Kenneth Jennings' settings of two Dylan Thomas poems 'Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night,' and And Death Shall Have No Dominion' are both beautiful arrangements. 'Loch Lomond' is a Scottish folk song that dates back to the Jacobite Rebellion. Care has been taken to preserve the authenticity of the language in this arrangement, with the help of a ipa chart in the performance notes of this chart. With an energetic, strong opening and a more lyric, gentle section in the middle, 'Alleluia' provides an overall sense of the joy we experience while praising god. 'Let the Bullgine Tun,' a vigorous, humorous, traditional sea chantey is guaranteed to delight both singers and audiences.

Songlist: Do Not Go Gentle Into The Night, Let the Bullgine Run, Loch Lomond, Alleluia, Amen, And Death Shall Have No Dominion

A unique collection of spirituals and folk songs arranged by the talented ensemble Cantus for male unaccompanied voices. Recommended

Songlist: Danny Boy, Barbara Allen, She Moved Through the Fair, Deep River, Heav'n, Heav'n

For years, public radio listeners around the country have celebrated "Thanksgiving with Cantus" with American Public Media. This fall, Cantus releases a recording of beloved songs celebrating the joy of the holiday. A Harvest Home includes original arrangements of favorite hymns, American folk tunes as well as new compositions by Ysaye Barnwell, Byron Adams and pieces by Edvard Grieg, Felix Mendelssohn and Randall Thompson.

"Fall is the welcoming of Winter, it is a time of winding down and being grateful. Cantus has caught this promise from across the globe and distilled it into a seasonal offering that smells of apples and roast turkey. Please pass the cider..."

Songlist: For the Beauty of the Earth , The Pasture , America the Beautiful, Would You Harbor Me? , My Journey Yours, Come, Ye Thankful People, Come, We Gather Together , Holy Manna, Food, Glorious Food, Tyteberet, Trinklied, Fiddle Tune, Turkey in the Straw, Simple Gifts, How Can I Keep From Singing?, A Thankful Heart, Eventide

The 11 men who form the acclaimed Woodbury, MN-based Cantus bring us another perfectly crafted collection of sacred choral music. "Against" includes Sibelius' "Hymnus," Casals' "O Vos Omnes, Orff's Sunt Lacrimae Rerum, Tormis' Varjele, Jumala, soasta, Josquin's Absalon, fili mi, Sibelius' Sydameni Laulu," Schubert's "Grab und Mond," Jennings' "Two Laments on Dylan Thomas," Madetoja's "De Profundus," Thompson's "Alleluia," Debussy's "Invocation" and Barber's "Heaven-Haven." The CD is beautifully packaged, with a small book of all the lyrics poetically presented. One of the best male choruses in the world brings us a gift of timeless spiritual music-music that takes us to another reality, a place of benediction, praise and worship.

Songlist: Hymnus, O Vos Omnes, Sunt Lacrimae Rerum, Varjele, Jumala, Soasta, Absalon, fili mi, Sydameni laulu, Grab und Mond, Two Laments on Dylan Thomas, De Profundis, Alleluia, Invocation, Heaven-Haven (A Nun Takes the Veil)

Cantus programming at its finest represents a great mix of styles and influences. On their latest release they decided to showcase all this variety on one recording. Included is a new commission from Lee Hoiby paired with a "Lullabye (Goodnight My Angel)" by Billy Joel. They include early 20th century Russian sacred music next to early 21st century American sacred music. They are two show-stoppers - the Smokey Robinson tune "Who's Loving You" and "I Can't Tarry" a rousing African-American spiritual An amusing faux-Finnish piece precedes a semi-theatrical setting of "Casey at the Bat" and the lively programming keeps you listening from beginning to end, just as it does in their acclaimed live concerts.

Songlist: Introit: Benedicta sit Sancta Trinitas, Quatre Petit Prieres de Saint Francois d'Assise, Salvation is Created (spaseniye sodjelal), Ave Dulcissima Mria, Last Letter Home, Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel), Mogamigawa funa uta, Ramakali, Who's Loving You, Pseudo Yoik, Dalvi duoddar luohti, Casey at the Bat, I Can't Tarry

In their newest recording, the men of Cantus bring the sounds of the holidays to you and your family. Including audience favorites "Do You Hear What I Hear," "Carol of the Bells," "Noel Nouvelet," "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," and of course the Franz Biebl "Ave Maria," this collection of songs old and new is full of light and life.

