Cantus
Enjoying a successful blend of national tours, subscription concerts in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul and recording projects, Cantus is gaining recognition as one of America’s finest professional male vocal ensembles. The ensemble’s performances are met with overwhelming praise for its unique blend of youthful vitality and polished nuance. Their repertoire spans many periods and genres, including Gregorian chant, Renaissance motets, contemporary sacred works, art songs, world music, spirituals, and pop. Cantus’ singing has been called “spontaneous grace” by the Washington Post and “wonderful” by the L.A. Times.
Cantus was founded in the fall of 1995 when a few college friends gathered on the campus of St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota. Since then, Cantus has performed more than 400 concerts across the nation during the past seven years, including appearances at AmericaFest, the Lied Center of Lawrence, Kansas, UCLA Live, the University of Chicago Presents, Merkin Concert Hall of New York City, Harvard University, the University of Wisconsin Union Theater and many conventions of the American Choral Director’s Association. In September 2000, Cantus established itself as a full-time nonprofit arts organization based in Minnesota. In summer 2002, Cantus sang to great acclaim at the Oregon Bach Festival and at the Sixth World Symposium on Choral Music in Minneapolis. In summer 2003, Cantus made its first European appearance singing at the Polyfolia festival in Normandy, France. For the last three years Cantus has also appeared in concert with the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra in a holiday program titled Cantus and Carols. Cantus is a resident artist at St. John’s University, Collegeville, MN. Having worked with thousands of young people across the country, Cantus is committed to educational endeavors and encouraging singing with their motto “Live. Play. Sing.”
The Washington Post called the singers' sound "beaming and elastic" and referred to their music as "spontaneous grace." Stereophile Magazine said that "the sheer beauty of the unaccompanied male voices [and the] art of [these] professional singers proved overwhelming." And The Cleveland Plain Dealer reported: "The Minnesotans come across as down-to-earth types who present their music with the eagerness of hometown guys singing for the pleasure of friends and neighbors."
The Los Angeles Times said "Cantus is a splendid, relatively new male a cappella choral group that swells the ranks of our current golden age of ensemble singing in a distinctive way." And the Times added: "Other groups aim for a honeyed but disembodied sound. Cantus matches that blend, but it also revels in a heft of sound hardly imagined possible from 10 men singing without accompaniment."
The Houston Chronicle said that a "weekend visit by Minnesota-based Cantus was a forceful reminder that professional male vocal ensembles are thriving," and that Cantus produces "a robust sound inviting for its warmth, vigor and flexibility with an obvious love for the music and their work.
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Lux Aurumque - Whitacre |
"While You Are Alive" is an outstanding collection of music, a worthy contribution to the library of classical male choral repertoire. The album celebrates life through a gorgeous marriage of poetry and music. Included a new commission from Steven Sametz, who sets the poetry of Walt Whitman, a choral favorite from Eric Whitacre, a new nine-part work for Cantus by Edie Hill, a world premiere recording by Timothy C. Takach, a delightful piece by Veljo Tormis featuring SPCO flutist Julia Bograd-Kogan, and "The Turning," the musical result of composer Maura Bosch’s work with Cantus, The American Composer’s Forum and the Tubman Family Alliance.
Listen to "I Am He That Aches" in RealAudio.
| 8946 CD $17.95 |
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Introit: Benedicta sit Sancta Trinitas Quatre Petit Prieres de Saint Francois d'Assise - Francis Poulenc Salvation is Created (spaseniye sodjelal) - Pavel Chesnokov Ave Dulcissima Mria - Morten Lauridsen Last Letter Home - Lee Hoiby Lullabye (Goodnight my Angel) - Billy Joel Mogamigawa funa uta Ramakali Who's Loving You - Smokey Robinson Pseudo Yoik - Jaakko Mantyjarvi Dalvi duoddar luohti - Seppo Paakkunainen Casey at the Bat - Peter Hamlin I Can't Tarry |
Cantus programming at its finest represents a great mix of styles and influences. On their latest release they decided to showcase all this variety on one recording. Included is a new commission from Lee Hoiby paired with a “Lullabye (Goodnight My Angel)” by Billy Joel. They include early 20th century Russian sacred music next to early 21st century American sacred music. They are two show-stoppers - the Smokey Robinson tune “Who’s Loving You” and ”I Can’t Tarry” a rousing African-American spiritual An amusing faux-Finnish piece precedes a semi-theatrical setting of “Casey at the Bat” and the lively programming keeps you listening from beginning to end, just as it does in their acclaimed live concerts.
