Review: In June of 2013, the St. Olaf Choir embarked on a centennial tour that retraced the steps of the ensemble's 1913 journey to Norway. 100 Years: The St. Olaf Choir in Norway takes viewers on the road with the choir across the best that Norway has to offer. Highlights include a visit to the U.S. ambassador's residence, performing for a royal audience member at the Oslo Konserthus, traveling through the heart of the Norwegian fjord region, homestays in Snasa (birthplace of college founder Bernt Julius Muus), the famed Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim, and other cultural connections between St. Olaf College and Norway. The documentary features many of the pieces performed on the tour, interviews with Conductor Anton Armstrong '78 and students, spectacular views of Norway, and a few surprises. Join the choir as they travel through Norway on this unforgettable journey.

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St. Olaf Choir : Rejoice, Give Thanks, and Sing    

Review: What a milestone! This was the 100th annual Christmas Festival Concert at this venerated institution. This CD is from the PBS television special that broadcasts nationally and has become quite the Holiday tradition in many homes across the country. A magnificent way to get into the festive mood.

Songlist: Adagio "Nimrod" (Enigma Variations), As the Dark Awaits the Dawnz, Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers, Te Deum laudamus, O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, Twas in the Moon of Wintertime, O Day Full of Grace, Deepest Heart, A Hymn of the Nativity, God's Word is Our Great Heritage, O Come, All Ye Faithful, Shepherd's Pipe Carol, Today the Virgin, Infant Holy, This Little Babe, Christ the Apple Tree, The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy, Noel, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, Ring Gladsome Bells, Lullaby on Christmas Eve, Psalm 50 (Movement III), Ring Out, Ye Crystal Spheres, Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart, Stay With Us (Captive and Free), Beautiful Savior

Review: What a milestone! This was the 100th annual Christmas Festival Concert at this venerated institution. This DVD is the PBS television special that broadcasts nationally and has become quite the Holiday tradition in many homes across the country. A magnificent way to get into the festive mood.

Songlist: Adagio "Nimrod" (Enigma Variations), As the Dark Awaits the Dawnz, Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers, Te Deum laudamus, O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, Twas in the Moon of Wintertime, O Day Full of Grace, Deepest Heart, A Hymn of the Nativity, God's Word is Our Great Heritage, O Come, All Ye Faithful, Shepherd's Pipe Carol, Today the Virgin, Infant Holy, This Little Babe, Christ the Apple Tree, The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy, Noel, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, Ring Gladsome Bells, Lullaby on Christmas Eve, Psalm 50 (Movement III), Ring Out, Ye Crystal Spheres, Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart, Stay With Us (Captive and Free), Beautiful Savior

Review: J.S. Bach Mass in B minor conducted by Kenneth Jennings, performed by the St. Olaf Choir and members of the St. Olaf Orchestra. May 26, 1972, St. Olaf College. Soloists: Cora Scholz, Marie Sathrum, Janis Hardy, Lloyd Hanson, Burr McWilliams.

Songlist: Kyrie, Kyrie eleison, Christe eleison, Kyrie eleison, Gloria, Gloria, Et in terra pax, Laudamus te, Gratias agimus tibi, Domine Deus / Qui tollis peccata mundi, Qui sedes ad dexteram Patris, Quoniam tu solus sanctus / Cum Sancto Spiritu, Symbolum Nicenum, Credo, Credo in unum / Deo Patrem omnipotentem, Et in unum Dominum, Et incarnatus est, Crucifixus, Et resurrexit, Et in Spiritum sanctum Dominum, Confiteor / Et expecto, Osanna, Benedictus,, Agnus Dei, et Dona Nobis Pacem, Osanna in excelsis, Benedictus, Osanna in excelsis, Agnus Dei, Dona nobis pacem

Review: Founded at Northfield, MN's St. Olaf College by F. Melius Christiansen, the St. Olaf Christmas Festival, which tells the story of the birth of Christ through music and narration, gets bigger and better every year! It features the St. Olaf Choir, the St. Olaf Orchestra, St. Olaf Cantorei, St. Olaf Chapel Choir, the Manitou Singers and the Viking Chorus; performing both as individual groups and as a massed ensemble. "A Child, A Son, The Prince of Peace" is a two-CD set, with 13 beautiful and moving cuts on Disc One, and 18 on Disc Two. Gorgeous, inspiring and magnificent, from beginning to end!