Songlist: Nowell, Nowell! This is the Salutacion, Ta Stara Bozicnz Pejsen, 'Twas in the Moon of Wintertime, Coventry Carol, Noel Nouvelet, Priidite, Pokolonimsa, Carol of the Bells, Pat-a-Drummer, Folkefrelsar, Til Oss Kom, Awed by the Beauty, O Magnum Mysterium, Ave Maria, Do You Hear What I Hear?, Heleluyan, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Cantus does it again and delivers another top knotch recording and shows how this fine male ensemble is developing into a world class act. This well recorded release features Gregorian chant, folksong arrangements, and major Christmas works for male choir, such as Morten Lauridsen's glorious "O Magnum Mysterium" and Franz Biebl's moving "Ave Maria." Also featured are new arrangements by members of the ensemble of familiar holiday songs, as well as newly commissioned Christmas compositions. The song selection ranges from familiar carols such as "O Little Town of Bethlehem," "I Wonder as I Wander," "The Three Kings," "What Child Is This and "Silent Night," to a Welsh lullaby, "Suo Gan," and "Gabriel's Message," a Basque carol arranged by John Rutter. This CD is intended to go well with a cold night, a roaring fire, and some eggnog. Due to the loving work of John Atkinson and the singers of Cantus, the album is that and more. It illuminates the human side of the Nativity, focusing on the idea of new life in the dead of winter and the bond between parent and child. Beautiful holiday music, finely-crafted and effortlessly sung.

Songlist: Puer natus est, Gabriel's Message, Ave Maria, O Little Town of Bethlehem, Hodi Christus natus est, O Magnum Mysterium, O Magnum Mysterium, Mary Had a Baby, Suo-Gan, A La Nanita Nana, I Wonder as I Wander, The Three Kings, What Child Is This?, Die Konige, Coventry Carol, Silent Night

Minneapolis/St. Paul's ten-strong, all-male Cantus has impressed us with their excellent earlier recordings and continue to do so with "Comfort and Joy: Volume Two," their second Christmas recording. Song selection and arrangements (and, for that matter, the elegant liner notes) are particularly fine here. Little-known pieces like "Puer natus in Bethlehem," Omnis mundus jucundetur," "Four Carols" by Halsey Stevens," Wm. Dawson's "Hail Mary," the Plainchant "Hodie Christus natus est," the Georgian wassailing song "Alilo," Ariel Ramirez' "Los Reyes Magos" and Babatunde Olatunji's "Betelehemu" with the more traditional carols like "Go Tell it On the Mountain," the French carol "Masters In This Hall," "God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen," "Riiu Riu Chiu," and an almost unrecognizable arrangement of "Deck the Halls." Some percussion and accompaniment. Consistent throughout are the powerful harmonies of Cantus, one of our favorite male ensembles.

Songlist: Puer natus in Bethlehem, Omnis mundus jucundetur, Four Carols, All This Night Shrill Chanticleer, What Sweeter Music, As I Out Rode This Enderes Night, A Virgin Most Pure, Hail Mary, Go, Tell it on the Mountain, Hodie Christmas naatus est, Masters in this Hall, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Alilo, Riu, Riu, Chiu, Los Reyes Magos, Bethlehemu, Deck The Halls

The young men of Cantus, an eleven-member ensemble from St. Olaf College, perform choral literature ranging from polyphony and chant to art songs and spirituals. Therefore the Latin "O Sacrum Convivium" (De Victoria) and Tallis' "If Ye Love Me" reside along a 20th century Gustafsson-composed "Kyrie" and "Gloria," the dissonant intervals heralding the epoch of modernism. "Nachtliches Standchen," a romantic lied, a form of which Schubert was master, is included, as is Finzi's "Thou Didst Delight My Eyes." "Shenandoah" and "Danny Boy" are quietly lambent; the acoustics of the church in Minnesota, where this CD was recorded, a perfect setting.

Songlist: Introit for Trinity Sunday: Benedicta sit, O Sacrum Convivium, If Ye Love Me, Thee We Adore, Missa a cappella, Kyrie, Agnus Dei, Our Father, Ave Maria, Nachtlliches Standchen, Thou Didst Delight My Eyes, The Turtle Dove, Danny Boy, Shenandoah, Prayer of the Children, Adoramus te

Cantus is a professional, 12-male vocal chamber ensemble dedicated to exalting the human spirit through the performance of innovative and engaging musical programs. Their focus is not only on singing the finest literature of the past but also to present new music created by group members or commissioned for the group. People may experience them through concerts, recordings, clinics and new musical scores. The 19 songs on "Let Your Voice" are an exciting mix: the title tune (African Jazz, with non-vocal percussion, which is present on other tracks),"Dravidian Dithyramb" (Indian Dance Music), "El Yivneh Hagalil" (Hebrew Folk Song), and "What Shall We Do the Drunken Sailor" (English Sea Shanty), share CD space with "Mata Del Anima Sola," a Venezuelan Joropo, "Shen Khar Venakhi (Georgian Wedding Song), "K'ang-ting Love Song" (Chinese Folk Song) and "Were You There" (African-American Spiritual). All songs feature innovative arrangements and often breathtaking spirit and energy. A rousing, powerful CD from an amazing, talented ensemble.

