Anton Armstrong

Review: The Celestial Country was composed sometime before 1900, probably when Ives was organist at the fashionable First Presbyterian Church in Bloomfield, New Jersey, and it was scored for choir, strings and organ. This dramatic, symphonic work uses choruses, an a cappella chorus and instrumental interludes, and bold unresolved dissonances. Ives strives for a modern, more streamlined expression, though indulging in a Wagnerian finale, as much Wagner as he would ever display in a lifetime of composing. The veteran 75 mixed-voice St. Olaf Choir brings a fresh, immediate feel to this material, as if we are present for the first performance of this work in April, 1902 at Central Presbyterian Church in NYC. First we have the 12 movements of "Celestial Country," then 9 movements of "Silence Accompanied," written in the final years of Ives' creative life, the aftermath of WWI and the defeat of Wilson's plan for the League of Nations. "Aria for Baritone, "Chorus A Cappella," "Double Chorus A Cappella," "Aria for Tenor" and "Chorale & Finale" are particularly fine from "Celestial Country;" "Afterglow," "The Collection," "Duty/Vita/Duty," "Carol," "Sunrise" and "Mists" in "Silence." Beautifully illustrated, complete liner notes tell us all about the composer, the music and the Choir.

Songlist: Prelude, Trio & Chorus, Interlude, Aria for Baritone, Chorus a cappella, Interlude, Intermezzo for String Quartet, Interlude, Double chorus a cappella, Aria for Tenor, Introduction to Finale, Chorale & Finale, Silence Unaccompanied:, Adagio Sostentuto, Evening, Afterglow, The Collection, Duty/Vita/Duty, Carol, Sunrise, Hymn, Mists

Review: In 2005, the renowned St. Olaf Choir recorded a St. Olaf Christmas in Norway with the Nidarosdomens Jentekor and esteemed soloist Randi Stene in Trondheim, Norway. The recording honors Norway's 100 years of independence and celebrates the historic and cultural connecitons between St. Olaf College and the country of Norway

Songlist: O Nata lux De Lumine, O Come All Ye Faithful, Jeg Er Verdens Lys, Light Everlasting, Et Barn Er Fodt I Bethlehem, Lux Aurumque, O Helga NAtt, Interlude From Rosevinduet, Geistliches Wiegenlied Op. 91, Julemotet, True Light, Carol Of The Bells, Juleverset, O Yule Full Of Gladness, Jeger Sa Glad Hver Julekveld, O Day Full Of Grace, Et Barn Er Fodt I Bethlehem, Lullaby On Christmas Eve, Our Father, Hope For Resolution, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, Stay With Us, Beautiful Savior

Review: Those familiar with the works of St. Olaf's know that the choir is part of a long tradition of Scandinavian chorale singing, which often features the compositions and arrangements of the venerated F. Melius Christiansen. One of his arrangements, "O Day Full of Grace," is included here, as well as a seventeenth century spiritual, "O Savior, Throw the Heavens Wide"; a Greek vespers (evening prayer service) hymn, "Hail, Gladdening Light," and various other liturgies. There is piano accompaniment on "Gloria in excelsis Deo" and the spiritual, "Here's a Pretty Little Baby." The purity of the tones and blend is all the more amazing, as the recording was done live. Elegant and pristine.

Songlist: O Savior, Throw The Heavens Wide, Hail, Gladdening Light, Let All Mortal Flesh, There is No Rose Of Such Virtue, Benedictus, Carols & Lullabies: Christmas In The Southwest, All This Night, In Terra Pax, Cherubim Song, Rejoice, Rejoice This Happy Morn, What Sweeter Music, Gloria In Excelsis Deo, Here's A Pretty Little Baby!, Laudate Dominum (Une Cantate De Noel), Angels' Dance, At The Manger: Carols For Choirs, Night Of Silence / Silent Night, O Little Town Of Bethlehem, O Day Full Of Grace, The Spirit Of The Lord, Once In Royal David's City, Nune Dimittis

Review: "Great Hymns of Faith" marks the first time the ensemble has produced an entire recording of hymns. Traditional and new songs of faith include "A Mighty Fortress", "Children of the Heavenly Father", "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross", "Great Is Thy Faithfulness", "Here I Am Lord", as well as F. Melius Christiansen's settings of "Praise to the Lord", and "Beautiful Savior". The selections are performed here with the rich tonalities and emotional impact we've come to expect from the internationally acclaimed St. Olaf Choir.

