The 37-strong, a cappella Grand Rapids (MI) Women's Chorus is led by Artistic Director Lori Tennenhouse and Small Ensemble Director Martha VanderEyk, and "Celebrating Time Together" is a "best of" 15-song collection from the founding of the group in 1996 to 2006. Some favorites are four songs commissioned by the GRWC: Diane Benjamin's lightly accompanied "Miracle," Libby Larsen & Mary Oliver's string quartet accompanied "The Summer Day," Ysaye M. Barnwell & Audrey Lorde's "Memorial 1," and Marjan Helms' piano and percussion-accompanied "Rainsong;" and a pair performed by the 8-voice Small Ensemble, "My Love Walks in Velvet" and "A Red, Red Rose. Other favorites are Antonin Dvorak's lovely "Largo" (from Song of Survival, Vol.1), the powerful, drum-accompanied Akan Playground Song "Sansa Kroma," Alan E. Naplan's "Al Shlosha D'Varim," Zap Mama's rhythmic gem "Guzophela" and Eric Whitacre's "Sleep." The GRWC has a beautiful, sweet sound, strong covers and excellent new material. There's a lot to like on "Celebrating Time Together!" |
