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There is no question in my mind that Camarata and I were brought together in 1966, when I went to work for him as a recording engineer for Walt Disney Records. After hearing his impressive and sensitive classical scores, I knew then that I wanted him to orchestrate LDS hymns for full orchestra. I had no idea that it would be 30 years later before this dream would be realized. Camarata, is a warm, sensitive and religious man. He once stated: "Many things I have done are a result of God using me as a channel." I feel strongly, that he and I were brought together for the purpose of doing this very special and beautiful music.
Shortly after Camarata and I started working together on The Power and the Glory, I wanted us to share the same sense of mission for this album.
As I prayed for us to be unified in this great cause, I continued to ask the Lord for a way that we could share a common vision.
During this time, I was driving 85 miles to the airport on a trip to meet with Camarata. It was a dreary day of clouds and rain. As I drove, all the sudden wonderful thoughts and words came into my mind describing the mission of this musical work. All I could find to write on were a few napkins laying in the seat. So, I took a pen out of my pocket, picked up some napkins and scribbled the thoughts on them as best I could, while driving down the road in this rain storm. The thoughts continued, and I continued to write.
The next day, I took the notes from the napkins and assembled them into meaningful text. I wrote them up on a computer so they looked nice, and printed out a copy to take to my meeting with Camarata.
I met with Camarata, and told him the story of how these impressions came. Then I gave him the printed copy. He was touched as he read it, and then stated; "Yes, this is wonderful, this should be printed in the album." From that time forward, we shared a common vision and mission which the Lord provided in such a clear and beautiful manner.
