October 30, 2008

Viking Chorus - Repertoire for Men's Voices

Dr. Christopher Aspaas, assistant professor of choral/vocal music at Northfield, MN's St. Olaf College directs the Viking Chorus, a group of more than 80 first-year student men who have been organized to sing the highest quality literature. Their repertoire includes motets, cantata movements and anthems, contemporary choral pieces, spirituals, folksongs, and music traditionally associated with men's singing groups. There are 17 songs here, some favorites are the Moses Hogan spiritual "Plenty Good Room," the African song "One by One," from "Rhythm of the Pridelands," "The Water is Wide/Blow Ye Winds" medley, the profound "This is My Song" by Jean Sibelius, the rhythmic gem (with non-vocal percussion) "Betelehemu," the powerful spiritual "Rainbow Round My Shoulder," Ludovico Viadana's "Exsultate Justi," Franz Biebl's "Ave Maria," Eric Sayre's "Agnus Dei," and the traditional songs "Danny Boy," "Byker Hill," "Loch Lomond" and "Shine on Me." There is some light accompaniment (such as organ, piano and percussion). "Repertoire" is a strong collection, sung with a masculine, soulful spirit that touches and moves us! 8960 CD 15.95

Posted by acapnews at 12:01 AM

October 11, 2008

Cantus - While You Are Alive

"While You Are Alive" is an outstanding collection of music, a worthy contribution to the library of classical male choral repertoire. The album celebrates life through a gorgeous marriage of poetry and music. Included a new commission from Steven Sametz, who sets the poetry of Walt Whitman, a choral favorite from Eric Whitacre, a new nine-part work for Cantus by Edie Hill, a world premiere recording by Timothy C. Takach, a delightful piece by Veljo Tormis featuring SPCO flutist Julia Bograd-Kogan, and "The Turning," the musical result of composer Maura Bosch’s work with Cantus, The American Composer’s Forum and the Tubman Family Alliance. 8946 CD 17.95
Listen to "I Am He That Aches"

Posted by acapnews at 12:44 AM

October 1, 2008

Conspirare - Threshold of Night

In the 2007 season, Conspirare captivated audiences with concerts of works by the phenomenally gifted (and award-winning) young composer Tarik O'Regan. Now the Grammy-nominated choral ensemble is set to captivate audiences across the globe with a recording of those same works by O'Regan. This is a recording worthy of attention. A single listen confirms the impression from last year's concerts that this choir and composer are exquisitely matched. Conductor Craig Hella Johnson and his company of voices have the skill to voice all the colors in O'Regan's richly varied musical palette: the densely clustered voices that pull at one another in tense dissonance here and resolve in sumptuous harmonies there, the rhythms that rocket a song along or ease it into a blissful peace. Moreover, they have a feel for the material, for its drama and intensity and the deep spiritual dimension at its foundation. O’Regan, a 30-year-old British composer now living in New York, crafts his own truly original style. Yes, this music is essentially tonal, but hardly could you characterize it as traditionally melodic. O’Regan’s music layers voices with brilliant intricacy. Voices cluster seamlessly in full choir, then emerge in delicate solos. He deftly combines airy melodies with only short moments of subtle dissonance to a powerful effect. 8932 SACD 19.95

Posted by acapnews at 12:04 AM