Listen to "Pseudo Yoik" in RealAudio.
| 8698 CD $15.95 |
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Prelude (Before Dawn) (Edie Hill) Sea Fever (Amy Beach) Break, Break, Break (Brian Arreola) Songs of the Sea (Op. 91) (Charles Villiers Stanford) Jonah's Song (Peter Schickele) Shenandoa (arr. Marshall Bartholomew) Lowlands (arr. Alice Parker and Robert Shaw) Muistse mere laulud (Veljo Tormis) Incantatio maris aestuosi (Veljo Tormis) Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald (Gordon Lightfoot) Valparaiso (Stin) A True Heart is Haiting (Edie Hill) |
Minnesota-based 11-strong all-male ensemble Cantus, since their founding at St. Olaf College in 1995 have had great fun performing around Minnesota, the country and the world, and recording excellent CDs ("There Lies The Home " is their 10th). The authentic folk songs and sea chantys in "Home" are popular choices in the group's repertoire. Some favorites are "Break, Break, Break," "Songs of the Sea," "Jonah's Song," "Shenandoah," "Lowlands," arranged by Alice Parker and Robert Shaw," Gordon Lightfoot's "Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" and Sting's "Valparaiso." Beautiful liner notes, some light accompaniment. Powerful and evocative music! Minnesota-based 11-strong all-male ensemble Cantus, since their founding at St. Olaf College in 1995 have had great fun performing around Minnesota, the country and the world, and recording excellent CDs ("There Lies The Home " is their 10th). The authentic folk songs and sea chantys in "Home" are popular choices in the group's repertoire. Some favorites are "Break, Break, Break," "Songs of the Sea," "Jonah's Song," "Shenandoah," "Lowlands," arranged by Alice Parker and Robert Shaw," Gordon Lightfoot's "Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" and Sting's "Valparaiso." Beautiful liner notes, some light accompaniment. Powerful and evocative music!
Listen to "Jonah's Song" in RealAudio.
| 8394 CD $15.98 |
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Absalon Fili Mi - Josquin Des Pres Private First Class Jesse Given - Hoiby Remember Me- Halsey Stevens Salvation Is Created - Pavel Chesonov Alleluia - Randall Thompson Ave Maria - Biebl Our Father - Gretchaninoff Beautiful Saviour - Christiansen Los Pastores - Ariel Ramirez Mata Del Aninma Sola - Antonio Estevez When She Loved Me - Newman How Can I Be Sure - Cavaliere/Brigati Stick To The Craythur - Irish Drinking Song Who's Loving You - Smokey Robinson |
Cantus presents recordings from some of their recent concerts. Highlights include collaborations with the Saint Olaf Choir ("Beautiful Savior" and "Our Father"), guest conductors Dale Warland and Anton Armstrong and performances by Cantus’ tenth anniversary reunion choir (Alleluia," "Ave Maria," and "Salvation is Created"). Also included on this eclectic disc is the premiere of “Private First Class Jesse Givens,” a setting of a letter from a fallen U.S. soldier in Iraq by American composer Lee Hoiby. Cantus has rapidly developed into one of the finest male choral ensembles performing today and this recording accurately captures that talent.