Songlist: Holy God We Praise Thy Name, Great Is Thy Faithfulness, Praise to The Lord, Rise Up, O Men of God, A Mighty Fortress Is Our God, Children of the Heavenly Father, We Praise You. O God, From Heaven Above, O Day Full of Grace, Thy Little Ones, Dear Lord, Beautiful Savior, Blessed Assurance, Abide With Me, What a Friend We Have In Jesus, When I Survey the Wondrous Cross, Let Us Talents And Tongues Employ, Praise His Holy Name, Here I Am, Lord, Love Divine, All Loves Excelling

Review: The St. Olaf Choir has a long standing reputation of being one of the best college choirs in the country. Great Hymns of Faith II maintains the group's high standards of music making. This recording is a follow up to their immensely popular CD, Great Hymns of Faith, which has sold 270,000 copies. An assortment of some of the best loved hymns, this will surely be a favorite too. Led by Anton Armstrong, the choir sings familiar tunes such as "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," arranged by John Ferguson, "My Faith Looks Up To Thee," arranged by Lowell Mason and "This Little Light of Mine," arranged by Moses Hogan, as well as many arrangements by founder F.M. Christiansen. This CD also includes very informative notes on the meanings and original sources for the hymns. An excellent recording!

Songlist: All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name, How Can I Keep from Singin, I Was There to Heads, Lift Up Your Heads, In the Bleak Midwinter, Hope for Resolution, The Hills Are bare at Bethlehem, My Faith Looks Up to Thee, When Peace Like a River (It Is Well With My Soul), Lamb of God, The Church's One Foundation, The King of Love My Shepherd Is, Holy, Holy, Holy, Jesus Loves Me, Amazing Grace, This Little Light of Mine, Go, My Children

Review: This recording of the St. Olaf Choir conducted by Dr. Anton Armstrong entitled Hallelujah! We Sing Your Praises! features many highlights of the choir's recent touring repertoire. These choral settings reflect the increasing musical diversity that has become a hallmark of the ensemble.

Songlist: Cantate Domino, Set Me As a Seal, Keep Your Lamps, Angels' Carol, Alleluia, A La Nanita, Beautiful Savior, Lord, Thee I Love, I Was Glad When They Said Unto Me, Singabahambayo, Crucifixus, Ah, Holy Jesus, Kyrieleis, What Wondrous Love, Haleluya! Pelo Tsa Rona

Review: The St. Olaf Choir was formed in 1911 by Dr. F Melius Christiansen, a Norwegian immigrant. So began a tradition of a cappella choral sacred music that remains strong and vital today. 23 pieces, such songs as Edward Elgar's "Adagio," Christiansen's "Light Everlasting," and "The Song Of Peace," Bartholdi's "There Shall Be A Star," Paulus' "Pilgrim's Hymn," Daniel Gawthrop's "Mary Speaks," Paul Lohman's "What Child," our friend Moses Hogan's arrangement of "This Little Light of Mine," Williams' "Dona Nobis Pacem," Hovland's "Stay With Us" and "Beautiful Savior." The music is that of angels, and the focus of this wonderful CD is what the holiday is all about, the birth of Christ. Excellent!

