Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!

JFH Music Review


Fernando Ortega, The Crucifixion of Jesus
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE

Fernando Ortega
The Crucifixion of Jesus



Artist Info: Discography
Genre(s): Worship
Album length: 17 tracks: 48 minutes, 22 seconds
Street Date: August 4, 2017


READER RATING:   


Given the criticisms of pigeonholed genres in music, of pandering to formulaic radio-defined success, it's a great testimony that an artist like Fernando Ortega has maintained his voice for so long. Some have said, correctly, that Christian music is a genre defined less by its melodic distinctions and more by the content of its lyrics. Nonetheless, there are occasions when an album could not exist in any other genre, when it is so connected to the spiritual underpinnings of Christian music that it stands as a unique gift to pilgrims who seek after Christ.

Such is Ortega's The Crucifixion of Jesus. It is a musical journey through the Passion week, from Old Testament prophecies of Messiah to Christ crucified. It's tempting to call it a "tool for your Easter devotions," but that sounds so prosaic and trite. Surpassing simple description, Ortega has crafted a collection of songs and readings that ponder the cross and the Christ with profound reverence. The album is a worship experience, as suitable for a corporate Holy Week gathering as it is for personal reflection.

Like the Passion, the emotions here are so varied. The music of "Prepare the Way, O Zion" is bright celebration. Naturally, though, much of the album is rooted in the cello's largest string, and is somber and contemplative. There are moments not too far removed from Gregorian chant, and others where Michael Card's "Death of a Son" would fit well.

To complete the devotional experience, this is a case in which it is worthwhile to purchase the physical CD. The booklet is a mini-museum of the world's artists depicting the events of Holy Week, and the images merit pondering alongside the songs and readings.

That album's production is excellent. Ortega's voice befits this music, and harmonies from Audrey Assad and Jonathan and Amanda Noël add subtle texture. Tempos are varied enough, just barely, to avoid sleepiness. There are songs that have appeared on previous Ortega albums ("Stricken, Smitten, and Afflicted" was first recorded back in 1996), but everything here has an important place and purpose.

I've often wondered why, given its significance, there aren't just as many Easter albums as there are Christmas albums. But then, recognizing the emotional commitment required to listen to an album like The Crucifixion of Jesus, perhaps the reason becomes clear. A proper Christmas album can be exclusively celebratory, but an Easter album must consider the Friday that preceded that great Sunday. Consider "Stay With Me Here," a song that gives voice to Jesus's suffering and loneliness in the Garden of Gethsemane set against piano, cello, and oboe. It is a mourning so difficult to listen to, and yet so necessary.

Apart from a compilation and a live album, we haven't heard a new release from Fernando Ortega since 2011. This is an album - more than an album, really, more of a soul-stirring experience - that is well worth the wait.

- Review date: 8/4/17, written by Mark D. Geil of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Purchase Original Art Prints, Drawings, Buttons, Stickers, Bookmarks and more from JFH's own John DiBiase! Save for the holidays with code JFH20 at checkout!

 

JFH Album Sampler
. Record Label: None
. Album length: 17 tracks: 48 minutes, 22 seconds
. Street Date: August 4, 2017
. Buy It: iTunes
. Buy It: Amazon Music (MP3)

  1. Blessed Be Our God (3:41)
  2. Reading: Say to the Daughter of Zion (0:13)
  3. Prepare the Way, O Zion (4:37)
  4. Reading: Money Changers (0:35)
  5. House of Prayer (1:46)
  6. Reading: Last Supper (1:33)
  7. In My Father's Kingdom (4:19)
  8. Reading: Peter's Denial (1:04)
  9. Stay With Me Here (4:21)
  10. Your Will Be Done (1:36)
  11. O Great Love, O Love Beyond All Measure (2:11)
  12. Reading: Excerpt from Holy Living (3:20)
  13. Ah, Holy Jesus, How Have You Offended? (4:55)
  14. My Song Is Love Unknown (5:37)
  15. Reading: Crucifixion (1:44)
  16. Psalm 22 (1:15)
  17. Stricken, Smitten and Afflicted (5:35)

 



Leave a Comment

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 


(JFH Sponsor Spot)

 

 

                 
Purchase Original Art Prints, Drawings, Buttons, Stickers, Bookmarks and more from JFH's own John DiBiase! Save for the holidays with code JFH20 at checkout!

