In 2008-2009, celebrating its fifth year as one of the San Francisco Bay Area's premier women's vocal ensembles, 12-voice Musae presented its first ever Meet the Composer event, premiered works composed especially for them, hosted a grand party/fundraiser at the City Club, brought its annual December and May concerts to San Francisco, Berkeley and Tiburon, and recorded and released "five!" The ensemble describes its mission and vision as offering "a new experience of women's voices by combining musical artistry with an innovative and generous approach to performance." The 14 well-chosen cuts here begin and end with a soaring 12th Century chant by Hildegard von Bingen, "Karitas Habundat," there's Allister MacGillivray's lovely ballad "Song for the Mira," the heart-tugging Irish anthem "Danny Boy," and some wonderfully light and jazzy (and accompanied) renditions of "Mas Que Nada," "Canto de Ossanha," "Tempo de Amor" and "O Tico-Tico No Fuba." Next we have Graham Mayer's haunting, dissonant "When I Have Fears That I May Cease to Be," Princess Lili'uokalani's lovely "Ahe Lau Makani," Rene Clausen's powerful "Set Me as a Seal," Brian Holmes' soaring affirmation "I Shall Keep Singing" and Ryan James Brandau's beautiful "An Irish Blessing." Musae simply touches and inspires us with their "heartfelt and adventurous music." Enjoy! |
