This weekend Easter and Passover celebrations will be taking place around the world. Whether joined together as a community or privately in homes music is a powerful force for uniting and lifting our thoughts above. Here is our list of some of our favorite Faith based crossover songs.
1. Sarah Brightman – Hymn
The Queen of Crossover released “Hymn” by John Leese on her album of the same title in 2018. The video combines her delicate soprano with a distinct contemporary worship feel and beautiful nature and church scenery.
2. Laura Bretan – Via Dolorosa
This week former America’s Got Talent contestant Laura Bretan released a brand new cover of “Via Dolorosa” (or Way of Suffering). It was written by Bily Sprague and Niles A Borop and made popular by the Gospel singer Sandi Patty. Laura’s version is simple but filled with a sincere passion.
3. Daniel Emmet – The Lord’s Prayer
Albert Hay Malotte’s famed “The Lord’s Prayer” was recently released by Daniel Emmet. The meditation has been sung many times both operatically and by crooners such as Frank Sinatra and Andy Williams. Daniel’s new single, is a nod to both with his trademark easy singing, clear enunciation and powerful climax.
4. Katherine Jenkins – Peace in the Valley
Katherine Jenkins’s rendition of Thomas A. Dorsey’s “They’ll Be Peace in the Valley for Me” shows the mezzo-soprano at her best. Although often using the more operatic portion of her voice here we are treated to a relaxed popular tone which fits perfectly with the choral accompaniment.
5. Céline Dion, Andrea Bocelli – The Prayer
Arguably one of the most famous crossover hits, “The Prayer” is composed by David Foster, Carole Bayer Sager, Alberto Testa and Tony Renis. The piece was originally part of the animated film “Quest for Camelot” but its impossible to forget the earnest, soaring tenor equally matched by one of the most expressive and powerful pop diva’s of our time.
6. Nathan Pacheco – Come As You Are
Nathan Pacheco, Leo Z and Nicole Pinnell perform “Come As You Are” by Ben Glover, David Crowder and Matt Maher. The lyrics will touch audiences with it’s message of hope and acceptance and shows Nathan’s range to adapt his classical training to suit the contemporary ballad.
7. Celtic Woman – Amazing Grace
John Newton’s “Amazing Grace” is given a Celtic nod from David Downes in this arrangement for Celtic Woman. “Amazing Grace” is performed in harmony by Lisa Kelly, Lynn Hilary, Alex Sharpe, Chloe Agnew and Máiréad Nesbitt on the stage at the Powerscourt House and Gardens.
8. Susan Holloway – O Sacred Head, Now Wounded
“O Sacred Head, Now Wounded” composed by Hans Leo Hassler and Johanna Sebastian Bach is performed elegantly by Susan Holloway on violin. She is accompaniment by soft guitar and surrounded by gentle waves.
9. Julie Mae Hales – Wonderous Love
Julie Mae Hales sings “What Wonderous Love is This” on her 2020 album “Light a Candle.” Based on an American folk song, the simple tune is arranged to capture the adoration and joy of it’s lyrics and sung beautifully in Julie’s dramatic soprano.
10. Amira Willighagen – Nearer, My God to Thee
The touching “Nearer, My God to Thee” written by Sarah Flower Adams is performed by former Holland’s Got Talent Winner, Amira Willighagen. Her soprano is lovely and refreshingly natural, without any affectations to tone or interpretation. For a young performer, Amira already has a strong sense of who she is and her faith makes her well suited to cover this kind of material.
11. Ellen Williams – Calon Lân (A Pure Heart)
Ellen William’s cover of “Calon Lân” on her latest album “Inspire” is one of simplicity and elegance. The piece is a traditional Welsh hymn written by Daniel James and John Hughes. Ellen’s voice is effortlessly beautiful befitting the lyrics of a humble seeker.
12. Anna Hawkins – Wayfaring Stranger / Yea Though I Walk
The haunting American folk song has been sung by Jo Stafford and Emmylou Harris and is given new life with Anne Hawkins’ rendition on her 2021 album “Dreamer.” Anna uses her considerable songwriting talent to create a new original portion, “Yea Though I Walk” which effortlessly blends.
13. Chris Pinnella – Hallelujah
Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” has been embraced by many inspirational artists for it’s haunting and beautiful melody. Cohen is said to have written at least 80 different verses, and the ones most widely sung today are complicated to say the least. It’s rare to find an artist who performs this with the brokenness required but in this Chris Pinnella excels. There is no doubting his vocal talent and paired a raw interpretation ranging from anger, to pain and doubt, it is one of most moving covers of this piece.
14. Charlotte Church – The Holy City
Originally written by Stephen Adams and Frederic Weatherly, “The Holy City” is a beloved sacred piece that has been covered by some of the finest voices including Jeannette MacDonald – a soprano from the Golden Age. This particular version is special not only for the pure voice of a young Charlotte Church, but also the spectacular venue The Tower of David in Jerusalem.
15. Jonathan Antoine – How Great Thou Art
This list could truly be endless as crossover performers with their classical training are well suited to cover swelling inspirational material. However, we will end with a fan favorite in former Britain’s Got Talent contest, Jonathan Antoine. This performance of “How Great Thou Art” by Carl Boberg is about as restrained (ha) as you can expect from this powerhouse. His inflection and phrasings are reminiscent of Elvis on the verses but when the song reaches it’s final chorus Jonathan’s operatic side is unleashed.
If you’d like even more Inspiration music, do check out the Classical Crossover Magazine virtual concerts with the ‘Songs of Inspiration’ theme below.