Songlist: Adagio (Enigma Variations), Light Everlasting, Keep Your Lamps, There Shall A Star, Lost in the Night, Pilgrim's Hymn, Adam Lay Ybounden, All This Night, Mary Speaks, Gloria, What Child, Midnight Clear, Come to the Cradle, The Song of Peace, The Little Light of Mine, Oh, How Joyfully, Pat-A-Pan, Carols for Choir and Orchestra, O Day Full of Grace, Dona Nobis Pacem, Narration, Stay With Us, Beautiful Savior

Review: Celebrating the 20th anniversary of their founding in 1986 as a co-ed a cappella rock and pop group from the University of Pennsylvania, the Loafers have appeared over the years on a number of excellent compilations of the best of collegiate a cappella; and on their own CDs, such as 1997's "Diesel," 1998's "Ride!," 2000's "On the Floor," 2002's "Stealing Time" and 2004's "Barely Legal." "Quicksand" has 14 rich, beautifully-arranged covers; a pair by Snow Patrol, "Chocolate" and "Run;" Maya Varthi has a wonderful lead on Aimee Mann's "Humpty Dumpty," and there's a pair of hot covers of Kelly Clarkson's "Because of You" and "Addicted," again featuring Varthi. Beck's "Girl," Chantal Kreviazuk's "Time" and Sia's "Breathe Me" are other favorites. The Loafers have a full, rich, confident sound with some of the best soloists we've heard at the collegiate level. Treat yourself to "Quicksand" and fall in love with the '05-'06 Penny Loafers!

Songlist: Requiem, Kyrie, Dies Irae, Tuba Mirum, Rex Tremendae, Recordare, Confutatis, Lacrimosa, Domine Jesu, Hostias, Sanctus, Benedictus, Agnus Dei, Lux Aeterna, Overture, Introit, Dies Irae, Offertorium, Sanctus, Agnus Dei Positude

Review: The St. Olaf Choir was founded by F. Melius Christiansen in 1911 who had come to St. Olaf College in 1903 to organize the music department. It was he who fostered the tradition of a cappella sacred music. Now Anton Armstrong is the fourth conductor in the history of the choir who adds his interest in the Western European choral music and both U.S. and global folk music into the repertorial mix of this historic choir. Thus we'll find folk songs, Bach, Rachmaninoff, and compositions of Kenneth Jennings who was the choir's third director. You will share sacred music from a variety of countries in a whole host of musical settings, from pure a cappella to selections accompanied by solo piano, organ, or viola. Lovely!

Songlist: God is Here, Fairest Lord Jesus, Der Geist hilft unsrerSchwachheit auf, Bogoroditse Devo, Our Father, Noel: Christmas Eve, The Lord is an Evelasting God, Stabat Mater, Before I Go My Way, Daemon Irrepit Callidus, Water Night, Yom Seh Le-Yisrael, Take My Hand, Precious Lord, My Soul's Been Anchored in the Lord

Review: Out of Darkness Let Me Shine is the 75th anniversary recording of the Christmas at St. Olaf festival. This program features the many combined choirs and orchestra of this legendary musical institution. Selections include many hymns set by the music school founder F. M. Christiansen (This Night; Praise to the Lord; Beautiful Savior) and his son and successor Olaf (Guiding Star Carol; Now is Born Emmanuel) and pieces by George F. Handel (And the Glory of the Lord from Messiah)and Randall Thompson (Walk as Children of Light). This CD is full of a variety which is sure to have something for everyone.

Songlist: This Night, In the Beginning, Appalachian Spring (excerpt), O Come, All Ye Faithful, And the Glory of the Lord from "Messaih", O Magnum Mysterium, Ding-Dong Merrily On High, Glorify the Lord With Me, Good Christian Friends, Rejoice, O Gladsome Light, Sing A New Noel, Danse Vllageoise from "Suite Pastorale", Today There Is Ringing, Guiding Star Carol, Lullaby on CHristmas Eve, Now Is Born Emmanuel, Angels from the Realms of Glory, Alleluia from "Brazilian Psalm", Sanctus from "Missa Brevis", The Godly Stranger, Walk As Children of the Light, Praise To the Lord, Psalm 150 (excerpt), Rise, Shine, You People, Beautiful Savior

Review: Recorded on the campus of St. Olaf College in Boe Memorial Chapel between 2001 and 2006 this recording presents a great selection of material from this top a cappella choir. Whitacre's "A Boy and a Girl" is a particular delight.

