Charles Wesley was an English leader of the Methodist movement, most widely known for writing more than 6,000 hymns. Wesley was born in Epworth, Lincolnshire, the son of Anglican cleric and poet Samuel Wesley and his wife Susanna.
In the course of his career, Charles Wesley published the words of over six thousand hymns, many of which are still popular. These include:
“Arise my soul arise”
“And Can It Be That I Should Gain?”
“Christ the Lord Is Risen Today”
“Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies”
“Come, O Thou Traveler Unknown”
“Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus”
“Depth of Mercy, Can it Be”
“Father, I Stretch My Hands to Thee”
“Hail the Day that Sees Him Rise”
“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”
“Jesus, Lover of My Soul”
“Jesus, The Name High Over All”
“Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending”
“Love Divine, All Loves Excelling”
“O for a Heart to Praise My God”
“O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing”
“Rejoice, the Lord is King”
“Soldiers of Christ, Arise”
“Thou Hidden Source of Calm Repose”
“Ye Servants of God”
Some 150 of his hymns are in the Methodist hymn book Hymns and Psalms, including “Hark! the Herald Angels Sing, and “The Church Hymn Book” (In New York and Chicago, US, 1872) where “Jesus, Lover of My Soul” is published. Many of his hymns are translated into other languages and form the foundation for Methodist hymnals, as well as the Swedish Metodist-Episkopal-Kyrkans Psalmbok printed in Stockholm in 1892.
Born: December 18, 1707, Epworth, Lincolnshire, United Kingdom
The Washington Soloist Ensemble (WSE) members consist of professional singers, conductors, pianists as well as amateur singers who pass the audition process.
The group has performed at the Kennedy Center, George Mason , University of Maryland and other local community centers and institutions. Established in 1993, the WSE has been an integral part of the Korean diaspora that has represented Korean culture in the United States through music.
The group has performed in numerous key events over the years including the Centennial of Korean Immigration to the United States. By harmonizing the choral artistry of Korea and the United States, the group’s music resonates with the heart and leaves a lasting impression. Over the years we have performed over 75 concerts in total.
This concert will feature an orchestra as well as the singers. It will celebrate 80 years of Korean independence from Japanese colonial rule, a process culminating on August 15, 1945, with the end of World War II.