Choral Arts Northwest

Choral Arts is known for its polished, rounded tone and mastery of choral literature from all styles and historical periods. Besides presenting their own season in both Seattle and Tacoma since 1993, this professional-level choir has made many outside appearances, and was the only chamber choir from North America invited to participate in the 1999 competition in Marktoberdorf, Germany, placing fourth out of 300 applicants and winning a special prize for interpretation of a Romantic choral work.

In addition to being founder and Artistic Director of Choral Arts, Richard Sparks has since 2001 been Artistic Director of Pro Coro Canada in Edmonton, Alberta. From 1983-2001 Sparks was Director of Choral Activities at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, and directed the Seattle Symphony Chorale from 1990-1994. His doctoral dissertation, which won the Julius Herford Award for distinguished choral research, is published under the title The Swedish Choral Miracle: Swedish A Cappella Music Since 1945. In the fall of 2002, he was the first American in 20 years to be invited to guest-conduct the famed Swedish Radio Choir in Stockholm.

Discography

The Light Of Stars - Randall Thompson

The Best of Rooms (Robert Herrick) Two Herbert Settings (George Herbert): - Antiphon - Bitter-sweet The Last Invocation (Walt Whitman) Odes of Horace: - Montium custos (book 3, 22) - Vitas hinnuleo (book 1, 23) - O fons Bandusiae (book 3, 13) - Felices ter (final verse of book 1, 13) Alleluia - The Light of the Stars (Henry Wadsworth Longfellow) - The Passenger (Mark Anthony DeWolfse Howe) - Two Worlds (Edmund Waller) - Siciliano (Philip H. Rhinelander) - The Happy Shore (Edmund Spenser)

30-strong, mixed-voice, Seattle-based Choral Arts (formerly Choral Arts Northwest), founded by artistic director Richard Sparks, is one of the outstanding chamber choirs in the United States. Focusing primarily on romantic and contemporary music, the choir's repertoire has ranged from Renaissance music to contemporary Swedish works. Randall Thompson achieved iconic status for choral works like "Frostiana" and the hugely popular anthem "Alleluia" in the middle part of the 20th century. Included here are 14 pieces, some favorites: the world premiere recordings of "Antiphon" and "Five Love Songs," "The Last Invocation" (based on words by Walt Whitman), the previously mentioned "Alleluia," "Vitas hinnuleo," and the title tune (based on words by Longfellow). Some light accompaniment. Beautiful, romantic music performed by one of America's finest choirs!

7039 CD $15.98

Cathedral Anthems

Ye Choirs of New Jerusalem Show Us Your Mercy, O Lord Dominus Regnavit There Is a Stream The Song of Moses Exsultate Deo Phoenix Gloria in Excelsis Deo Qui Tollis Quoniam Commit Your Way to the Lord Behold, the Eye of the Lord Whom Should We Love Like Thee

This recording represents forty years of Peter Hallock's work. While organist and choirmaster of St. Mark's Cathedral in Seattle, he composed an impressive array of original choral works in the Anglican tradition, including both large and small-scale works for choir, with and without instruments. Often dissonant and difficult, many of these works are recorded here for the first time. The CD opens with the triumphant anthem "Ye Choirs of New Jerusalem" for choir, organ, brass and percussion. Led by Richard Sparks, Choral Arts Northwest gives glorious performances of Hallock's stunning music.

7307 CD $15.98

A Scandinavian Christmas

Jeg er sa glad (arr. P.J. Christiansen) Organ chorale: Af Hoiheden oprunden (Niels Gade) Den yndigste rose (Henrik Odegaard) Deilig er den himmel blaa (arr. P.J. Christiansen) Organ chorale: Nun komm der Heiden Heiland (David Dahl) Ave Maris Stella (Bror Samuelson) O makalosa stjarna (Harold Sventelius; arr. Ola Ericksson Ave Maris Stella (Edvard Hagerup Grieg) O Jul med din glede (arr. Carolyn Jennings) Gloria in excelsis Deo (Jan Sandstrom) Jul, jul, Stralande jul! (Gustaf Nordqvist) Organ toccata: Fra himlen hoyt jeg kommer her Ave Maria (Gottfrid Berg)Swedish Christmas Medley (arr. Berith Ballard)

There is bliss to be found in hearing a pitch-perfect chord held by a chorus. 24-strong Choral Arts Northwest achieves chord after chord like this, a sound that is remarkable for its warmth, richness and full-throated power. Precision and accuracy of intonation are its hallmarks, as well as a phenomenal range of dynamics and a limitless range of shading. There are 19 generally organ-accompanied songs here, some in Swedish or Norwegian, some in English all sacred Christmas church music. Extensive liner notes tell us the meaning of each of these exceptional songs, but the story here is the singers, who carry each finely-crafted chord as if it were a gift to a very special baby long ago. Touching, soothing sacred music from Scandinavia.

Listen to " Jeg er sa glad " in RealAudio.

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