Songlist: Jachzet, dem Herrn, alle Welt, When David Heard, In Slumber, Peaceful Slumber, Misa Brevis in B-flat Major, Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Benedictus, Agnus Dei, Schaffe in min, Gott, Mass for Double Choir Sanctus, Mass for Double Choir Agnus, In Remembrance, Sing Me to Heaven, Be Tho a Smooth Way, Amor de mi alma, A Boy and a Girl, O My Love Is Like A Red, Red Rose, If Music Be the Food of Love, Gospel Mass, Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Acclamation, Sanctus, Agnus Dei, John the Revelator

Review: William Levi Dawson, born in 1899, was educated at Tuskegee Institute, the Horner Institute of Fine Arts, and the American Conservatory, and wrote his own "Dawson's Negro Folk Symphony" in 1934. He began publishing and recording his arrangements of traditional African-American spirituals in 1955, lovingly recorded here by the acclaimed St. Olaf Choir with Marvis Martin, soprano. Included are "Ain'-a That Good News," "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot," "Soon Ah Will Be Done," "In His Care-O," "Hail Mary," "Mary Had A Baby," "Behold The Star," "There Is A Balm In Gilead," "Ev'ry Time I Feel The Spirit," "Steal Away" and "Ezekiel Saw de Wheel." All a cappella, nice liner notes, great music!

Songlist: Ain' -A That Good News!, Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, Soon Ah Will Be Done, In His Care-O, Hail Mary, Mary Had A Baby, Behold The Star, There Is A Balm In Gilead, Ev'ry Time I Feel the Spirit, Steal Away, Ezekiel Saw De Wheel

Review:

Songlist: The Hills are Bare At Bethlehem, Epilogue: The Flower, Welcome All Wonders, What Wonderous Love, Let All Mortal Flesh, Alleluia, Make A Joyful Noise, Ave Maria, Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming, In Thee Is Gladness, Joy to the World, O Holy Child, Candlelight Carol, Make We Merry On This Fest, Bergamasea, Midnight Clear, Carols For the Choirs, Lullaby on Christmas Eve, A Spotless Rose, African Noel, And God Said: One Day Shall Dawn, Recessional: Love Divine, All Love Excelling, Beautiful Savior

Review: Anton Armstrong conducts the St. Olaf Choir in 14 sacred and traditional Christian songs: Robert Stone's "The Lord's Prayer," Palestrina's "Exsultate Deo," Juan de Lienas' "Coenantibus Autem Illis," Ned Rorem's "Praise The Lord, O My Soul, Roberto Caamano's "Dilexi, Quoniam Exaudiet Dominus," Robert A. Harris' "Canticle: The Hungry Angels," "Lord Of The Dance," Steven Leek's "Ngana (Songs of Passage), "Three Scottish Folk Songs," "Halle, Halle, Halle," Allen Pote's "The Lord Is My Shepherd" and Byron J. Smith's "Worthy To Be Praised." Extensive liner notes with all the words. All a cappella, and of the highest quality, as we've come to expect from the St. Olaf Choir!

Songlist: The Lord's Prayer, Exsultate Deo, Coenantibus Autem Illis, Praise The Lord, O My Soul, Dilexi, Quoniam Wxaudiet Dominus, Canticle: The Hungry Angels, Lord Of The Dance, Ngana (Songs Of passage), Three Scottish Folk Songs, O Whistle And I'll Come To Ye, My Love's In Germany, I'll Ay Call In By Yon Town, Halle, Halle, Halle, The Lord Is My Shepard, Worthy To Be Praised

