Chicago A Cappella

Since its founding in 1993 by bass Jonathan Miller, Chicago a cappella has been singing an eclectic mix of choral repertoire with a small and mighty group of nine soloists. One of fewer than fifty fully professional vocal ensembles in the U.S., Chicago a cappella continually seeks to break new ground in programming, repertoire, and the highest level of professional choral singing. The ensemble sings repertoire spanning from the ninth to the twenty-first century, with special focus on music written in the present generation. The group often bases their programs on a historical or cultural theme, and typically performs widely varied styles of music to illustrate that theme. The results are multifaceted performances like “Go Down, Moses," Music in the Life of Frank Lloyd Wright,” and “Tastes of Paradise: Music for the Pleasures of the Palate.”

Of the ensemble’s debut at Chicago's Theatre Building in September 1993, the Chicago Sun-Times critic wrote, “These musicians seem to be blessed with perfect pitch.” The Chicago Tribune praised the group's “wit, imagination, flawless intonation, and...easy, idiomatic way with music of every period, from medieval to jazz, swing and gospel.” Fanfare magazine, writing about the group's recording of music by Mathurin Forestier, declared, "The nine voices that make up the group display all the professional attributes of world-class ensembles." The European press has also lauded Chicago a cappella, calling the group's singing "clear toned and flexible, musically relaxed, unpretentious and stylistically experienced." (Alte Musik Aktuell).

Equally at home with early music, vocal jazz, and spirituals, the singers have a special affinity for the music of our own time. They present premieres on a regular basis. Chicago a cappella has sung the U.S. premieres of a major Danish work, Vagn Holmboe’s Solhymne, and the six-movement Fragments from his dish by Bob Chilcott; world premieres of works by Rami Levin, Paul Crabtree, Martha Sullivan, Jerry Troxell, and Peter Saltzman; and many local premieres, including works by Morten Lauridsen, Daniel Pinkham, and Iceland’s Thorkell Sigurbjörnsson.

Discography

Shall I Compare Thee? - Choral Songs On Shakespeare Texts

Summer Sonnet Blow, blow, thou winter wind Come Away, Death Lullaby Double, Double, Toil and Trouble Full Fathom Five It Was a Lover and his Lass Take, O Take Those Lips Away Who is Silvia? And Will A’Not Come Again? It Was a Lover and his Lass Shall I compare? Madrigal (Take, O Take Those Lips Away) Sonnet 147 (My love is as a fever) Orpheus with his lute O mistress mine! To be, or not to be O weary night Three words Tomorrow and tomorrow Spring Sonnet 18: Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?

On its new CD, the "world class”" nine voice ensemble Chicago a cappella brings its trademark "wit, imagination, [and] flawless intonation" to 23 contemporary choral settings of Shakespeare texts - including ten recorded premieres and three works composed expressly for the group. Making its Cedille Records debut, Chicago a cappella performs artful arrangements that draw from influences ranging from bossa nova and the blues to Renaissance and Medieval modes. You’ll hear a fascinating spectrum of styles within single works and across the entire program. This is one CD where (in the words of the Bard) "music and sweet poetry agree."

7916 CD $15.98

Electric

Danse, ikke gråte nå El Hambo Prayers of Steel Pleasure The West Lake Waltz for Debby Sanctus Fragments from his Dish Contre qui, rose The Nearness of You The Fall Constant Craving Shenandoah

Chicago a cappella’s sparkling new studio recording features an exciting collection of beloved music from the ensemble's first decade. Recorded at Chicago’s WFMT Studios by Grammy-nominated engineer Christopher Willis, Eclectric includes brilliant new choral works, familiar favorites, and vocal jazz.

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