The final years of Robert Shaw's life saw a return to his devotion to unaccompanied vocal music. Many will remember the Robert Shaw Chorale which was so popular in the 1950s and into the '60s. For two decades ending with his official retirement in 1989, Robert Shaw was the conductor and music director of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. During that period most of his choral work was for orchestra and chorus. Yet even before his retirement he had established the Robert Shaw Choral Institute which devoted it's efforts to furthering choral arts through conductor training, workshops and performances. Through the establishment of its summer festivals beginning in 1989, participants who were selected by audition came to the Quercy district of south-central France for two weeks of instruction and intensive rehearsal, culminating in a week of performances in the wonderful medieval churches of the region. Many of the recordings on this release were obtained by Telarc during the momentary summer existence of the Robert Shaw Festival Singers. In the winters Robert Shaw created the Chamber Singers to further the practice of choral music. From both these groups has been assembled a group of recordings which reflect the deeply spiritual nature of the founder. Several of them have never been released before. You will find classical works by Tallis, Poulenc, Rachmaninoff, Schubert, and others in addition to several gospels sung by some of the most beautiful voices of the time. This is glorious full choral splendor! |