Songlist: Messiah, Prince of Peace, Lo, How a Rose,, Speak a Word to Us, Wake, Awake, for Night Is Flying, Isaiah's Voice, Prepare the Way, What Child, Carol of the Drum, See, Amid the Winter Snow, Chichester Psalms, O Come, All Ye Faithful, Ring Out, Wild Bells, To Us a Child Is Born, Hodie Christus natus est, Past Three A Clock, Sing We Now of Christmas, In Silent Night, Here's a Pretty Little Baby!, Shepherd's Jubilee, Angels We Have Heard on High, At the Manger: Carols for Choirs, Silent Night, Dona nobis pacem, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, Where Shepherds Lately Knelt, Beautiful Savior

Review: One of the most enduring musical Christmas traditions, Northfield, Minnesota's St. Olaf College celebrated its 97th Annual St. Olaf Christmas Festival in December of 2008. This massive event features the St. Olaf Choir, St. Olaf Cantorei, Manitou Singers, St. Olaf Chapel Choir and Viking Chorus, performing both as individual groups and as a massed ensemble with the St. Olaf Orchestra. The program is narrated, telling the story of the birth of Christ, "illustrated" by carols, spirituals, classical Christian pieces and original songs such as the final cut, "Beautiful Savior," written by the founder of the Festival and St. Olaf's musical program, F. Melius Christiansen. Presenting this 32-part event in its entirety requires two CDs, beginning with Steven Amundson's "The Gift," and it's hard to pick favorites. Certainly the 6-part "Carols from Around the World" medley needs to be included, the a cappella "How Great Are Thy Wonders," Z. Randall Stroope's accompanied "There Is No Rose," the Basque Carol "The Angel Gabriel," the Irish traditional "Canticle of the Turning," Jester Hairston's "Mary's Little Boy Child," Gian Carl Menotti's "Shepherd's Dance," and the Danish tune "Bright and Glorious is the Sky." A tremendous event, filled with joyous singing and the telling of a wonderful story. Entensive liner notes give us the lyrics to all songs, and details about the music and St. Olaf College.

Songlist: The Gift, Keep Your Lamps, Narration, A New Magnificat, O Come, O Come Emmanuel, Awake The Harp (The Creation), How Great Are Thy Wonders, There Is No Rose, Magnificat "Collegium Regale", Welcome, All Wonders, The Angel Gabriel, Canticle of the Turning (stanzas 1-2), Gospel Reading, Canticle of the Turning (stanzas 3-4), Joy to The World, Gloria, Dona Nobis Pacem, Alleluya, A New Work Is Come On Hand, What Wonderous Love, Mary's Little Boy Chile, Noel, Sanctus (Mass), Shepherd's Dance, Bright and Glorious Is the Sky, Carols From Around the World, Joy to the World, O Day Full of Grace, In Endless Morn of Light, Once in Royal David's City, Nunc Dimittis, and more

Review: Enjoy The St. Olaf Choir's stunning and innovative program from its 1997 concert tour of New Zealand and Australia.

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Review: On this 2 disc set of digitally remastered recordings one hears the legendary sounds of the St. Olaf Choir under the direction of F. Melius Christansen with famed soloist Gertrude Boe Overby.

Songlist: O Savior, Throw the Heavens Wide, O Sacred Head, Come, Guest Divine, When Curtained Darkness Falls, The Spires, O Sing Unto Him, Lullaby on Christmas Eve, Doxology (Psalm 50, 3rd Movement), Beautiful Savior, Sing Ye to the Lord (1st movement), Hvad Est Du Dog Skjon, Cherubim Song, Praise to the Lord, Der Herr ist mein Hirte (Psalm 23), The Three Kings, Beauty in Humility, Restoration, Tenebrae Factae Sunt, Motet for Advent, O How Shall I Receive Thee, Lord, Hosanna, Benedictus, As a Flower of the Field, Lost in the Night, Wake, Awake

Review: Those familiar with the works of St. Olaf's know that the choir is part of a long tradition of Scandinavian chorale singing, which often features the compositions and arrangements of the venerated F. Melius Christiansen. One of his arrangements, "O Day Full of Grace," is included here, as well as a seventeenth century spiritual, "O Savior, Throw the Heavens Wide"; a Greek vespers (evening prayer service) hymn, "Hail, Gladdening Light," and various other liturgies. There is piano accompaniment on "Gloria in excelsis Deo" and the spiritual, "Here's a Pretty Little Baby." The purity of the tones and blend is all the more amazing, as the recording was done live. Elegant and pristine.

