In Celebration of the Human Voice - The Essential Musical Instrument

Dutch Choral Music

Displaying 1-31 of 31 items.

Gents : 16th Century English Choral Music

Review: Perhaps it's an example of a characteristically Dutch sense of humor to have a group called the Gents performing music by the Gentlemen of the Chapel Royal, the court composers of sixteenth century England. But when the group gets down to the music, it's all business. The Gents are not an English but a Dutch ensemble, formed of veterans of one of Holland's top boys' choirs. They have put together an exceptionally fine program that gets into the meat of the English tradition without giving it the layers of reverence that the music can take on when done by English cathedral choirs who have been at it for centuries. As would a day of music heard by Henry VIII or Elizabeth I, the program mixes sacred polyphony with a few madrigals, organ pieces, and viol works -- and in so doing illuminates the ways in which these traditions shaped each other. The inclusion of a work like Robert White's comparatively little-heard Christe, qui lux es et dies, a version for viols of an originally vocal sacred piece, shows how the viol consort tradition was rooted in sacred polyphonic art. But the real beauties of the album reside in the vocal performances themselves. The Gents have a sound both precise and lush. Just 16 strong, they deliver plenty of power in the two big works by Alfonso Ferrabosco I (tracks 12 and 15), an Italian transplant who worked in an imposing style of Catholic music that was, over time, replaced under Anglican influence by simpler textures. More transparent music, in English, is done equally well; sample the psalm settings by Thomas Weelkes, tracks 2 and 4, for examples. The only source of complaint here is the skimpy booklet, which skims over the material and provides no texts at all -- but despite their non-English origins, the Gents articulate the words of the English-language pieces well enough that most listeners will understand them. This is an excellent introduction to English sacred music of the sixteenth century, covering a broad chronological sweep

Songlist: Eliza, her name gives honour, Ave verum Corpus, My Ladye Nevells Booke: A Fancie in C major, Ave Maria, Mater Dei, Incipit Lamentatio Jeremiae Prophetae I, Incipit Lamentatio Jeremiae Prophetae II, In depth no man remembreth Thee, Paradizo, The Sighes, The Honie-suckle, Eliza is the fairest Queen, Ave Maria for 5 voices, Credo quod Redemptor, Salvator mundi, Miserere nostri, Remember me, O Lord, Lord, to Thee I make my moan, Deliver us, O Lord

Netherlands Chamber Choir : Andrea Gabrieli - Psalms of David

Review: Paul van Nevel directs the choir on the works of Andrea Gabrieli (1532/3-1586).

Songlist: Domine Ne In Furore Tuo Arguas Me, Beati Quorum Remissae Sunt Iniquitates, Domine Ne In furore uo Arguae Me, Miserere Mei Deus, Domine Exaudi Ora Tionem Meam, De Profundis Clamai Ad Te, Domine, Domine Exaudi Orationem Meam

Netherlands Chamber Choir : Darius Milhaud Choral Works

Review: The acclaimed Stephen Layton guest directs the choir on the works of Darius Milhaud (1892 - 1974). French composer Darius Milhaud belongs to the 1920s Jazz Age. A member of the famous French group of composers Le Six, he is best known for his ballet Le Boeuf sur le Toit (The Ox on the Roof'). He favoured bi-tonality, often used by Les Six. Milhaud was a part of the post World War I scene, after the late Romantic or 'impressionistic' styles of Debussy and even Stravinsky. Milhaud was fond of jazz and the Latin American rhythms.

Songlist: Cantique Du Rhone, Les Duex Cites, Devant Sa Main Nue, Naissance De Venus, Trois Psaumes De David, Promesse De Dieu

Netherlands Chamber Choir : Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy

Review: The complete Part-Songs for a cappella mixed chorus.

Songlist: Sechs Lieder In Freien Zu Singen Op 59., Aus Sechs Lieder Op. 88, Vier Lieder Op.100, Sechs Lieder Im Freien Zu Singen Op. 41, Sechs Lieder In Freien Zu Singen Op. 48

Netherlands Chamber Choir : Hindemith Choral Works for a Cappella Chorus

Review: Hindemith is among the most significant German composers of his time. His early works are in a late romantic idiom, and he later produced expressionist works, rather in the style of early Arnold Schoenberg, before developing a leaner, contrapuntally complex style in the 1920s. This style has been described as neoclassical, but is very different from the works by Igor Stravinsky labeled with that term, owing more to the contrapuntal language of Bach than the Classical clarity of Mozart.