Review: "Child of Light" is a 2 CD set recorded at the 93rd Annual St. Olaf Christmas Festival, performed in December of 2004 at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, and it includes the Chapel Choir, Manitou Singers, St. Olaf Cantorei, St. Olaf Choir, St. Olaf Orchestra, and Viking Chorus, performing as individual groups and as a massed ensemble. The CDs included narration and instrumental works, but the focus is on the voices and the beautiful traditional and original Christmas music. We particularly liked Graeme Morton's "In The Spendor" and "A Spotless Rose," Olaf Christiansen's "Light Everlasting," Alexandre Gretchaninoff's "Our Father" and "Only Begotten Son," John Rutter's "Candlelight Carol," Steven Amundson's "Angels' Dance," traditional hymns "Come Thou Long Expected Jesus," Handl's "For Unto Us A Child Is Born," "Lo, How A Rose," "I Saw Three Ships," "O Little Town of Bethlehem" and "Beautiful Savior" by F. Melius Christiansen, founder of the music program and the event in 1912. 32 cuts, many symphonically accompanied. Powerful, beautiful, triumphant music from one of the oldest and finest Christmas music festivals in America.

Songlist: Adagio (Enigma Variations), In The Splendor, Light Everlasting, Narration, Come Thou Long Expected Jesus, For unto us a Child Is Born, A Spotless Rose, Psalm 36, O nata lux De Lumine, Our Father, All My heart This Night Rejoices, Lo, How a Rose, Gospel, Joy To The World, All This Night, Only Only Begotten Son, The Three Kings, I Saw Three Ships, Candlelight Carol, O Little Town of Bethelehem, In The Bleak Midwinter, True Light, Angels' Dance, Carols From Scandinavia, Jeg Er Sa Glad, O Day Full of Grace, Child of Light, Narration, Lord of Light, Narration, Nunc Dimittis, Beautiful Savior

Review: This is a 2-CD set of one of the largest and most magnificent Christmas events, the 95th annual St. Olaf Christmas Festival at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN, featuring the St. Olaf Choir, St. Olaf Orchestra, St. Olaf Cantorei, Manitou Singers, Chapel Choir and Viking Chorus, performing both as individual groups and a massed ensemble. In reviews of previous festivals, we often wondered if anything had to be left on the cutting room floor, but with this 2-CD set removes all such thoughts. John Steiner's "God So Loved the World," Caroline Jennings' "Climb to the Top of the Highest Mountain," "Christ is Alive," Founder F. Melius Christiansen's "Lost in the Night," John Ferguson's "Isaiah's Voice" and "Mary's Story and The Magnificat," Paul Webber's "Arise, Shine," Rosephayne Powell's "The Word Was God," Miles Lane's "All Hail the Power," Benjamin Britten's "The Spirit of the Lord"... these beautiful songs are interspersed with narration about the story of Christmas. If you have heard one or more of these collections, you will know how wonderful and inspiring they are. If you haven't, prepare yourself for a sumptuous Christmas treat!

Songlist: Lo, How A Rose e'er Blooming, God So Loved The World, Climb To The Top Of The Highest Mountain, Christ Is Alive, Christus Paradox, Lost In The Night, Isaiah's Voice, A Spotless Rose, Mary's Story And The Magnificat, The Road Ahead, Arise Shine, And The Glory Of The Lord, Joy To The World, The Word Was God, Karin Boye's Evening Pyayer, Out Of Your Sleep Arise, Gloria, The Godly Stranger, Go Where I Send Thee, O How Beautiful The Sky, Pat-A-Pan, Betelehemu, Go Tell It On The Mountain, Praise To The Lord, The Spirit Of The Lord, All Hail The Power, Beautiful Savior

Review: This collection showcases five of Undine Smith Moore's spirituals edited by Anton Armstrong and includes an instructional forward written for this newly-engraved edition.

Songlist: I Believe This Is Jesus, I'm Going Home, I Will Trust in the Lord, Oh, That Bleeding Lamb, We Shall Walk through the Valley