Songlist: O Savior, Throw The Heavens Wide, Hail, Gladdening Light, Let All Mortal Flesh, There is No Rose Of Such Virtue, Benedictus, Carols & Lullabies: Christmas In The Southwest, All This Night, In Terra Pax, Cherubim Song, Rejoice, Rejoice This Happy Morn, What Sweeter Music, Gloria In Excelsis Deo, Here's A Pretty Little Baby!, Laudate Dominum (Une Cantate De Noel), Angels' Dance, At The Manger: Carols For Choirs, Night Of Silence / Silent Night, O Little Town Of Bethlehem, O Day Full Of Grace, The Spirit Of The Lord, Once In Royal David's City, Nune Dimittis

Review: "Great Hymns of Faith" marks the first time the ensemble has produced an entire recording of hymns. Traditional and new songs of faith include "A Mighty Fortress", "Children of the Heavenly Father", "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross", "Great Is Thy Faithfulness", "Here I Am Lord", as well as F. Melius Christiansen's settings of "Praise to the Lord", and "Beautiful Savior". The selections are performed here with the rich tonalities and emotional impact we've come to expect from the internationally acclaimed St. Olaf Choir.

Songlist: Holy God We Praise Thy Name, Great Is Thy Faithfulness, Praise to The Lord, Rise Up, O Men of God, A Mighty Fortress Is Our God, Children of the Heavenly Father, We Praise You. O God, From Heaven Above, O Day Full of Grace, Thy Little Ones, Dear Lord, Beautiful Savior, Blessed Assurance, Abide With Me, What a Friend We Have In Jesus, When I Survey the Wondrous Cross, Let Us Talents And Tongues Employ, Praise His Holy Name, Here I Am, Lord, Love Divine, All Loves Excelling

Review: The St. Olaf Choir was founded by F. Melius Christiansen in 1911 who had come to St. Olaf College in 1903 to organize the music department. It was he who fostered the tradition of a cappella sacred music. Now Anton Armstrong is the fourth conductor in the history of the choir who adds his interest in the Western European choral music and both U.S. and global folk music into the repertorial mix of this historic choir. Thus we'll find folk songs, Bach, Rachmaninoff, and compositions of Kenneth Jennings who was the choir's third director. You will share sacred music from a variety of countries in a whole host of musical settings, from pure a cappella to selections accompanied by solo piano, organ, or viola. Lovely!

Songlist: God is Here, Fairest Lord Jesus, Der Geist hilft unsrerSchwachheit auf, Bogoroditse Devo, Our Father, Noel: Christmas Eve, The Lord is an Evelasting God, Stabat Mater, Before I Go My Way, Daemon Irrepit Callidus, Water Night, Yom Seh Le-Yisrael, Take My Hand, Precious Lord, My Soul's Been Anchored in the Lord

Review: Out of Darkness Let Me Shine is the 75th anniversary recording of the Christmas at St. Olaf festival. This program features the many combined choirs and orchestra of this legendary musical institution. Selections include many hymns set by the music school founder F. M. Christiansen (This Night; Praise to the Lord; Beautiful Savior) and his son and successor Olaf (Guiding Star Carol; Now is Born Emmanuel) and pieces by George F. Handel (And the Glory of the Lord from Messiah)and Randall Thompson (Walk as Children of Light). This CD is full of a variety which is sure to have something for everyone.

Songlist: This Night, In the Beginning, Appalachian Spring (excerpt), O Come, All Ye Faithful, And the Glory of the Lord from "Messaih", O Magnum Mysterium, Ding-Dong Merrily On High, Glorify the Lord With Me, Good Christian Friends, Rejoice, O Gladsome Light, Sing A New Noel, Danse Vllageoise from "Suite Pastorale", Today There Is Ringing, Guiding Star Carol, Lullaby on CHristmas Eve, Now Is Born Emmanuel, Angels from the Realms of Glory, Alleluia from "Brazilian Psalm", Sanctus from "Missa Brevis", The Godly Stranger, Walk As Children of the Light, Praise To the Lord, Psalm 150 (excerpt), Rise, Shine, You People, Beautiful Savior

Review: Recorded on the campus of St. Olaf College in Boe Memorial Chapel between 2001 and 2006 this recording presents a great selection of material from this top a cappella choir. Whitacre's "A Boy and a Girl" is a particular delight.