Songlist: Six Chansons nach Rilke - La Biche, Un Cygne, Puisque tout passe, Printemps, En Hiver, Verger, Eine lichte Mitternacht, Du mubt dir Alles geben, Der Tod, Nun da der Tag, Mitwelt, Tauche deine Furcht, Trink aus, Fruhling, Judaskuss, Du Zweifel, Mass for mixed chorus - Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Benedictus, Agnes Dei

Netherlands Chamber Choir : Hugo Distler

Review: Because so much emphasis is currently placed upon the fate of Jewish composers under the Nazis, it is easy to forget that there were some German musicians who also suffered as a result of the repressive policies of the regime. Among those that can be singled out in this respect is Hugo Distler, a highly talented church organist and choral conductor who committed suicide at the age of 34 in 1942, on learning that he had been called up for military service. The two large-scale works presented here offer typical examples of the so-called Orgelbewegung style drawing their inspiration from Bach in the trenchant use of chorale and Schutz in the density of polyphonic argument. It's a tribute to Distler's mastery and the outstanding singing of the Netherlands Chamber Choir that despite this obvious musical provenance, both works strike an individual voice and sustain one's interest without the textural variety of an instrumental accompaniment.

Songlist: Totentanz, Spruchmotetten zum Totensonntag, Choral-Passion, Op. 7, Erster Teil: Der Einzug, Zweiter Teil: Judas und der Pharisaer Rat, Dritter Teil: Das Abendmahl, Vierter Teil: Gethsemane, Funfter Teil: Kaiphas, Sechster Teil: Pilatus, Letzter Teil: Golgotha

Netherlands Chamber Choir : Penderecki - Miserere

Review: The choral works of of Krzysztof Penderecki as performed by this internationally acclaimed chorus.

Songlist: Veni Creator, In Pulverem Mortis, De Profundis, Miserere, Benedictus, Stabat Mater, Song Of Cherubim, Agnus Dei, Benedicamus

Netherlands Chamber Choir : Rudolf Escher - Choral Works

Review: Rudolf Escher was a teacher and writer of music, a painter and poet as well as a composer. As a result he was very aware of the connection between text and music, which also came from his love of Renaissance choral music. His writing style was such that it defied classification with his use of polymelody, antimetric rhythm and chromatic harmonies. The pieces presented on this CD are the complete a cappella choral works by Escher. In the set "Songs of Love and Eternity" with poems by Emily Dickinson, Escher brings out the very dramatic images of nature in the text. Escher's music is considered extremely difficult. The first performance of "Songs of Love" was postponed twelve years after its completion. Under the direction of Ed Spanjaard, the Netherlands Chamber Choir makes it seem and sound easy. Much of the revered music from the Netherlands comes from the Renaissance period. Escher should, as well, be put on this list.

Songlist: Songs of Love and Eternity (1955), (Text: Emily Dickinson 1830-1886), - These are the days when birds come back, - Wild nights!, - Heart, we will forget him!, - The wind tapped like a tired man, - To make a prairie it take s clover, From: Poems, first and second series, (Text: Emily Dickinson), - I taste a liquor never brewed (1955), From: Le vrai visage de la paix par Picasso et Eluard, (Text: Paul Eluard 1895-1952), - Le vrai visage de la paix (1953, rev. 1957), Ciel air et vents (1957), (Text: Pierre de Ronsard 1524-1588), - Ode, - Chanson, - Sonnet, Three poems by W.H. Auden (1975), (Text: William H. Auden 1907-1973), - If I could tell you, - A curse, - Warm are the sill and lucky miles

Netherlands Chamber Choir : Schat / Boemer / de Leeuw

Review: Review pending.

Songlist: Adem Opus 32, Canto in Modo Nono, Cinq Hymnes, O Mon Coeur, Regarde, Le Son des Cloches Invisibles, Silence, La Source de Toute Musique

Netherlands Chamber Choir : Sweelinck Choral Works Vol 2

Review: A choice selection of religious and non-religious texts, this is the second release in this successful series by the Netherlands Chamber Choir.

