks

[Wellesnet]

Now on Youtube: