"Choral Spectrum II" is the second of an amazing series by this talented collegiate a cappella ensemble, a collection of 18 songs from the choir's 2005-2006 repertoire. Dr. Rodde directs his hand-picked mixed-voice singers through difficult classical Christian material like J.S. Bach's soaring "Der Geist hilft unsrer Schwachheit auf," Pierre Villette's "Jesu, Dulcis Memoria," Felix Mendelssohn's "Im Advent, op 79" and "Weihnachten, op. 79," Roberto Caamano's "Psalm CXVI," William Hawley's "O Maria Maris Stella," Georg Schumann's "Und ob ich schon wanderte" and Vytautas Miskinis' "O Sacrum Convivium" with effortless ease and grace. Other winners are the Moses Hogan-arranged "I'm Gonna Sing 'til the Spirit Moves in My Heart," the Craig Johnson-arranged "Motherless Child," Eric Whitacre's stunning "Leonardo Dreams of His Flying Machine," and Mark Sirett's lovely "Balulalow." Each one of these 18 cuts is as beautiful and perfect as we could have imagined! |
