The two extremes in sacred music are lamenting and praising. In their take on the subjects, the Rockefeller Chapel Choir, led by Randi Von Ellefson, chose pieces from the Renaissance and the 20th century. There are several settings of the Lamentations of Jeremiah including that of Palestrina and di Lasso. There is a lovely Easter Anthem by William Billings as well as beautiful psalm settings by Stanley Hoffman. On this CD the choir alternates lamentation with exultation. Daniel Pinkham's striking "Here Repose, O Broken Body" provides quiet and thoughtful ending to an emotionally varied recording. |