Listen to "Remember Me" in RealAudio.
| 8449 CD $15.98 |
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Puer natus in Bethlehem Omnis mundus jucundetur Four Carols All This Night Shrill Chanticleer What Sweeter Music As I Out Rode This Enderes Night A Virgin Most Pure Hail Mary Go Tell It On The Mountain Hodie Christmas naatus est Masters in This Hall God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen Alilo Riu Riu Chiu Los Reyes Magos Bethlehemu Deck The Halls |
Minneapolis/St. Paul's ten-strong, all-male Cantus has impressed us with their excellent earlier recordings and continue to do so with "Comfort and Joy: Volume Two," their second Christmas recording. Song selection and arrangements (and, for that matter, the elegant liner notes) are particularly fine here. Little-known pieces like "Puer natus in Bethlehem," Omnis mundus jucundetur," "Four Carols" by Halsey Stevens," Wm. Dawson's "Hail Mary," the Plainchant "Hodie Christus natus est," the Georgian wassailing song "Alilo," Ariel Ramirez' "Los Reyes Magos" and Babatunde Olatunji's "Betelehemu" with the more traditional carols like "Go Tell it On the Mountain," the French carol "Masters In This Hall," "God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen," "Riiu Riu Chiu," and an almost unrecognizable arrangement of "Deck the Halls." Some percussion and accompaniment. Consistent throughout are the powerful harmonies of Cantus, one of our favorite male ensembles.
Listen to "Masters in This Hall" in RealAudio.
| 7876 CD $15.98 |
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Puer natus est Gabriel's Message Ave Maria O Little Town of Bethlehem Hodi Christus natus est O magnum mysterium (J. Handel) O magnum mysterium (M. Lauridsen) Mary Had a Baby Suo Gan A La Nanita Nana I Wonder as I Wander The Three Kings What Child Is This? Die Konige Coventry Carol Silent Night |
Cantus does it again and delivers another top knotch recording and shows how
this fine male ensemble is developing into a world class act. This well recorded
release features Gregorian chant, folksong arrangements, and major Christmas
works for male choir, such as Morten Lauridsen's glorious "O Magnum Mysterium"
and Franz Biebl's moving "Ave Maria." Also featured are new arrangements by
members of the ensemble of familiar holiday songs, as well as newly commissioned
Christmas compositions. The song selection ranges from familiar carols such
as "O Little Town of Bethlehem," "I Wonder as I Wander," "The Three Kings,"
"What Child Is This and "Silent Night," to a Welsh lullaby, "Suo Gan," and "Gabrielšs
Message," a Basque carol arranged by John Rutter. This CD is intended to go
well with a cold night, a roaring fire, and some eggnog. Due to the loving work
of John Atkinson and the singers of Cantus, the album is that and more. It illuminates
the human side of the Nativity, focusing on the idea of new life in the dead
of winter and the bond between parent and child. Beautiful holiday music, finely-crafted
and effortlessly sung.
| 7316 CD $15.98 |
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Ezekiel Saw De Wheel (arr. Harry T. Burleigh) Heav'n, Heav'n (arr. Harry T. Burleigh) Poor Man Lazarus (arr. Jester Hairston) King Jesus Is A-Listening (arr. William L. Dawson) This Ol' Hammer (arr. John W. Work) Great God A'mighty(arr. Jester Hairston) Were You There? (arr. Harry T. Burleigh) There Is A Balm In Gilead (arr. William L. Dawson) Deep River (arr. Harry T. Burleigh) Swing Low, Sweet Chariot (arr. William L. Dawson) My Lord, What A Mornin' (arr. Harry T. Burleigh) Steal Away (arr. Harry T. Burleigh) Soon Ah Will Be Done (arr. William L. Dawson) In His Care-O (William L. Dawson) Ev'ry Time I Feel The Spirit (arr. William L. Dawson) In Dat Great Gittin' Up Mornin'' (arr. Jester Hairston) |
"Cantus" is an eleven member all-male group hailing from St. Olaf's College in Minnesota. Their holiday disc includes many traditional favorites, such as "Coventry Carol," "Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming," and "God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen" and an original version of "Deck the Halls" (done in 5/4, with jazzy harmonies??, a definite departure from the style on the rest of the recording). "Riu, Riu, Chiu," sung in Spanish, and accompanied by appropriate percussion, accented like a russian song (ask the group about this.) The recording, made in a church, adds atmosphere and presence to the group's own melliflous blend; the notes "float" effortlessly as if weightless. The classically-trained voices are well-suited to the sacred material, the sound of which conveys allegiance to its origin centuries ago. A calming shelter from the Christmas frenzy.
