Easter Choral Music

Review: Easter (Pascha) is the 'feast of feasts'--the most important celebration of the Eastern Orthodox Christian year. The vibrant and majestic hymns and chants sung during Easter services-Paschal Matins, Divine Liturgy, and Vespers-are presented on this CD in 31 selections, both historical and newly composed, drawn from the Slavic and Byzantine traditions, all adapted into English. From the transparent melodies of Russian znamenny and Byzantine chant, to opulent 8-voice Baroque sacred concertos, this CD offers a glorious musical feast!

Songlist: Come Receive The Light, Angels In Heaven, Paschal Beginning , Paschal Canon Ode 1, Paschal Canon Ode 3, Before Dawn, Paschal Canon Ode 6, You Descended, We Have Seen Christ's Ressurection, Paschal Canon Ode 8, Paschal Ode 9, Exapostilarion, Paschal Stichera, The Paschal Sermon Of St. John Chrysostom, Grace Shining Forth, 1st Paschal Antiphon, 2nd Paschal Antiphon, 3rd Paschal Antiphon, Christ Is Risen, Hypakoe Of Pascha, Kontakiom Of Pascha, Prokeimenon, Alleluia, The Angel Cried, Receive The Body Of Christ, Let God Arise, The Angel Cried, Christ Is Risen, Great Prokeimenon

Review: John Tavener's 2000 composition, 'Lamentations and Praises,' a liturgical drama scored for male voices 'singing in the Orthodox Byzantine style,' flute, bass trombone, string quartet and a number of eclectic percussion instruments such as tubular bells, a Byzantine monastery bell, and very large Tibetan temple bowl. This is a profoundly religious work on the crucifixion, death and resurrection of Christ, written for the 12 voices of acclaimed Chanticleer, the only full-time classical vocal ensemble in the US. The beautiful and extensive liner notes take us through the 13 sections, or ikons, and explain in English what the singers are saying and what it means. Deeply meditative and beautiful!

Songlist: Golgotha: The Descent Of The Cross, Stasis 1 , Wherewithal Shall A Young Man, Thrinos , Epitaphios~Procession 1: From Golgotha To The Annointing Stone, The Descent From The Cross II, Stasis II , Let Now Your Mercy..., Your Hands Have Made Me..., Thrinos, Epitaphios~Procession II: To The Tomb Entrance , The Descent From The Cross III , Stasis III , Princes Have Persecuted Me..., I Awaited Lord Your Salvation..., Look Upon Me And Have Mercy..., Thrinos , Procession Into Hades (Into The Tomb), Resurrection In Hades

Review: Superb ensemble singing from simply one of the finest choirs in the world. Philip Ledger's tenure at King's was relatively short but he produced a sublime sound from the choir. Then are many jewels on this disc from Lotti's 'Crucifixus' to the simply beautiful interpretation of Orlando Gibbon's 'Drop, drop slow tears'. Perfection in delivery and hauntingly beautiful tone quality mark this performance of some glorious holy week music. 'The Lamentations of Jeremiah' are usually transmitted as a single piece in most contemporary manuscripts, but they are really two separate compositions in different modes. Tallis and his contemporary John Sheppard were the only 2 English composers of the time to compose hymn settings of any quality. It has been suggested that they had it in mind to compose a cycle of settings for Mary Tudor's chapel. 'O Nata lux' may belong to this Marian set. It is almost entirely homophonic, and relies rhetorically upon a flexible declamatory style. ' Salvator Mundi' is one of Tallis's best-known motets. The masterly treatment of imitative writing is combined with a fine sense of structure and balance, achieved through repetition, to give a sense of large-scale design, a feature characteristic of Tallis's best large-scale compositions. And the most beautiful anthem on the disc: Tallis's 'If Ye Love Me'. So much wonderful music, exquisitely sung; a delcious Easter treat!