Songlist: Bienheureux est quiconques (Psalm 128), Ainsi qu'on oit le cerf bruire (Psalm 42), Vide homo, quae pro te patior, Revenge moy, pren la querelle (Psalm 43), Non omnis qui dicit mihi Domine, In te Domini speravi, Qui vult venire post me, Beati pauperes spiritu, Mon coeur est dispos, O mon Dieu (Psalm 108), Mon Dieu me paist sous sa puissance haute (Psalm 23), Estans assis aux rives aquatiques (Psalm 137), Cantate Domino canticum novem, Le Toutpuissant a mon Seigneur et maistre (Psalm 110), Regina coeli laetare, Or est maintenant l'eternel regnant (Psalm 99)

Netherlands Chamber Choir : Sweelinck Choral Works Vol 3

Review: A choice selection of religious and non-religious texts, this is the third and last release in this successful series by the Netherlands Chamber Choir.

Songlist: Diligam te Domine, fortitudo mea, O Dieu, mon honneur et ma gloire (Psalm 109), Tanto tempore vobiscum sum, A Dieu ma voix j'ay haussee (Psalm 77), Che giova posseder, Yeux, qui guidez mon ame en l'amoureux voyage, Dolcissimo ben mio, speme di questo core, O Domine Jesu Christe, pastor bone, Quand Israel hors d'Egypte sortit (Psalm 144), Timor Domini principium sapientiae, Mein junges Leben hat ein End, Qual vive Salamandra in fiamma ardente,

Netherlands Chamber Choir : Taneyev - The Twelve Choruses, Op. 27

Review: If it is possible to compose Russian a cappella music that is at once severely contrapuntal and warmly sensual, austerely spiritual and deeply emotional, Sergey Taneyev did it in his 12 Choruses on poems by Jakov Petrovich Polonski, Op. 27. Compared with Rachmaninov's Vespers, with its massively archaic harmonies and deliberately anachronistic tone, Taneyev's Choruses are clearly products of their late romantic time and decadent imperial place. As performed by the Netherlands Chamber Choir led by T nu Kaljuste, Taneyev's Choruses sound at once robustly mystical and lucidly expressive.

Songlist: At The Grave, Evening, A Tower In Ruins, Look Such A Mist, On The Ship, Prayer, Suddenly A Music Sounded From Eternity, Prometheus, From The Clouds, Stars, Over The Mountains Two Gloomy Clouds, Those Days When Over The Drousy Sea

Netherlands Chamber Choir : Vox Neerlandica 1

Review: The Renaissance period was a prolific time in the Netherlands. The area produced such composers as Giullaume Dufay, Jacob Obrecht and Orlandus Lassus to name a few. Works by these greats and more appear on Vox Neerlandica I. Spanning a 200 year period the pieces are in chronological order which allows the listener to hear the development of the styles coming from this very influential region. Directed by Paul van Nevel, the Netherlands Chamber Choir is as magnificent as ever.

Songlist: Gloria (Johannes Ciconia), Guillaume Dufay:, - Ave regina, - Alma redemptoris, Josquin des Prez:, - Tu solus qui facis mirabilia, - La deploration de Johan Okeghem, Salve Regina (Jacob Obrecht), O salutaris hostia (Pierre de la Rue), Pater Noster (Adriaan Willaert), Carole magnus eras (Jacobus Clemens non Papa), Datemi pace (Cipriano de Rore), Musiciens qui chantez (Hubert Waelrant), Suscipiant, Domine (Jacobus de Kerle), Orlandus Lassus:, - Jubilate Deo, - Io ti voria, - Tristis est anima mea, Voi bramate, ben mio (Cornelis Schuyt), Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck:, - Pseaume 90, - Laudate Dominum

Netherlands Chamber Choir : Vox Neerlandica 2

Review: On Vox Neerlandica II, the Netherlands Chamber Choir, led by Uwe Gronostay, explores Dutch music from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These pieces come from a collection of the same name which has preserved choral music coming from the Netherlands. Though often overshadowed, the Netherlands has produced some fine music. The a cappella pieces on this recording are no exception. They are wonderfully sung by a first-rate choir who has no musical limitations.