Songlist: Let Your Voice Be Heard, Dravidian Dithyramb, El Yivneh Hagalil, Nukapianguaq, Dulaman, What Shall We Do With the Drunken Sailor, Songs from Matengo Folktales, Mata del Anima Sola, Shen Khar Venakhi, K'ang-ting Love Song, She Moved Through the Fair, Domaredansen, Loch Lomond, Danny Boy, Shenandoah, Rainbow 'Round My Shoulder, Were You There?, One By One, Let Your Voice Be Heard

Cantus : Live Vol. 1   

Hailing from Northfield MN's St Olaf College, 10-man a cappella group Cantus was founded by a few college friends in 1995, and since then has won recognition across the globe as one of America's finest all-male vocal ensembles. Boasting 13 (with "Live, Volume 1") excellent albums (and a pair of songbook collections) on Singers.com, and performing at more than 400 venues across the planet, Cantus' powerful, beautiful sound has gained them happy fans and much critical acclaim. "Live Volume 1" was recorded at the First Lutheran Church in Columbia Heights, MN in 2004, and contains 18 selections, some favorites are Michael Head's "How Sweet the Moonlight Sleeps," Francis Poulenc's "Quatre Petit Prieres de Saint Francois d'Assise," three "Psalms of Ascent" by Chester Alives, Benjamin Britten's "Ballad of Little Musgrave and Lady Barnard," Nick Cave's "The Mercy Seat," five "Songs of the Sea" by C. Villiers Stanford," and a pair from "The Art of the Ground Round" by P.D.Q. Bach, "Loving is as Easy" and "Please Kind Sir." Several songs are lightly accompanied by piano or guitar. Settle back and experience the excitement of this wonderful, spirited live performance by versatile Cantus!

Songlist: How Sweet the Moonlight Sleeps, Part I: Quatre Petit Prieres de Saint Francois d'Assise, Part II: Quatre Petit Prieres de Saint Francois d'Assise, Part III: Quatre Petit Prieres de Saint Francois d'Assise, Part IV: Quatre Petit Prieres de Saint Francois d'Assise, Unto the Lord in my distresse: Psalms of Ascent, I to the hills lift up mine eyes: Psalms of Ascent, O all yee servants of the Lord: Psalms of Ascent, Ballad of Little Musgrave and Lady Barnard, The Mercy Seat, Drake's Drum: Songs of the Sea, Outward Bound: Songs of the Sea, Devon, O Devon in wind and rain: Songs of the Sea, Homeward Bound: Songs of the Sea, The Old Superb: Songs of the Sea, Loving is as Easy: The Art of the Ground Round, Please, Kind Sir: The Art of the Ground Round, Dalvi duoddar luohti- Talvitunturin joikha

Cantus presents recordings from some of their recent concerts. Highlights include collaborations with the Saint Olaf Choir ("Beautiful Savior" and "Our Father"), guest conductors Dale Warland and Anton Armstrong and performances by Cantus' tenth anniversary reunion choir (Alleluia," "Ave Maria," and "Salvation is Created"). Also included on this eclectic disc is the premiere of "Private First Class Jesse Givens," a setting of a letter from a fallen U.S. soldier in Iraq by American composer Lee Hoiby. Cantus has rapidly developed into one of the finest male choral ensembles performing today and this recording accurately captures that talent.

Songlist: Absalon Fili Mi, Private First Class Jesse Given, Remember Me, Salvation Is Created, Alleluia, Ave Maria, Our Father, Beautiful Saviour, Los Pastores, Mata Del Aninma Sola, When She Loved Me, How Can I Be Sure, Stick To The Craythur, Who's Loving You