Songlist: Lamentations Of Jeremiah, O Nata Lux , Salvator Mundi , If Ye Love Me , Crucifixus, There Is A Green Hill Far Away , O Vos Omnes, Nolo Mortem Peccatoris , Tristis Est Anima Mea , Crux Fidelis , Videte Omnes Populi , Drop Drop Slow Tears , When I Survey The Wondrous Cross , Dum Transisset Sabbatum , Jesus Christ Is Risen Today , The Joyful Eastertide , Haec Dies , Let All The World In Every Corner Sing

Review: This recording of Gregorian Chant from the Glorae Dei Cantores Schola celebrates the Feast of the Resurrection, which is rooted in the earliest centuries of Christian worship. This 'celebration of celebrations' is a time for rebirth, and this recording reflects that sense of personal renewal and joy. The Chants of Easter includes the Propers of Easter Day and chants for the octave of Easter---daily services that are part of the week-long celebration of the Easter miracle. These chants are conveyed with careful attention to subtleties in the ancient Gregorian notation, inviting listeners to share the experience of Christ's resurrection in all its richness.

Songlist: Ad Missam in Die: Introit, Resurrexi, Ad Missam in Die: Gradual, Haec Dies, Ad Missam in Die: Alleluia, Pascha Nostrum, Ad Missam in Die: Sequence, Victimae Paschali, Ad Missam in Die: Offertory,Terra Tremuit, Ad Missam in Die: Communion: Pascha Nostrum, Feria Secunda: Introit, Introduxit vos, Feria Secunda: Alleluia, Angelus Domini, Feria Secunda: Offertory, Angelus Domini, Feria Secunda: Communion, Surrexit Dominus, Feria Tertia: Introit, Aqua Sapientia, Feria Tertia: Alleluia, Surrexit Dominus, Feria Tertia: Offertory, Intonuit de caelo, Feria Tertia: Communion, Si Consurrexistis, Feria Quarta: Introit, Venite Benedicti, Feria Quarta: Alleluia, Surrexit Dominus, Feria Quarta: Offertory, Portas Caeli, Feria Quarta: Communion, Christus Resurgens, Feria Quinta: Introit, Victricem Manum Tuam, Feria Quinta: Alleluia, Surrexit Christus, Feria Quinta: Offertory, In die eos Domminus, Feria Quinta: Communion, Populus Acquistionis, Feria Sexta: Introit, Eduxit Eos Dominus, Feria Sexta: Alleluia, Dicite In Gentibus, Feria Sexta: Offertory, Erit Vobis Hic, Feria Sexta: Communion, Data Est Mihi, Sabbato: Introit, Eduxit Dominus, Sabbato: Alleluia, Haec Dies, Sabbato: Alleluia, Laudate Pueri Dominum, Sabbato: Offertory, Benedictus Qui Venit, Sabbato: Communion, Omnes Qui in Christo

Review: If you like The King's Singers, you'll love this CD! Gesualdo: Tenebrae Responsories for Maundy Thursday offers a small slice from the liturgy used for Holy Week. All tracks are superbly performed. The voices weave together to form a solid fabric of stunning polyphony. The responsories, here, are divided into three sets beginning with lessons from the Lamentations of Jeremiah. Gesualdo, an eccentric Italian prince and one of the Renaissance's more innovative composers, is best remembered for killing his wife and her lover while they were in bed together. His guilt over this shocking and passionate act is said to be mirrored in his music with its chromatic and often indulgent lines. The music is liturgical in nature, but this recording can be appreciated inside and out of the sanctuary.

Songlist: Lectio 1, Responsories from 1st Nocturn:, - In Monte Oliveti, - Tristis est anima mea, - Ecce vidimus eum, Lectio 2, Responsories from 2nd Nocturn:, - Amicus meus osculi, - Judas mercator pessimus, - Unus ex discipulis meis, Lectio 3, Responsories from 3rd Nocturn:, - Eram quasi agnus innocens, - Une hora non potuistis, - Seniores populi consilium, Benedictus, Christus factus est

Review: The disc, with selections drawn from texts for the Lenten and Easter seasons, describes the human experience as it moves from darkness to light, from enslavement to liberation, and from suffering to joy.Ê Included are works by Parry, Ives, Stanford, and Opus 7's composer-in-residence, John Muehleisen.