Songlist: De nevel dekt ons, Rei van Edelingen, Auf dem See, Chanson d'automne, Hymnus de ascensione Domini, Salve Regina, Qui habitat, Wanerers Nachtlied, Wiegelied, Canamus, amici, canamus, Finnigan's wake, Les compagnons de la Marjolaine, Nu sijt willekome, Pater noster, Hemelsch Vader, Sonnet No. 43, Priere, Als de ziele luistert, Psaume 121

Quink Vocal Ensemble : Ain't Misbehavin'

Review: The three women and two men of this Dutch classical ensemble open this recording with 6 sixteenth-century works by the Dutch composer Sweelinck (though written in French, the courtly language of the time). Two "chanson" by Debussy follow, and then selections by Poulenc and Britten, both twentieth-century composers; as is characteristic of modern music, the harmonic progressions can be something of a non-sequitur, depending on your point of view! For dessert, five close harmony arrangements, including "Besame Mucho," "My Romance" (as arranged by Puerling) and of course, "Ain't Misbehavin'". A rich and satisfying tapestry of sound.

Songlist: vostre amour est vagabonde, tes beaux yeux, tu as tous seul, pseaume 72: tes jugements dieu veritable, pseaume 78: sois ententif, mon peuple, pseaume 137: estans assisaux rives aquatiques, dieu! qu'il la fait bon regarder, yver! vous n'estes qu'un villain, la petite fille sage, le chien perdu, en rentrant de i'ecole, le petit garcon malade, le herisson, st. godrics hymn, i mon waxe wod, lenten is come, the long night, yif ic of luv can, carol, ye that pasen by, a death, besame mucho, if ever i would leave you, misty, My Romance, ain't misbehavin'

Quink Vocal Ensemble : Benjamin Britten

Review: Acclaimed Dutch singers perform beautifully the unaccompanied choral works of Britten. Since their debut in 1978 the ensemble has finely-crafted its bright, clear, rich a cappella sound, applying it with great success to compositions from Renaissance, Baroque, Romantic and even folk origins. Quink's take on master vocal composer Benjamin Britten is unusual in that they perform works written for choir and unaccompanied chorus, shedding new light on them with the intimacy and clarity of their interpretations. Beginning with "Hymn to St. Cecelia, OP. 27" (1942) and "Five Flower Songs, OP. 47" (1950) and continuing through the eight Medieval lyrics of "Sacred and Profane, OP. 91" (1975, a year before Britten's death), these songs give us a new appreciation of Britten, and of course of Quink, one of the best classical choral quintets in the world! Recommended.

Songlist: Hymn To Cecilia, Five Flower Songs, Sacred And Profane, A Wealden Trio: The Song Of Women - Ford, The Sycamore Tree - Trad., A Shepard's Carol - Auden

Listen to
A un ni–o llorando

Quink Vocal Ensemble : Christmas With - A Un Nino Llorando

Review: Since its first concerts in 1978 this group of five professional singers consistently ranks among the top a cappella ensembles of the world. The five versatile musicians always strive for authenticity in the way they perform the different styles of music with a repertoire that stretches from the Middle Ages to Contemporary Music. This historically accurate, vivid collection of Christmas songs ranges from the Renaissance to modern times and are sung (and recorded) exquisitely. Well known in Europe this ensemble is not so well known in the US and we hope that they will tour here more often. Their singing and arrangements are topnotch and this recording belongs in everybody's Holiday collection.

Songlist: Gloria in cielo e pace in terra, O Jesu dolce, Nino Dios d'amor herido, Pastores, si nos quereis, Oyd, oyd, una cosa divina, Virgen sancta, A un nino llorando, Celebrate This Holy One, Follow That Star, Christmas Song, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, A Virgin Most Pure, Ding Dong! Merrily on High, It Came Upon a Midnight Clear, King Jesus Hath a Garden, God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen, Past Three a Clock, A Venezuelan Christmas Carol, 4 Dutch Christmas Carols, O Little Town of Bethlehem, Away in a Manger

Listen to
And though my love abounding

Quink Vocal Ensemble : English Madrigals

Review: Between 1588 and 1627, the isolation of English musical culture was broken by the influx of Italian music and composers, and during this period a beautiful collection of Madrigals with English words and composers was created. The acclaimed Quink Vocal Ensemble (Kees-Jan de Koning, bass, Harry van Berne, tenor, Paula de Wit, soprano, Machteld van Woerden, soprano, and Corrie Pronk, alto) bring us 18 perfectly-recorded madrigals from this period, three from Thomas Morley, two from Francis Pilkington, two from Thomas Tomkins, two from Thomas Bateson, two from William Byrd, one from John Farmer, four from John Wilbye, and two from Thomas Weelkes. This music is bright and romantic, with a lively grace and harmonic clarity, the result of probably the first English musical "craze!"

