Dr. Susan McMane

Review: Beginning in 2004 with their desire to record "Anne Frank, A Living Voice," written for Chorissima's 25th Anniversary, "Voices" is the result of their search for work by women writers like Frank, who were longing for change in their situations. Joan Szymko's powerful "Vivos Voco" and "Nada Te Turbe" (with text by St. Teresa of Avila (1515-82), "A Hope Carol," and "Echo," which feature wonderful poems by Christina Rossetti (1830-94), and "I Shall Keep Singing," with text by Emily Dickinson, are fine examples. Libby Larsen's "The Womanly Song of God" and "Sing Me to Heaven," with text by Jane Griner, lead us into the lovely, haunting 7-part "Anne Frank, A Living Voice," which touches and moves us on many levels. "Hebrew Rounds for Peace" is an apt choice for the final tune. Light accompaniment throughout, and extensive, colorful liner notes. "Voices" is another beautiful, powerful, well-chosen collection by Susan McMane's talented San Francisco Girls Chorus.

Songlist: Vivios Voco, A Hope Carol, Echo, Nada Te Turbe, I Shall Keep Singing, The Womanly Song Of God, Sing Me To Heaven, Anne Frank: A Living Voice, Hebrew Rounds For Peace

Review: The music on this two disc set is some of the greatest sacred and secular repertoire ever written for treble voices, selected to showcase the talents of the young members of the San Francisco Girls Chorus. The first disc, "Heaven," contains sacred music both accompanied and a cappella. Two of our favorites are mini-masterworks, Benjamin Britten's lovely "Missa Brevis in D," for voices and organ, and Francis Poulenc's mysterious "Litanies a la vierge noire." Disc II, "Earth," focuses on secular music to capture human qualities such as sorrow, joy, humor and hope. The centerpieces of the disc are three new commissions by Gabriela Lena Frank, Augusta Read Thomas and Dwight Nakamura. Frank's beautiful settings of two Peruvian poems, Thomas' elegant use of E.E. Cummings' poetry and Nakamura's jazzy take on Irving Berlin's "Blue Skies" are all very special. Conductor Susan McMane directs this renowned chorus in 24 beautiful tunes. A wonderfully packaged set with extensive liner notes would make a memorable, timeless holiday gift to your family and to others on your list!

Songlist: Psalm 150, Ave Verum, Missa Brevis In D, Toccata from Suite Pour L'orgue, Glory to God for This Transient Life, Litanies a la virge noire, Ave Maria, Ave Verum Corpus, Ave Maria, Ave Maria, I Dream a World, I Cannot Dance O Lord, The Water of Tyne, Two Mountain Songs, Two E.E. Cummings Songs, I Got Rhythm, National Weather Forcast, Blue Skies, Over the Rainbow