Songlist: Jachzet, dem Herrn, alle Welt, When David Heard, In Slumber, Peaceful Slumber, Misa Brevis in B-flat Major, Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Benedictus, Agnus Dei, Schaffe in min, Gott, Mass for Double Choir Sanctus, Mass for Double Choir Agnus, In Remembrance, Sing Me to Heaven, Be Tho a Smooth Way, Amor de mi alma, A Boy and a Girl, O My Love Is Like A Red, Red Rose, If Music Be the Food of Love, Gospel Mass, Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Acclamation, Sanctus, Agnus Dei, John the Revelator

Review: William Levi Dawson, born in 1899, was educated at Tuskegee Institute, the Horner Institute of Fine Arts, and the American Conservatory, and wrote his own "Dawson's Negro Folk Symphony" in 1934. He began publishing and recording his arrangements of traditional African-American spirituals in 1955, lovingly recorded here by the acclaimed St. Olaf Choir with Marvis Martin, soprano. Included are "Ain'-a That Good News," "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot," "Soon Ah Will Be Done," "In His Care-O," "Hail Mary," "Mary Had A Baby," "Behold The Star," "There Is A Balm In Gilead," "Ev'ry Time I Feel The Spirit," "Steal Away" and "Ezekiel Saw de Wheel." All a cappella, nice liner notes, great music!

Songlist: Ain' -A That Good News!, Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, Soon Ah Will Be Done, In His Care-O, Hail Mary, Mary Had A Baby, Behold The Star, There Is A Balm In Gilead, Ev'ry Time I Feel the Spirit, Steal Away, Ezekiel Saw De Wheel

Review: Anton Armstrong conducts the St. Olaf Choir in 14 sacred and traditional Christian songs: Robert Stone's "The Lord's Prayer," Palestrina's "Exsultate Deo," Juan de Lienas' "Coenantibus Autem Illis," Ned Rorem's "Praise The Lord, O My Soul, Roberto Caamano's "Dilexi, Quoniam Exaudiet Dominus," Robert A. Harris' "Canticle: The Hungry Angels," "Lord Of The Dance," Steven Leek's "Ngana (Songs of Passage), "Three Scottish Folk Songs," "Halle, Halle, Halle," Allen Pote's "The Lord Is My Shepherd" and Byron J. Smith's "Worthy To Be Praised." Extensive liner notes with all the words. All a cappella, and of the highest quality, as we've come to expect from the St. Olaf Choir!

Songlist: The Lord's Prayer, Exsultate Deo, Coenantibus Autem Illis, Praise The Lord, O My Soul, Dilexi, Quoniam Wxaudiet Dominus, Canticle: The Hungry Angels, Lord Of The Dance, Ngana (Songs Of passage), Three Scottish Folk Songs, O Whistle And I'll Come To Ye, My Love's In Germany, I'll Ay Call In By Yon Town, Halle, Halle, Halle, The Lord Is My Shepard, Worthy To Be Praised

Review: The St. Olaf Choir was formed in 1911 by Dr. F Melius Christiansen, a Norwegian immigrant. So began a tradition of a cappella choral singing that continues under the present direction of Anton Armstrong, himself an alumnus of St. Olaf College. Armstrong has incorporated compositions from other cultures, which comprise a good portion of this CD's content. The Latvian "Ai, Nama Mamina," South-African "Freedom Is Coming" and Chinese Folk Song, "Peng You," among others, offer fresh contrast. Several tracks have unassuming accompaniment, such as the flute on "Water Under Snow Is Weary." The arrangements are conventional in approach and seek to calm, rather than excite. The overall vocal timbre, while grounded in the Western classical tradition, retains a natural unstudied quality.

Songlist: My Song In The Night, Freedom Is Coming, P'eng You, This Christmastide (Jesse's Carol), Jeg Er Sa Glad Hver Julekveld, The Friendly Beasts, Angel's Carol, Carol Of the Bells, Water Under Snow Is Weary, Ai, Nama Mamina, O Yule Full Of Gladness, O Little Town Of Bethlehem, Star In The East: A Suite Of Carols, I Believe This Is Jesus, A La Nanita, El Nino, Go Where I Send Thee

Review: This is a 2-CD set of one of the largest and most magnificent Christmas events, the 95th annual St. Olaf Christmas Festival at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN, featuring the St. Olaf Choir, St. Olaf Orchestra, St. Olaf Cantorei, Manitou Singers, Chapel Choir and Viking Chorus, performing both as individual groups and a massed ensemble. In reviews of previous festivals, we often wondered if anything had to be left on the cutting room floor, but with this 2-CD set removes all such thoughts. John Steiner's "God So Loved the World," Caroline Jennings' "Climb to the Top of the Highest Mountain," "Christ is Alive," Founder F. Melius Christiansen's "Lost in the Night," John Ferguson's "Isaiah's Voice" and "Mary's Story and The Magnificat," Paul Webber's "Arise, Shine," Rosephayne Powell's "The Word Was God," Miles Lane's "All Hail the Power," Benjamin Britten's "The Spirit of the Lord"... these beautiful songs are interspersed with narration about the story of Christmas. If you have heard one or more of these collections, you will know how wonderful and inspiring they are. If you haven't, prepare yourself for a sumptuous Christmas treat!

