The oldest, most famous choir at Decorah, IA's Luther College, founded in 1946, The 68-strong, mixed voice Nordic Choir brings us another beautiful, inspirational album, conducted by Craig Arnold. Nordic is now under the direction of Allen Hightower, who picked up the baton from Arnold, who directed the Choir for five years after receiving it from Weston Noble, who greatly enhanced the group's international reputation during his 57 years of leadership. Nordic Choir records at least one CD per year and tours extensively in the United States and internationally. "We Sing with Joy" is a 17-song collection, many of them accompanied by piano, violin, trumpet and organ. Some favorites are "Praise to the Lord" arranged by F. Melius Christiansen, Ola Gjeilo's "Unicornis Captivatur," Frank Martin's "Sanctus (from Mass)," Benjamin Britten's "Hymn to St. Cecelia" movements 1 and 2, Paul Tschesnokoff's "O Lord God," an American Folk song "The Dying Soldier," David Childs' "Where Your Barefoot Walks," Z. Randall Stroope's "All My Heart This Night Rejoices," Dan Forrest's "You Are the Music" and the William Dawson-arranged spiritual, "Ev'ry Time I Feel The Spirit." But each of these cuts is masterfully done, the rich soaring harmonies rising and intertwining above us. "We Sing with Joy" is simply wonderful! |