Songlist: Now Is The Month Of Maying, Farewell, Disdainful, No, No Nigella, Why Should I Grieve?, Sweet Phylida, Phyllis, Now Cease To Move Me, Too Much I Once Lamented, Those Sweet Delightful Lilies, Phyllis, Farewell, Come To Me Grief, Forever, Come, Woeful Orpheus, Fair Phyllis I Saw, Weep, Weep, Mine Eyes, (1st Part)I Fall, I Fall, O Stay Me, (2nd Part) And Though My Love Abounding, Adieu, Sweet Amaryllis, The Nightingale, The Organ Of Delight, Hark, All Ye Lovely Saints

Quink Vocal Ensemble : Folk Songs of the World

Review: Folk songs exist in all countries and come from all centuries, whether in the form of lullabies, love songs or narrative ballads. These songs reflect our societies and diverse cultures. The Quink Vocal Ensemble has captured some of these songs from Europe, the United States and Israel. A number of them were arranged by classical composers such as Ralph Vaughn Williams who actively collected and studied folk songs and Arnold Schoenberg, best known for his less tonal works, set texts from the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries to create works that rival the best Renaissance madrigals. This CD brings together a quite varied but interesting group of songs.

Songlist: Hora!, Hitrag'ut, Sheleg al yiri, Loch Lomond, The Dark-Eyed Sailor, She's Like The Swallow, At The Foot Of Yonder Mountain, The Riddle Song, Nyeznyakomka, The Unfaithful Lover, Handsome Mirko / Eighteen Shining Buttons, Heaven Above, Hussars / Fairy Tale, Am Donaustrom, Ej, steht ein Madchen, Auf der Erde hat nichts Weile, Glaubst du, dass ich, Ich hab' die Nacht getraumet, Wie kommt's dass du so traurig bist, Schein uns, du liebe Sonne, Herzlieblich Lieb, durch Scheiden, Virginie, les larm' aux yeux, Oh! Madelon, je dois partir, !Viva La Mancha!, !Con el vito!

Quink Vocal Ensemble : Invisible Cities

Review: On Invisible Cities, Quink Vocal Ensemble perform unusual and striking a cappella repertoire. The performances heard on this recording make up a rare collection of the music of twentieth century Dutch composers. This release contains works rooted in Gregorian chant as well as pieces influenced by the atonal and twelve-tone compositions of this century.

Songlist: Ton de Leeuw, Missa Brevis, Kyrie eleison, Gloria, Sanctus, Benedictus, Agnus Dei, Priere, Robert Heppener, Canti carnascialeschi:, Trionfo di Bacco e d'Arianna, Daan Manneke, Madrigaal: "La citta sottili", Huub Kerstens, Als ghy van de doodt sult zijn verbeten, opus 38, Manneke, Psaume 121, De Leeuw, En begheeft my niet, Egidius, waer bestu bleven?, Het visschertje, Kerstens, Les mortels, opus 19b, Manneke, Due Cante, Canto I, Canto 11

Quink Vocal Ensemble : Songs and Elegies

Review: The talented Dutch vocal ensembles perform the works of Gerald Finzi and Ralph Vaughn Williams. Delightful!

Songlist: Time, Come away, death, Ring out your bells, Love is a sickness, Rest, The unquiet grave, Heart's Music, Linden Lea, Fain would I change that note, Alister Mc. Alpines lament, Silence and music, Life a right shadow is, This world a hunting is, This life which seems so fair, I praise the tender flower, I have loved flowers that fade, My spirit sang all day, Clear and gentle stream!, Nightingales, Haste on, my joys!, Wherefore to-night so full of care

Quink Vocal Ensemble : William Byrd Choral Music

Review: Acclaimed Dutch vocal ensembles sings the cappella works of William Byrd including The Mass For Four Voices.