Listen to "In Dat Great Gittin' Up Mornin'" in RealAudio.
| 6942 CD $15.98 |
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Hymnus (Sibelius) O Vos Omnes (Casals) Sunt Lacrimae Rerum (Orff) Varjele, Jumala, Soasta (Tormis) Absalon, fili mi (Josquin) Sydameni laulu (Sibelius) Grab und Mond (Schubert) Two Laments on Dylan Thomas (Jennings) De Profundis (Madetoja) Alleluia (Thompson) Invocation (Debussy) Heaven-Haven (A Nun Takes the Veil) (Barber) |
The 11 men who form the acclaimed Woodbury, MN-based Cantus bring
us another perfectly crafted collection of sacred choral music. "Against" includes
Sibelius' "Hymnus," Casals' "O Vos Omnes, Orff's Sunt Lacrimae Rerum, Tormis'
Varjele, Jumala, soasta, Josquin's Absalon, fili mi, Sibelius' Sydameni Laulu,"
Schubert's "Grab und Mond," Jennings' "Two Laments on Dylan Thomas," Madetoja's
"De Profundus," Thompson's "Alleluia," Debussy's "Invocation" and Barber's "Heaven-Haven."
The CD is beautifully packaged, with a small book of all the lyrics poetically
presented. One of the best male choruses in the world brings us a gift of timeless
spiritual music-music that takes us to another reality, a place of benediction,
praise and worship.
| 6761 CD $15.98 |
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Let Your Voice Be Heard Dravidian Dithyramb El Yivneh Hagalil Nukapianguaq O Filii Et Finliae Dulaman What Shall We Do With the Drunken Sailor Songs from Matengo Folktales Mata del Anima Sola Shen Khar Venakhi K'ang-ting Love Song She Moved Through the Fair Domaredansen Loch Lomond Danny Boy Shenandoah Rainbow 'Round My Shoulder Were You There One By One Let Your Voice Be Heard |
Cantus is a professional, 11-male vocal chamber ensemble dedicated to exalting
the human spirit through the performance of innovative and engaging musical
programs. Their focus is not only on singing the finest literature of the past
but also to present new music created by group members or commissioned for the
group. People may experience them through concerts, recordings, clinics and
new musical scores. The 19 songs on "Let Your Voice" are an exciting mix: the
title tune (African Jazz, with non-vocal percussion, which is present on other
tracks),"Dravidian Dithyramb" (Indian Dance Music), "El Yivneh Hagalil" (Hebrew
Folk Song), and "What Shall We Do the Drunken Sailor" (English Sea Shanty),
share CD space with "Mata Del Anima Sola," a Venezuelan Joropo, "Shen Khar Venakhi
(Georgian Wedding Song), "K'ang-ting Love Song" (Chinese Folk Song) and "Were
You There" (African-American Spiritual). All songs feature innovative arrangements
and often breathtaking spirit and energy. A rousing, powerful CD from an amazing,
talented ensemble.
| 6806 CD $15.98 |
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Veni Creator Spiritus Cantate Domino The Pauperum Refugium O Filii Et Finliae Alleluia, Amen The Vagabond Two Setings Of Rupert Brooke Oh! Love The Hill Break, Break, Break Loch Lomond Doraredansen Mouth Music Bullgine Run This Ol' Hammer In His Care-O One By One |
This young male ensemble from the great choral-producing regions of Minnesota,
under the artistic direction of Erik Lichte, bring a fresh elegance and vitality
to their repetoire. Cantus incorporates a wide variety of influences from across
the globe. A contemporary setting of the Latin "Veni Creator Spiritus," is followed
by three similar works, dating from Rennaissance or pre-Rennaissance. Ralph
Vaughan Williams' "The Vagabond" is musically itinerant, restlessly drifting
between tonalities. The melancholy "This Ol' Hammer," an African-American work
song, has a solo lead on the verses, while the chorus echoes key phrases in
assent; the arrangement manipulates the placement and number of voices throughout,
adding and subtracting for variety and dynamic range. "One by One" is Zulu -
sung in Zulu - with whoops and caterwauling, all very tuneful, of course. It's
a jubilant finale.
