A self-described "Chanticleer portrait," containing a variety of different styles (a cappella), all performed with the flawless technique for which the group is admired. "O Clap Your Hands" employs eight parts in a broad polyphonic convergence. Gabrieli's "Magnificat," from the sixteenth century, divides twelve voices into three four-part choirs. "Charm Me Asleep" is a recent work, written for the group; despite it's title, it is as disquieting as soothing. Three "tone poems" (an example of program music, where the music seeks to represent a specific text) by Richard Strauss follow, then Berlin's "Blue Skies"; the latter a swinging version adapted from the Dorsey arrangement that demands attention with dramatic fortissimo ending, and a middle break that detours into a brief classical medley, very reminiscent of the Swingle Singers! Chanticleer also gets down on "Straight Street" with an authentic gospel testimonial. |