Songlist: Mass for Four Voices, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Kyrie, Benedictus, Agnes Dei, Come to me rief for ever, Retire my soul, Come help O God, Prevent us O Lord, Cibavit eos, Ave verum corpus, Confirma hoc deus, Lustorum animae

Quink Vocal Ensemble : Gioacchino Rossini

Review: Rossini's "Little Solemn Mass, " which the composer famously called "neither little, nor more than intermittently solemn," was nevertheless a great success at its premiere in Paris on March 14, 1864, by which time the famous opera composer was already long "retired," though he continued to write in non-operatic genres. Rossini was 71 when he wrote it, and it was to be his last large composition. The other small songs and piano pieces he created were published under the ironic title of Peches de vieillesse - "Sins of My Old Age." The first version was scored for two pianos, harmonium, and twelve voices and did not yet include the "O Salutaris" for soprano solo which was added later.Within three years Rossini had responded to requests for an orchestration; this version for large ensemble was not given until after the composer's death, at the Theatre Italien in Paris, on February 24, 1869. The Quink Vocal Ensemble is one of the best vocal groups in the world. Their repertoire includes a cappella works ranging from the early Renaissance to contemporary music. Quink has toured the U.S. at least once a year since 1985 and recorded many albums for Telarc.

Songlist: Kyrie, Gloria, Laudamus Te, Gratias, Domine Deus, Qui Tollis, Quoniam, Cum Sancto Spiritu, Credo Crucixus, Et Resurrexit, Et Vitam VEnturi, Prelude Relgieux, Ritournelle, Sanctus Benedictus, O Salutaris, Agnus Dei, Prelude Religieux

Frommermann : Holland - America Line

Review: The Holland-America Line (HAL) was originally a shipping company that maintained an ocean route between the Netherlands and the United States. Before the days of air travel, the Rotterdam-New York journey played an important role for emigrants from Europe to America. During the 1930s, thousands of Europeans departed on one of the HAL ships, traveling from the Wilhelmina dock in Rotterdam to the United States, in search of a better life or a safe refuge. Many left their native countries forever in order to escape the growing threat of the nazi regime. This was also the case for Erich Collin, Roman Cycowski, and Harry Frommermann, all of whom sang in the famous Comedian Harmonists, and all three of whom were Jewish. They fled from Germany after the Nazis had disbanded their ensemble; ultimately they emigrated to the USA. America was not just the land of the free; it was a world power in the music business. European musicians had already been drawing inspiration from American examples for many years; the Comedian Harmonists, first set up in Berlin by Harry Frommermann in emulation of the American Revelers, were no exception.

Songlist: It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing), The flatter the plate, Bel me even op (7.7.7.7.7.), Java jive, Into each life some rain must fall, Liefde in rhythme, Daniel prayed, Bel ami, Jeepers creepers, Mijn broer maakt voor het hoorspel de geluiden, I'm making believe, Matrozenlied, Morgen vaar ik weg, Dry bones, Lou de ladenlichter, Veel mooier, Brother Noah, New York, New York, Does your heart beat for me

Frommermann : Music of the Comedian Harmonists

Review: he Dutch group Frommermann is named after Harry Frommermann, who in 1927 founded the Comedian Harmonists. This German ensemble, comprised of five singers and a pianist, was in the late twenties and early thirties of the last century a huge sensation. The Comedian Harmonists were namely renowned for their broad variety of vocal styles and the fine sense of comedy with which they performed close harmony music. Within a short period they became international celebrities with concerts in Europe and the United States. In 1935 the Comedian Harmonists were forced by the Nazis to disband, silencing this ensemble for eternity. Around Christmas 2004, at the request of the Grachtenfestival in Amsterdam, Marcel Reijans selected a group of fellow singers and a pianist who shared his love for the music of the Comedian Harmonists. With this group of men, each busy with national and international careers, he made Broken Silence, a tribute to the Comedian Harmonists. With this theater program Frommermann broke the silence that was imposed on the Comedian Harmonists and their music gained a voice again in the Netherlands. The three concerts in the 2005 Grachtenfestival were a great success. The numerous positive reactions from the public and press lead immediately to an invitation to perform at the annual Koninginneconcert (Queens Concert) at the Noordeinde Palace in The Hague. This concert, which was attended by Her Majesty Queen Beatrix, the royal family and many esteemed guests, was also received with much acclaim. The NPS (Netherlands Public Broadcasting Service) made a documentary and registration of the concert, which was broadcasted nationwide on Koninginnedag (Queens Day) 2006