Songlist: Chichester Mass, De profundis, Long Since in Egypt's pleneous land, Drop. drop slow tears, Crux fidelis, Fac me tecum, 67 Psalm, Veni, cretor spiritus, And I saw a new heaven, Coelos ascendit bodie, God is gone up, Hark, I hear the harps eternal, Never weather-beaten saile

Review: The great Spanish composer and priest, Victoria, devoted his life to writing supremely uplifting and intense music throughout the church calendar. The Call of the Beloved includes some of the earliest triple-choir music ever to be published and is a reminder of Victoria's joyous and passionate music, complementing his more austere Requiem and music for Holy Week. 'If one can ever achieve complete emotional expression through the power of music, then here it is.' - Harry Christophers. 'This is a beautifully prepared and rewarding recording that deepens our appreciation of one of the greatest masters of the renaissance.' - Gramophone

Songlist: Motet: Laetatus sum a 12, Missa: Laetatus sum a 12, Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus , Benedictus , Agnus Dei , Hymn: Veni creator spiritus a 4 , Motet: Vadam et circuibo civitatem a 6 , Motet: Vidi speciosam a 6, Hymn: Ad caenam Agni providi a 4, Magnificat Sexti toni a 12

Review: The St. Petersburg Chamber Choir and their director, Nikolai Korniev, show off subbasement basses, soaring sopranos and a rich, well-blended sound in 'Russian Easter,' a group of eleven settings for Easter worship by Alexander Grechaninov, Dmitri Bortnyansky and other masters of Russian church music. The compositions were written variously from the 18th century through the present, but all stay true to the spirit and aesthetic of the Orthodox tradition. Those who find plainchant a little on the monotonous side but are still looking for a spiritual element in music will find much to admire and enjoy in these beautifully sung presentations.

Songlist: Alleluia Behold The Bridegroom , Gentle Light , Of Thy Mystical Supper , The Wise Thief , Let All Moral Flesh Keep Silent , In The Flesh Thou Didst Fall Asleep, The Paschal Hours , Paschal Hymn To The Virgin, To Day All Creation , Come O People, Give Ear To , My Prayer

Review: Haunting performances by the Tallis Scholars of music reflecting the dark and anguished emotions of Holy Week. As Easter music, this CD is a perfect addition to the St Matthew and St John Passions. - 'Turning to the Tallis Scholars is a reminder of how supremely good Peter Phillips and his singers really are. It is like the move from an ordinary family car to a high-octane Ferrari, a magnificently honed machine in which every component functions superbly.' (Gramophone)

Songlist: Lamentations I, Lamentations I , Lamentations II, Lamentations , Lamentations (5vv), Lamentations For Holy Saturday (Lesson 3, 6vv)

Review: Volume IV of Seasonal Carols Old & New is an exciting new venture into previously unexplored territory. Apart from a small number of Easter carols, there has been little music available for festivals other than Christmas. In Seasonal Carols Volume IV all the main seasons are represented, and in addition festivals such as Corpus Christi, Candlemas, The Transfiguration of Saints' Days receive timely attention. As a complete contrast and in a secular vein, a new rustic mixedvoice arrangement of King Henry VIII's 'Pastime With Good Company' has been added. This volume is intended to give churches, schools and colleges a wide selection of material that will help to add a richer feeling to a liturgically - based Christian year.

Songlist: A Lenten Prayer , A Carol for Lent, A Song for Holy Week, Christ the Lord is Risen, Easter Day, Christ ist erstanden, Water from the Wells of Salvation, In this sign conquer, I am with you - Yes to the end of time, Spirit of God, A Whitsun Hymn, Be present, Holy Trinity, By day and night they sing, Taste and See, Alleluia, Sing to Jesus, The Old Man's King, O Lord of Hosts, All Heaven Possessing, Saints Alive, A Carol to Mary, Carol for Peace (Kum ba Yah), A Carol for Unity (Peace Depends on Unity), Pastime with Good Company

Review: A powerful setting for 8-part choir of three of the Good Friday responses at matins: 'Tenebrae factae sunt,' 'Tradiderunt me' and 'Iesum tradidit impius.' Commissioned by Cappella Nova and recorded by them on Linn Records. 20 minutes.

Songlist: Tenebrae factae sunt, Tradiderunt me, Iesum tradidit impius

Review: This volume contains works for mixed voices pertaining to Christmas and the Easter season.

