For nearly a century the 75-voice a cappella St. Olaf Choir, long regarded as one of the finest college a cappella choirs in the United States, has maintained its original purpose--study and preparation of choral literature for public performance. Recorded live in St. Olaf's Boe Memorial Chapel between 2001 and 2008, "Repertoire for Mixed Voices" is a generous, impressive 2-CD set, with 11 songs on each disc, is a powerful, joyous, sometimes accompanied collection of sacred Christian music. Some favorites are Lassus' "Jubilate Deo," Byrd's "Ave Verum Corpus," a pair by Bach, "Singet dem Herrn" and "Lobet den Herrn," three by Kenneth Jennings, "The Call," "Prayer" and "Antiphon." On Disc 2 we especially liked G. Randall Stroope's "Conversion of Saul," Tacach's "The Darkling Thrush," Miskinis' "Lucis Creator Optime," "Tankuj Tankuij," Susa's "The Shepherds Sing," Guastavino's "Arroz con leche" and many others. This is a remarkable, inspirational collection that shows of the clear, soaring sound and rich harmonies of the St. Olaf Choir, one of the best in the United States! |