Songlist: Veronika, Der Lenz Ist Da, Eine Kleine Fruhlingsweise, Overture To Il Barbiere Di Siviglia, Mein Kleiner Gruner Kaktus, Stormy Weather, Ali Baba, In Einem Kuhlen Grunde, Wenn Ich Vergnugt Bin, Wir Sind von Kopf Bis Fub Auf Liebe Eingestellt, Schone Isabella Aus Kastilien, Morgen Mub Ich Fort von Hier, Wochenend Und Sonnenschein, Night and Day, When Yumba Plays the Rhumba On the Tuba, Kannst Du Pfeifen Johanna?, Guter Mond Du Gehst So Stille, Holzhackerlied, Gitarren Spielt Auf, Leb' Wohl, Gute Reise

Gents : Follow That Star

Review: After their first CD for Channel Classics: The Gentlemen of the Chapel Royal, with English Polyphony of the Renaissance, now present themselves in a completely different guise: on this Christmas CD they give you a glimpse of their taste for the lighter styles. You will hear a wide selection of the personal favourites of their singers, such as Follow that star, A Wonderful Christmastime, and Jingle Bell Rock. In addition to other popular Christmas Ballads from the American Songbook, such as Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas and White Christmas, they have put a new spin on a couple of traditional carols, like Silent Night and Es ist ein Ros entsprungen. Most of the arrangements were written especially for The Gents.

Songlist: Follow That Star, Gaudete Christus Est Natus, Es Ist Ein Ros Entsprungen, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, White Christmas, Walking in the Air, Wonderful Christmastime, Hijo de la Luna, Santa Claus Is Coming to Town, Just Another Star, Jingle Bell Rock, Let It Snow, The Christmas Song, Sleighride, Winter Wonderland, Silent Night

Gents : Gentlemen of the Chapel Royal

Review: The first half of the sixteenth century followed a very turbulent course in all of Europe, and England, as well, went through troubled times. Henry VIII succeeded to the throne in 1509, and reigned for 38 years. In 1533 he founded the Anglican church, he married six times, waged wars, and even found a little time to do some composing. After his death in 1547, he was succeeded by Edward VI, who was followed in 1555, after the death of Mary, by Elizabeth I, Henry VIII's younger daughter. Elizabeth had the task of bringing peace and stability to the country, and during her long reign, English music flourished as never before.

Songlist: Ave Maria for 5 voices, Lord, to thee I make my moan, O Lord, God of Israel, Deliver us, O Lord, Ave Maria Mater Dei, Christe, qui lux es et dies, Paradizo (pavan), The Sighes, The Honie-Suckle, almain, Eliza, her name gives honour, Incipit Lamentatio Jeremiae Prophetae I, In depth no man remembreth The, Remember me, O Lord (Psalm 106:4), Incipit Lamentatio Jeremiae Prophetae II, My Lady Nevell's Ground, Salvator mundi, Credo quod Redemptor, Miserere nostri

Gents : Sehnsucht

Review: The nineteenth century was a golden age for choral singing in Germany and Austria. Beginning in 1810, singing clubs, and later on, choral societies, shot up all over this part of the world like mushrooms. You could join a Liedertafel, Liederkranz, or Mannersangverein. Carl Friedrich Zelter, Mendelssohn's teacher and the leader of the Berliner Singverein, was the first person to use the term "Liedertafel" in 1808. The term was used to indicate an informal meeting of poets, composers, and singers who came together to sing German partsongs.In a letter addressed to Goethe, Zelter explained that the 25 members of his Liedertafel were accustomed to sit down at a well-furnished table for a sumptuous dinner followed by an evening of singing. Zelter's group preferred original works, so freshly composed that the ink was still wet. The goal was stimulation and promotion of German poetry and music.The Gents is unique All-male Dutch vocal ensemble that obtained in a very short period a prominent place within the international music world. The group of young singers is praised because of their special sound, the large degree of flexibility and the unequalled interpretation of the very divergent vocal repertoire. Whether it concerns religious music from the Renaissance, romantic English music, arrangements of contemporary jazz and pop songs or especially composed works for the ensemble, the concerts of The Gents are always an extraordinary experience. The concerts can count therefore on enthusiastic public and positive criticisms in the press.