All male, 9-voice a cappella ensemble Cantus, acclaimed by Fanfare as the "premier men's vocal ensemble in the United States," rehearses and performs without a conductor or a music director. "Deep River," Cantus' 2003 album of African-American Spirituals, was so well-received, the group realized that "Singing, in this land we call America, has its roots firmly planted in sacred music." They tells us that the very first book published in the colonies was a Psalter, published in 1640. Tenor Aaron Humble reports, "We were excited to explore the bold shapes and sounds of colonial music and learn how we could juxtapose this unique soundscape with more familiar sacred works like Paul Manz's "E'en So, Lord Jesus, Quickly Come" and Moses Hogan's "Witness."" There are 18 songs here, including some surprising, wonderful cuts like Bobby McFerrin's "The 23rd Psalm (dedicated to my mother)," William Billings' "Anthem, Lamentation Over Boston," the composer's attempt to deal spiritually with the burning of Boston by the British in the American Revolution, its world premiere recording. Other world premiere recordings are "There's a Meeting Here Tonight" arranged by Cantus, "Simple Gifts" arranged by Stephen Caracciolo," "What Have I Done" ("Amazing Grace/House of the Rising Sun," and "Keep Your Lamps," both arranged by Timothy Takach, "Run On (God's Gonna Cut You Down)", arranged by Gary Ruschman, "Been in the Storm" arranged by Cantus, "The Sweet By and By," arranged by Aaron Humble; and "Paradise," arranged by Malcolm Dalglish. Every cut here touches and moves, surprises and delights us-don't miss "That Eternal Day," one of the best of the year!

Songlist: There's a Meeting Here Tonight, Wondrous Love, Simple Gifts, Jewett, What Have I Done, He Never Said a Mumberlin' Word, Run On (God's Gonna Cut You Down), Been In The Storm, Anthem: Lamentation Over Boston, The Sweet By and By, Hallelujah, The 23rd Psalm (dedicated to my mother), Wanting Memories, Paradise, E'en So, Lord Jesus, Quickly Come, Witness, Keep Your Lamps, Goin' Home

Minnesota-based 11-strong all-male ensemble Cantus, since their founding at St. Olaf College in 1995 have had great fun performing around Minnesota, the country and the world, and recording excellent CDs ("There Lies The Home " is their 10th). The authentic folk songs and sea chantys in "Home" are popular choices in the group's repertoire. Some favorites are "Break, Break, Break," "Songs of the Sea," "Jonah's Song," "Shenandoah," "Lowlands," arranged by Alice Parker and Robert Shaw," Gordon Lightfoot's "Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" and Sting's "Valparaiso." Beautiful liner notes, some light accompaniment. Powerful and evocative music!

Songlist: Prelude (Before Dawn), Sea Fever, Break, Break, Break, Songs of the Sea (Op. 91), Jonah's Song, Shenandoa, Lowlands, Muistse mere laulud, Incantatio maris aestuosi, Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald (, Valparaiso, A True Heart is Haiting

"Cantus" is an eleven member all-male group hailing from St. Olaf's College in Minnesota. Their holiday disc includes many traditional favorites, such as "Coventry Carol," "Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming," and "God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen" and an original version of "Deck the Halls" (done in 5/4, with jazzy harmonies??, a definite departure from the style on the rest of the recording). "Riu, Riu, Chiu," sung in Spanish, and accompanied by appropriate percussion, accented like a russian song (ask the group about this.) The recording, made in a church, adds atmosphere and presence to the group's own melliflous blend; the notes "float" effortlessly as if weightless. The classically-trained voices are well-suited to the sacred material, the sound of which conveys allegiance to its origin centuries ago. A calming shelter from the Christmas frenzy.

Songlist: Veni, Veni Emmanuel, O Magnum Mysterium, Riu, Riu Chiu, Gabriels' Message, Salvation Is Created, Alleluia, Hail Mary, Lo, How A Rose E're Blooming, O Holy Child, Coventry Carol, Suo-Gan, I Wonder As I Wander, God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen, I Saw Three Ships, Deck The Halls, Silent Night

This young male ensemble from the great choral-producing regions of Minnesota, under the artistic direction of Erik Lichte, bring a fresh elegance and vitality to their repetoire. Cantus incorporates a wide variety of influences from across the globe. A contemporary setting of the Latin "Veni Creator Spiritus," is followed by three similar works, dating from Rennaissance or pre-Rennaissance. Ralph Vaughan Williams' "The Vagabond" is musically itinerant, restlessly drifting between tonalities. The melancholy "This Ol' Hammer," an African-American work song, has a solo lead on the verses, while the chorus echoes key phrases in assent; the arrangement manipulates the placement and number of voices throughout, adding and subtracting for variety and dynamic range. "One by One" is Zulu - sung in Zulu - with whoops and caterwauling, all very tuneful, of course. It's a jubilant finale.

Songlist: Veni Creator Spiritus, Cantate Domino, The Pauperum Refugium, O Filii Et Finliae, Alleluia, Amen, The Vagabond, Two Settings Of Rupert Brooke, - Oh! Love, - The Hill, Break, Break, Break, Loch Lomond, Doraredansen, Mouth Music, Bullgine Run, This Ol' Hammer, In His Care-O, One By One

"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.

Songlist: Lux Aurumque, A Lullaby, A Sound Like This, We Two, Kolm mul oli kaunist sona, The Turning, Things I Didn't Know I Loved, Encounter, There is Sweet Music Here