| 6415 CD $15.98 |
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Introit for Trinity Sunday: Benedicta sit O sacrum convivium If Ye Love Me Thee We Adore Missa a cappella Kyrie Agnus Dei Our Father Ave Maria Nachtlliches Standchen Thou Didst Delight My Eyes The Turtle Dove Danny Boy Shenandoah Prayer of the Children Adoramus te |
The young men of Cantus, an eleven-member ensemble from St. Olaf College,
perform choral literature ranging from polyphony and chant to art songs and
spirituals. Therefore the Latin "O Sacrum Convivium" (De Victoria)
and Tallis" "If Ye Love Me" reside along a 20th century Gustafsson-composed
"Kyrie" and "Gloria," the dissonant intervals heralding
the epoch of modernism. "Nachtliches Standchen," a romantic lied,
a form of which Schubert was master, is included, as is Finzi's "Thou Didst
Delight My Eyes." "Shenandoah" and "Danny Boy" are
quietly lambent; the acoustics of the church in Minnesota, where this CD was
recorded, a perfect setting.
| 6468 CD $15.98 |
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Veni, Veni Emmanuel O Magnum Mysterium Riu, Riu Chiu Gabriels' Message Salvation Is Created Alleluia Hail Mary Lo, How A Rose E're Blooming O Holy Child Coventry Carol Suo Gan I Wonder As I Wander God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen I Saw Three Ships Deck The Halls Silent Night |
"Cantus" is an eleven member all-male group hailing from St. Olaf's College in Minnesota. Their holiday disc includes many traditional favorites, such as "Coventry Carol," "Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming," and "God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen" and an original version of "Deck the Halls" (done in 5/4, with jazzy harmonies??, a definite departure from the style on the rest of the recording). "Riu, Riu, Chiu," sung in Spanish, and accompanied by appropriate percussion, accented like a russian song (ask the group about this.) The recording, made in a church, adds atmosphere and presence to the group's own melliflous blend; the notes "float" effortlessly as if weightless. The classically-trained voices are well-suited to the sacred material, the sound of which conveys allegiance to its origin centuries ago. A calming shelter from the Christmas frenzy."
Listen to "O Holy Child" in RealAudio.
| 6467 CD $15.98 |
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Do Not Go Gentle Into The Night - Kenneth Jennings TTBB |
Kenneth Jennings' settings of two Dylan Thomas poems 'Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night,' and And Death Shall Have No Dominion' are both beautiful arrangements. 'Loch Lomond' is a Scottish folk song that dates back to the Jacobite Rebellion. Care has been taken to preserve the authenticity of the language in this arrangement, with the help of a ipa chart in the performance notes of this chart. With an energetic, strong opening and a more lyric, gentle section in the middle, 'Alleluia' provides an overall sense of the joy we experience while praising god. 'Let the Bullgine Tun,' a vigorous, humorous, traditional sea chantey is guaranteed to delight both singers and audiences.
| 9113 SHEETMUSIC $7.95 |
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Barb'ra Allen - Jameson Marvin TTBB |
The highly expressive setting of 'Barbara Allen' brings the rich harmonies and sad, but poignant, text to life in a grand and glorious way. The six part arrangement of 'Danny Boy,' arranged by Eric Lichte, is breath-taking to say the least. Cantus took Harry T. Burliegh's arrangements of 'Deep River' and 'Heav'n Heav'n,' making them their own. The results are fine, challenging arrangements that your men's choir will love to sing. 'She Moved Through the Fair' can be used to experiment with the color of the upper register in male voices, performance notes include some helpful suggestions for making this beautifully challenging piece easier for the higher voices.
| 9130 SHEETMUSIC $6.50 |
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