February 26, 2011

Minnesota Choral Artists: Mid-Winter Songs - Lauridsen

Since their founding in 2004, The Singers has premiered and commissioned nearly forty new works, debuting pieces by such composers as Stephen Paulus, Eleanor Daly and Craig Carnahan, as well as three composers-in-residence, Abbie Betinis, Jocelyn Hagen and Joshua Shank. Founding Artistic Director and Conductor Matthew Culloton has an impressive resume, including being a member, Music Advisor, Assistant Conductor and Bass Section Leader of the Dale Warland Singers. "Mid-Winter Songs" is a 21-song collection of the works of Morten Lauridsen, including the 5-song "Les Chansons des Roses," "Three Psalms," "Four Madrigals on Renaissance Texts," five "Mid-Winter Songs" and four "Nocturnes," some are piano accompanied. We have always loved Lauridsen, and enjoyed every cut of the album, as well as reading the extensive liner notes, which contain all the lyrics and some very interesting notes by Morten about his music. 6045 CD 15.95

Posted by acapnews at 12:00 AM

February 21, 2011

Peninsula Women's Chorus - Nature Pictures

On this recording, the PWC celebrates a close relationship with prominent Estonian composer, Veljo Tormis. Influenced by his deep conviction that ancient song traditions reflect a close connection to nature, the prolific Tormis gives us the four seasons in 36 miniatures of intense choral imagery in his evocative song cycles, Looduspildid (Nature Pictures). We are proud to present the first American recording of this cycle! This eclectic recording continues the theme with Karl Korte's "Spring", Chen Yi's "Looking at the Sea" and Samuel Barber's "To be Sung on the Water." Also included are Edward Elgar's "The Snow" and Kenneth Leslie's lovely "Cape Breton Lullaby," a PWC favorite. 6095 CD 15.95

Posted by acapnews at 12:00 AM