Songlist: Adjunk halat immar (Graces soient rendues), Adorna thalamum (Ekitsd fel templomod), Karacsonyi bolcsodal, Karacsonyi kirie, Mennybol az angyal, Napkeleti kiralyok, Nosza, lelkem!, O gloriosa virginum, O Jesule, Sancta parens, Szep kelet, szep nap! (ejev), A keresztfahoz megyek, Alleluja! orvendezzunk, Ascendit Christus, Bunbanoknak menedeke, Bunos lelek, En nemzetem (Popule meus), Fiam, Jezus, Golgotadon latunk, Ingrediente Domino (Viragvasarnap), Keresztenyek, sirjatok, Kiralyi zaszlo jar elol (Vexilla regis prodeunt) , Krisztus, viragunk (A), Krisztus, viragunk (B) , O Jezus, Jezus (O languens Jesu) , O languens Jesu , Orvendetes napunk tamadt , Popule meus, Surrexit Christus, Szent kereszted unnepere, Vexilla Christus inclyta , Vexilla Regis prodeunt , Vilagmegvalto Jezus

Review: This collection aims to provide a comprehensive survey of a highly significant part of the Christian Year: Ash Wednesday and Lent, Passiontide, Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter. Its contents span all musical periods of what is a marvellously rich area of church music and it contains much that is not widely available elsewhere under one cover. Ash Wednesday to Easter for Choirs includes a number of less familiar works together with new or recent arrangements of well-known tunes, such as Philip Ledger's 'This joyful Eastertide', Simon Lindley's 'Now the green blade riseth', and Bob Chilcott's setting of 'Were you there?'. Some of the anthems, for example Richard Shephard's 'Sing, my tongue' and Grayston Ives' 'Ride on', have been newly commissioned specifically for this collection, thus filling certain gaps. Wherever possible new practical performing editions of 16th-century repertoire have been prepared, reflecting current scholarship and including an English singing translation and, where, the original had none, a dynamic scheme. Such dynamics are the editors' suggestions only and may be freely ignored or adapted. Note values have in some instances been halved. Unaccompanied items include keyboard reductions for rehearsal.

Songlist: Lent Prose, Civitas sancti tui (Bow tine ear, O Lord), Lord, for thy tender mercy's sake, The Litany (BCP), The Litany (ASB), Peccantem me quotidie, Agnus Dei, Like as the Hart, Drop, drop, slow tears, Wash me throughly, Christus factus est, The Lamentation, Jesu, grant me this I pray, God so loved the world, Ecce quomodo moritur justus, Adoramus te, Christe, God so loved the world, The Feast of Palms, Hosianna dem Sohne Davids, Hosianna to the Son of David, Ride on, Ingrediente Domino, Pueri Hebraeorum, In the heart where love is abiding, Pange lingua / Of the glorious Body telling, Tantum ergo, Ave verum corpus, A new commandment, Sing, my tongue, In the departure of the Lord, Were you there?, O vos omnes, O mortal man, Crux fidelis, Eheu, sustulerunt, The Reproaches, Popule meus, Easter Alleluias: Antiphon with psalm tone / plainchant alleluia, I saw water (Vidi aquam), Alleluia. Christus surrexit, Psalm 114, Joy is Come!, Light of the World, Most gloriuous Lord of Life, This joyful Eastertide, Now the green blade riseth, Christ the Lord is risen again!, Surrexit Christus hodie, Easter Anthems, The Easter Song of Praise, Ye choirs of new Jerusalem, O sons and daughters, He is risen

Review: Taken from the first arrangements on which Robert Shaw and Alice Parker collaborated, these titles were selected from hundreds of familiar and forgotten works for their musical and poetic excellence. The arrangements were made as simple as possible in order to let the words shine through the choral tone and texture while achieving variety from changes in voicing in a constant effort to reflect the most subtle articulations of the text. The earliest song in this collection is the ancient chant 'Christ the Lord Hath Risen.' Other familiar hymns come from the sacred tradition: 'The Strife is O'er,' and 'O Sons and Daughters.' The re-telling of the Easter story, and the joy of the Easter season, should shine forth through the singing of these songs. Listen, re-enact and give voice to the central mystery, in order that all who hear may join the celebration.

Songlist: This Joyful Eastertide, Christ The Lord Hath Risen, Hilariter, Lord Christ, When First Thou Cam'st To Men, Love Is Come Again, O Sons And Daughters, On Easter's Morn, The Strife Is O're, Easter Eggs

Review: This 90-minute concert was especially recorded at LSO St. Luke's in London as a finale to the Sacred Music TV series. The concert, performed by Harry Christophers & The Sixteen and presented by Simon Russell Beale, features a selection of glorious music from the Sacred Music series culminating in Allegri's famous 'Miserere.' Playable in all regions. Approximate run time 90 minutes.