Search JFH




This Tuesday, October 29, 2024
SINGLES
Pipe Bomb Hate Club - Single [The Charon Collective]

This Thursday, October 31, 2024
ALBUMS
Neon Horse Habit of Creature - EP [Velvet Blue Music]

This Friday, November 1, 2024
ALBUMS
AWZY Sinners and Saints - EP [DREAM]
Forrest Frank Child of God (Deluxe) [river house]
Future of Forestry Symphonic Christmas (Live) (independent)
Influence Music It's All About You (independent)
The Kingdom Heirs No Better Time [Sonlite]
Limoblaze Young & Chosen (Power Pack) - EP [Reach]
Paul & Hannah McClure Christmas Morning (Re-Release) [Bethel]
Planetshakers Winning Team: Songs For Church (Live) [Venture3Media]
Skillet Revolution [Atlantic]
Sam's the Hero Charlie Cox - EP [Small Step]
Jim "Soni" Sonefeld Light of Joy - EP [Vere]
Ivan Theva Waiting Here for You - EP [Descendent/Provident]
John Van Deusen Anthem Sprinter [Tooth & Nail]
Phil Wickham Hallelujah! It's Christmas! [Fair Trade]
YWAM Kona Music Missionary Anthem - EP [Integrity]

SINGLES
Ayo Shamir, YP aka Young Paul Aaron Judge - Single (independent)
Gabby Barrett O Come, O Come Emmanuel (feat. The Piano Guys) - Single [Warner Music Nashville]
Brennley Brown Mary, Did You Know? - Single [Provident]
Lauren Daigle Then I Will - Single [Centricity]
Dreamers The Reason - Multi-Single [DREAM]
EJ Swavv I Hate Lucy - Single [Syntax]
Jess Ford This is My Jesus - Single (independent)
FYR FYTR So Simple - Single (independent)
Michael Monroe Pour It Out - Single [Provident]
Seph Schlueter We Sing (Joy To The World) [feat. Leanna Crawford] - Single [Provident]
Skye Peterson, Ben Shive Keep the Feast - Single [Getty]
SNT. VINCENT Confession - Single [Syntax]
Cyndi Thompson Silent Night - Single [County Line]
Thrive Worship Hark - Single [Integrity]
Tauren Wells Making Room - Single [Capitol CMG]

VINYL
Skillet Revolution Vinyl [Atlantic]

Next Friday, November 8, 2024
ALBUMS
Gabby Barrett Carols and Candlelight [Warner Music Nashville]
CXMMXNS CXMMXNS Chapter 1 - EP [Essential Worship]
New Hope Oahu There Is One - EP [DREAM]
Neal Morse & The Resonance No Hill For A Climber [InsideOut]
TAKE Time Bomb [Resuscitation Records]
Lauren Talley A Lauren Talley Christmas [Horizon]

SINGLES
Cory Asbury I Hope You Dance - Single [BEC]
Jordan Kauflin, Laura Story Approach, My Soul - Single [Getty]
Sam Bowman & GLADDEN Misfit Toys - Single [DREAM]
Wavorly Enemies - Single (independent)

VINYL
Michael W. Smith Every Christmas Vinyl [Rocketown]
Stryper To Hell with the Amps Vinyl [Frontiers]
TAKE Time Bomb Vinyl [Resuscitation Records]

DVD
Stryper To Hell with the Amps Blu-Ray [Frontiers]



For all release dates, click here!
 



Check out the new album from Taylor Holland Armstrong!



Listen to the new Single from Second Adam and the New Creations!

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images