Dr. Henry Panion, III
conducts Singers, Gospel Choir and Alabama Symphony at concert in Birmingham on Saturday, February 16, 2013
February 19, 2013
Gnosis Media Group
Gnosis Media Group
Birmingham, AL - Attendees at A Gospel Symphony Celebration in
Birmingham, Alabama on Saturday, February 16, 2013 at the BJCC Concert
Hall experienced the rarest of treats when legendary Gospel recording
artists the Clark Sisters and Smokie Norful teamed up with Conductor Dr.
Henry Panion, III, the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, and a 125-voice
Gospel choir. Panion, most known for his work as conductor and arranger
for Superstar Stevie Wonder, has also arranged, orchestrated, and
conducted for a venerable list of Gospel elite, including Kirk Franklin,
Blind Boys of Alabama, Tramaine Hawkins, Kurt Carr, and the Winans.
After a stirring opening with Panion’s orchestral rendition of “Ride On
King Jesus,” the Clark Sisters – individually Elbernita “Twinkie”
Clark-Terrell, Jacky Clark-Chisolm, Karen Clark-Sheard, and Dorinda
Clark-Cole – joined the stage in a perfect blend with the orchestra on
“Livin,” immediately bringing the audience to its feet.
Powerful performances of Clark Sister classics followed, including
“Praying Spirit,” which featured the orchestra’s string section in a
neo-classical style imitating each sister’s vocal lines…truly something
to behold. And if there was any doubt as to why this Grammy Award
winning group is the highest selling female gospel group of all time,
that doubt was quickly settled with the impeccable, vocal prowess
presented by the Clark Sisters that night. This was matched only by the
skillful performance of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra and the
sure-handed baton of Dr. Panion.
Smokie Norful came to the stage midway during the first half of the
concert, singing his festive “Celebrate” to an audience that was more
than eager to celebrate with him.
...
As the creative force behind Gospel Goes Classical, the Billboard Gospel
and Classical Crossover history-making recording, Dr. Panion’s merging
of classical and Gospel music is a seemingly match made in Heaven.
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