Grant Llewellyn

Review: Boston's Handel and Haydn Society is one of America's leading choral ensembles. Under the direction of recently appointed music director Grant Llewellyn, the Society has expanded its repertoire to encompass a broader range of music, including contemporary works. Their first recording for Avie, "Peace," was one of 2004's best-selling choral CD's appearing for a number of weeks on the Billboard Classical Chart. The Society's newest recording, "All is Bright," celebrates the music of the festive season, combining repertoire from the Baroque era and traditional carols with Christmas works by twentieth century composers including beautiful works by prominent American composers including Ned Rorem, Virgil Thompson, Charles Ives, Jennifer Higdon and Daniel Pinkham. The Beauty of the Society's singing, the uniqueness of the program and the audiophile quality sound give "All is Bright" the same elements that made "Peace" a best-seller with widespread appeal in 2004

Songlist: Hodie Christus Natus Est, There Is No Rose, In Dulci Jubilo, Lo How A Rose E' Er Blooming, The Three Kings, King Herod And The Cock, Make We Joy Now In This Fest, A Spotless Rose, Lux Aurumque, A Babe Is Born, Sir Christmas, Stille Nacht, O Magnum Mysterium, A Christmas Carol, Sweet Music, While All Things Were In Quiet Silence, Coventry Carol, O My Deir Hert, Deck The Hall, Hodie Christus Natus Est, What Cheer?, All this Time

Review: Under the leadership of grant Llewellyn and conductor laureate Christopher Hogwood, the Society, in its 189th season, has maintained its long tradition of musical excellence. Handel and Haydn gave the American premieres of Handel's "Messiah" in 1818, Haydn's "The Creation (1819)," Verdi's "Requiem (1878)," and Bach's "St. Matthew Passion (1889); and the Society won a 2002 Grammy for its recording of Sir John Tavener's "Lamentations and Praises." The 32 mixed-voice Chorus bring us 10 songs on the appropriately named "Peace:" de Victoria's "O magnum mysterium," Randall Thompson's lovely "Alleluia," Rachmaninov's "Blazen muzh, Op.37," Lauridsen's "O magnum mysterium," Samuel Barber's "Agnus Dei," Tavener's "Song for Athene," Schoenberg's "Friede auf Erden Op.13," Gorecki's "Tous Tuus," Frederick Delius' "To be sung of a summer night on the water," and Edward Elgar's "Lux Aeterna" (Nimrod). These are songs of great depth and beauty, as befitting songs sung with the intention of bringing peace to a world desperately in need of it.

Songlist: O Magnum Mysterium, Alleluia, Blazen muzh, Op. 37, O Magnum Mysterium, Agnus Dei, Song for Athene, Friede auf Erden Op. 13, Totus Tuus, To be sung of a summer night on the water, Lux Aeterna ('Nimrod')