Bruce Browne

Review: Choral Cross-Ties, a mixed 24-singer chorus directed by Bruce Browne who founded the group in 1985, bring us 3 choral cycles by composer Morten Lauridsen, "Mid-Winter Songs," on poems by Robert Graves; "Madrigali: Six Fire-Songs," on Italian Renaissance poems; and "Les Chansons Des Roses," on poems by Rainer Maria Rilke. Reading the beautiful poetry which inspired Lauridsen in the extensive liner notes, the Graves in English, the Madrigali in Italian and the Chansons in French (all with translations), adds to our appreciation and feeling for the music. Lightly accompanied on piano, "The Complete Choral Cycles" is an extensive, demanding work made to look easy by a wonderfully versatile chorus.

Songlist: Lament for Pasiphae, Like Snow, She Tells Her Love While Half Asleep, Mid-Winter Waking, Intercession in Late October, Ov'e, Lass', Il Bel Viso, Quando Son Piu Lontan, Amor, Io Sento L'alma, Io Piango, Luci Serene E Chiare, Se Per Havervi, Oime, En Une Seule Fleur, Contre Qui, Rose, De Ton Reve Trop Plein, La Rose Complete, Dirait-On

Review: Every recording has a story behind its genesis. In 2003 Estonian Composer Veljo Tormis heard the Portland State Chamber Choir while they were on tour in his country. Tormis was so taken with the brilliant artistry and expressive power of the ensemble he requested that Bruce Browne and his singers do a recording of his music sung in English. For almost two years the Singers, their conductor and the composer worked together on this project. Tormis was very prominent in the interpretation. He supervised the learning of the music in preparation for the Chamber Choir's appearance at the Northwest Convention of the American Choral Director's Association 2006. Veljo Tormis, On American Shores is a recording with a significance of strong integrity by both Composer and Artist. Bruce Browne is emeritus Professor of Music and Choir of the Vocal and Choral area at Portland State University. He is also Conductor Emeritus of the Portland Symphonic Choir and founder and director of the professional choir, Choral Cross-Ties. The Portland State Chamber Choir is recognized as one of the top University Chamber ensembles in the United States.

Songlist: St. John's Day Songs:, -Call to Midsummer Bonfire I, -Call to Midsummer Bonfire II, -Can't be Caught with a Gun, -Why St. John is Awaited, -St. John's Steed, -The Curse for Iron, -St. John's Song, Helletused, Three Estonian Game Songs:, -The Grindstone Game, -The Fingerbinding Game, -The Ship Game, Two Songs after Ernst Enno:, -Early Summer's Fairy Talk, -Soundlessly, Somewhere Murmuring Homeward, Three Songs from the Epic:, -Oh, My Gentle, Tender Mother, -Daughters of the Meadow Matron, -The Wave Rolls, Autumn Landscapes:, -It is Late in Summer, -Clouds are Racing, -Pale Light, -Painfully Red are the Leaves, -Wind over the Barrens, -Cold Autumn Night, -Heather, The Songster's Childhood, The Singer's Closing Words