Songlist: Lo, How A Rose e'er Blooming, God So Loved The World, Climb To The Top Of The Highest Mountain, Christ Is Alive, Christus Paradox, Lost In The Night, Isaiah's Voice, A Spotless Rose, Mary's Story And The Magnificat, The Road Ahead, Arise Shine, And The Glory Of The Lord, Joy To The World, The Word Was God, Karin Boye's Evening Pyayer, Out Of Your Sleep Arise, Gloria, The Godly Stranger, Go Where I Send Thee, O How Beautiful The Sky, Pat-A-Pan, Betelehemu, Go Tell It On The Mountain, Praise To The Lord, The Spirit Of The Lord, All Hail The Power, Beautiful Savior

Review: A Christmas Tradition at St. Olaf College in Northville, MN, since it was begun in 1912 by the late F. Melius Christianson, the St. Olaf Christmas Festival is an expression of the school's Christian conviction and rich musical heritage. Included are the St. Olaf Choir, chapel Choir and the Viking Chorus, the Campus Choir, the Manitou Singers, the St. Olaf College Orchestra and the St. Olaf Handbell Ensemble. Thousands of people attend the concerts year after year, and they are treated to a magnificent, dramatic retelling of the Christmas story in song. All orchestrally accompanied, there are 21 songs, beginning with the magical "Fantasia on Greensleeves" and continuing from the sacred, like "Vox Dicentis: Clama" and "Hodie, Christus Natus Est," to familiar carols, "Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming?," the title tune and "I Saw Three Ships," to the eclectic, lesser-known Christian music, "And God Said: The Day Shall Dawn" and "Salvation Is Created." "What Child Is This" is a wonderful collection of choral and orchestral talent, marvelous music arranged and directed by the finest, culminating in a huge, multi-faceted pageant of celebration and praise!

Songlist: Fantasia On Greensleeves, Lift Up Your Heads, Ruler Of Heaven, Vox Dicentis: Clama, Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming?, Softly, Softly Fell The Snow, Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day, Salvation Is Created, Hodie, Christus Natus Est, Oh, Come, All Ye Faithful, From Heaven Winging, Shepherds, Shake Off Your Drowsy Sleep, From Heaven Above, Dance Of The Shepherds, What Child Is This?, Carols For The Choirs, Praise The Lord, O My Soul, I Saw Three Ships, O Day Full Of Grace, And God Said: The Day Shall Dawn, All Hail The Power Of Jesus' Name

Review: The St. Olaf Choir was formed in 1911 by Dr. F Melius Christiansen, a Norwegian immigrant. So began a tradition of a cappella choral sacred music that remains strong and vital today. 23 pieces, such songs as Edward Elgar's "Adagio," Christiansen's "Light Everlasting," and "The Song Of Peace," Bartholdi's "There Shall Be A Star," Paulus' "Pilgrim's Hymn," Daniel Gawthrop's "Mary Speaks," Paul Lohman's "What Child," our friend Moses Hogan's arrangement of "This Little Light of Mine," Williams' "Dona Nobis Pacem," Hovland's "Stay With Us" and "Beautiful Savior." The music is that of angels, and the focus of this wonderful CD is what the holiday is all about, the birth of Christ. Excellent!

Songlist: Adagio (Enigma Variations) (Edward Elgar), Light Everlasting (Olaf C. Christiansen), Keep Your Lamps (arr. Andre Thomas), There Shall A Star (Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy), Lost in the Night (arr. Kyle Haugen), Pilgrim's Hymn (Stephen Paulus), Adam Lay Ybounden (Richard Webster), All This Night (Robert Scholz), Mary Speaks (Daniel Gawthrop), Gloria (Jeffrey Rickard), What Child (Paul Lohman), Midnight Clear (Russell Schultz-Widmar, arr. Robert Scholz), Come to the Cradle (Cathy and Laura Conger, arr. Robert Scholz), The Song of Peace (Olaf C. Christiansen), The Little Light of Mine (arr. Moses Hogan), Oh, How Joyfully (Andrew Carter), Pat-A-Pan (Hershy Kay), Carols for Choir and Orchestra (arr. John Ferguson), O Day Full of Grace (Christoph E. F. Weyse, arr. F. Melius Christiansen), Dona Nobis Pacem (Ralph Vaughan Williams), Narration, Stay With Us (Egil Howland), Beautiful Savior (arr. F. Melius Christiansen)