Songlist: Vexilla Regis, Gloria from Missa Papae Marcelli, Viderunt omnes, Super flumina Babylonis, Quomodo cantabimus?, Komm, Jesu, komm, Salvator mundi, salva nos, Ye sacred muses, Stabat Mater, Agnus Dei from Mass For Four Voices, Haec Dies, Miserere, Assumpta est Maria

Review: Who needs the piano when the voices sound this good on their own? Joseph Graham and David Angerman provide a real winner with this unique approach to the Easter celebration. The highly animated original gospel tune 'Hear The Music! Jesus Is A-Risen!' makes use of the traditional spiritual My Lord, What a Morning! but turns the text a bit to make it ideal for Easter acclamations. Here is a classic approach to the quintessential Christ the King anthem 'Crown Him With Many Crowns'. An a cappella section and verse with descant color this anthem for a spectacular presentation. There are lots of options with this ideal opener or congregational participation number. Written in Haitian 'rara' style, Alelouya by Emile Desamours captures the celebratory nature of this musical style in an exuberant anthem proclaiming Christ's resurrection. Sung a cappella in the Haitian Creole dialect with finger snaps and tongue clicks, the joy and ecstasy of Easter overflow. For choirs that may find the Haitian text a bit too challenging, Alelouya will also be very effective performed using the English text. This is a truly electric piece! The useful collection of a cappella benedictions 'Three Linten Benedictions' from David Angerman and Barbara Furman is especially designed for use during Holy Week and Lenten services. There is not much service music devoted to this important time and this needful trio will be helpful indeed. The organ may quietly play with the singers for ease of performance. Introspective. The vigorous vocal fugue, sung a cappella, would make a dynamic worship opener for Easter. Written in classical style, the opening vocal lines imitate a trumpet fanfare. Descriptive text and evolving layers of color and texture make this fresh resurrection anthem a true delight. The title says it all... 'Easter Song of Triumph'.

Songlist: Hear The Music! Jesus Is A-Risen!, Crown Him With Many Crowns, King Jesus Is Arisen!, Alelouya, Three Linten Benedictions, Tenebrae, Easter Song Of Triumph

Review: 'Choral Sentences for Holy Week and Easter' includes four 'choral pictures' suitable as introits or short anthems. Palm Sunday- patient, plodding donkey carrying Jesus into Jerusalem; Maundy Thursday-prayerful petition; Good- plaintive melody with mournful accompaniment; Easter- women trudging to the tomb only to discover that Christ has risen! Based on PETERSFIELD (Harmonia Sacra, 1832), 'Savior, Prince of Israel's Race' has open harmonies with Sopranos and Tenors singing melody, reflectin early American compositional/singing style. The premise of 'Mary Wept' shows the strength of Mary in the adversity she suffered on Good Friday. Smith's 'Easter,' an arrangement of Ralph Vaughan Wiliam's composition, is a quiet and sensitive Easter anthem. Crisafulli's 'Come Away to the Skies' is a beautiful piece. Each stanza has a different setting. Useful throughout Easter season! 'A' sections of 'I Am the Resurrection' feature rhythmic repetition of title. Reflective 'B' section includes homophonic and polyphonic writing of Christ's promise: 'Whoever lives and believes in me will never die.'

Songlist: Choral Sentences for Holy Week and Easter, Savior, Prince of Israel's Race, Mary Wept, Easter, Come Away to the Skies, I Am the Resurrection

Review: 'Jesus Died On Calvary's Mountain' is a plaintive American folk-tune. It has a poignant 3-stanza setting with different vocal texture for each stanza. 'A Nobler Life' is a straight-forward chorale style setting combining two Thomas Kingo texts. 'Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days' is an easily remembered new 'American' tune. The melody is shared by men and women's voices in alternating stanzas of this Lenten anthem. Comfortably performable by a small or larger choir with optional solo. Written for the National Lutheran Choir, 'A Lenton Meditation' is a simple, yet lovely treatment of the familiar Johann Heermann hymn. The piece begins with the fourth stanza (For me, kind Jesus?) which quickly brings the listener to the heart of this beautiful text. The change in stanza sequence has a powerful affect in giving a meaningful new interpretation of this hymn.

Songlist: Jesus Died on Calvary's Mountain, Nobler Life, A, Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days, Lenten Meditation, A (Ah, Holy Jesus)