Songlist: Sehnsucht (Nur wer die Sehnsucht kennt), Die Nacht, Standchen, Grab und Mond, Der Entfernten, Nachtviolen, Nachtstuck, Abendstern, An Sylvia, Die Lotosblume, Die Rose stand im Tau, Der traumende See, Vor den Turen, Traumlicht, Sechs Geistliche Lieder

Gents : The Gents in Love

Review: Dijkstra: it gives me great pleasure to present this CD, which appears in response to repeated requests. At last we have taken the opportunity to record this repertoire. How often we have had to disappoint members of the audience when we tell them that, unfortunately, there are no recordings available for the arrangements of Billy Joels Lullabye or Toni Wines Groovy Kind of Love. Here they are at last! Also included are three beautiful songs from the popular Dutch group BLF. The goal of this CD is to evoke the simple joy of singing. In my opinion, it is this quality which, in addition to or even in spite of our attempts at perfection and flexibility, is the most important to convey to an audience, and it is a quality which The Gents always try to express.

Songlist: Michelle, Lullabye, Blackbird, And So It Goes, With A Little Help From My Friends, Misschien niet d e Eeuwigheid, Omarm, Dansen aan zee, Londonderry Air, The Oak and the Ash, Molly Malone, Ca' the Yowes, The Turtle Dove, Hey Jude, If I Fell, A Groovy Kind of Love, And I Love Her

Netherlands Chamber Choir : Bach - Motets

Review: For the conductor Peter Dijkstra, "these works are among Bach's greatest compositions for vocal ensemble. The rhetorical power of Komm, Jesu, komm, the thrilling double-choir passages in Singet dem Herrn ein Neues Lied, the musical signature B-A-C-H at the end of Furchte dich nicht, every one of these demonstrates Bach's mastery and his ability to bring a text to vivid life." This analysis of the relationship between text and music is of great importance to Dijkstra, who leads The Netherlands Chamber Choir in thrilling new performances of the six Motets

Songlist: Komm, Jesu, Komm BWV 229(1730), Der Geist Hilft Unser Schwachheit auf BWV 226 (1729), Lobet Den Herrn, Alle Heiden BWV 230, Jesu, Meine Freude BWV 227 (1723): Jesu, Mein Freude, Jesu, Meine Freude BWV 227 (1723): Unter Deinem Schirmen, Jesu, Meine Freude BWV 227 (1723): Trotz Dem Alten Drachen, Jesu, Meine Freude BWV 227 (1723): Weg Mit Allen Schatzen, Jesu, Meine Freude BWV 227 (1723): Gute Nacht, Jesu, Meine Freude BWV 227 (1723): Weicht, Ihr Trauer Geister, Furchte Dich Nicht BWV 228 (1726), Singet Dem Herrn Ein Neus Lied BWV 225 (1727): Singet Dem Herrn Ein Neus Lied, Singet Dem Herrn Ein Neus Lied BWV 225 (1727): Wie Sich ein Vater Erbarmet, Singet Dem Herrn Ein Neus Lied BWV 225 (1727): Lobet Den Hernn

Malle Babbe Women's Choir : Songs of Survival

Review: These pieces of music came into being in a prison camp on Sumatra. The initial idea was Norah Chambers, and Margaret Dryburgh and her worked on the various pieces. Some they did together and others individually, depending on how well we could remember the original pieces of music. The idea was to bring singers together - Dutch, British, Australian - about thirty in all, to make music to uplift us and perhaps to bring some beauty and sanity. The music was written on odd bits of paper, mostly in pencil, and written as small as possible to save paper. It was difficult at first to sing without words, what sound to make, the tempo and the color. The One sound not used was "AH." It was too throaty. We found the best sounds were "Ne, Le." When notes had to be sung together, as in "Morning Sun," the sixteenth notes were not broken, but sung legato. The sounds used were "Le," with the accent on the first note of the sixteenth notes, such as humming was used when there was a solo singer as undercurrent to the melody.

Songlist: Song of Survival Vol. 1, Song of Survival Vol. 2, Song of Survival Vol. 3, Song of Survival Vol. 4, Song of Survival Vol. 5, Song of Survival Vol. 6

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