World-renowned composer, conductor, musicologist and visionary, Fr. Ivan Moody, passed into eternity at age 59 on January 18, 2024. His untimely death sent a wave of deep sadness and loss throughout the Orthodox music world and beyond. To honor his memory, the Society commissioned a new work—Unveil My Eyes—from American composer, Kurt Sander, which will receive its world premiere at this concert. The program will also include choral works by Fr. Ivan. The concert will be hosted by the St. Andrew Greek Orthodox Church in Chicago, Fr. Kosmas Kallis, Proistamenos.
Kurt Sander describes his vision and content of the new work: “The title of this work comes from a verse in Psalm 118(119). The state of our earthly life conceals a clear image of the Divine, much like a veil that covers the eyes. The Christian faith teaches that the passing from this life to the Heavenly realm is a transformation where the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality. It is only in this blessed state that we acquire the full and unobscured vision of the Uncreated Light of God. It is then that, in the words of the Evangelist John, we shall see Him as He is.”