Grammy-nominated Dale Warland Singers' final concert, on May 30, 2004, concluded 31 years of concerts, tours, radio broadcasts and critically acclaimed recordings. The Singers, a 40-voice professional choir based in Minneapolis/St. Paul, were recognized as one of the world's best a cappella choral ensembles. "Lux" is a collection of popular 19th and 20th century sacred music that shows just how high Dale Warland's standards were in creating and working with his renowned group. Picking favorites from this strong program isn't easy, but certainly Gretchaninoff's "Of Thy Mystical Supper," Vytautus Miskinis's "O sacrum convivium," Chesnokov's "Salvation is Created," John Rutter's "Hymn to the Creator of Light," the title tune by Eric Whitacre, Dominic Argento's "To God" (In Memoriam M.B.), and Nikolai Golovanov's "Otche Nash." The Dale Warland Singers has long been a favorite of ours for their bright, powerful harmonies and strong direction; "Lux Aurumque" is a beautiful, appropriate swan song for this great ensemble. |
