Erick Lichte

Review: 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.

Songlist: 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

Review: Cantus is a professional, 12-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.

Songlist: Let Your Voice Be Heard, Dravidian Dithyramb, El Yivneh Hagalil, Nukapianguaq, 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

Review: 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.

Songlist: Veni Creator Spiritus, Cantate Domino, The Pauperum Refugium, O Filii Et Finliae, Alleluia, Amen, The Vagabond, Two Settings 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