Temple Square Performances proudly presents Come and Behold Him, a new, free Christmas album and concert featuring 11 fresh arrangements of holiday classics by composer Jonathan Keith. Keith has written for film, television, and video games, and has now prepared similarly cinematic treatments of both new and beloved Christmas songs. These tracks will feature a full orchestra, adult and children’s choirs, note-worthy vocalists, and great instrumentalists from around the world, including the Giddens family, Malialole Entertainment, and soloists Kevin Odekirk, Madilyn Paige, Tanner James, and Sonja Poulter, with musical support from the Salt Lake Choral Artists and a professional orchestra both led by Dr. Brady Allred. The album with these spectacular and varied arrangements will be available beginning on Friday, November 29, on Church music sites, Spotify, Pandora, Apple Music and other popular outlets. Stream the live concert featuring all the performers from the album starting at 7:00 p.m. MST on that day or see it on demand throughout the season.
The album’s arrangements bring a unique and memorable flair to timeless Christmas favorites, creating a powerful and uplifting listening experience. Jonathan Keith had profound thoughts about his invitation from Temple Square Performances to create what will become part of everyone’s Christmas soundtrack. “I strive to not limit myself,” he said, “in where these stories take me. Each one tells me what it wants and where it wants to go, either through the text, the melody or just the general emotion of it. I try to capture it in whatever way I can and then just develop and let the idea be realized. By embracing this process, my arrangements tend to be cinematic, explorative, and grand in nature, hopefully offering listeners a unique and immersive experience.” When asked about his hopes for this project, he responded that he wanted to “incorporate musical elements from various cultures, hoping that listeners from different backgrounds feel represented and connected.” He continued, “What intrigued me the most about this project was the opportunity to share the important message of Christmas—the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. It’s a universal story of hope and joy that brings unity to people worldwide.”