Gregg Smith Singers

Discography

America Sings - The Founding Years

Music from the Ainsworth and bay Psalters: -Ainsworth psalms -Bay Psalms Sacred Music of the Revolutionary Period The Eight Songs for Solo Voice and keyboard of Francis Hopkinson Music from 18th Century American Tune Books Music of the American Moravians Secular Music of the American Revolution

This is a comprehensive, 2 CD collection (complete with extensive liner notes) of American-composed vocal music, performed by talented mixed-voice ensemble The Gregg Smith Singers. CD I begins with 21 short cuts of pre-Revolutionary War Music from the Ainsworth and Bay Psalters like "Oxford Tune," "York Tune" and "No. 100" (Old Hundredth), Sacred Music of the Revolutionary Period, like Wm. Billings' Canon "Thus Saith the High, the Lofty One," and the anthems "Behold, I Bring You Glad Tidings" and "O Be Joyful in the Lord;" and The Eight Songs for Solo Voice and Keyboard of Francis Hopkinson, "Come Fair Rosina," "Beneath a Weeping Willow's Shade" "See, Down Maria's Blushing Cheek" and others. Disc II features Music from 18th Century American Tune Books, like "Psalm 148" from Walter's "Grounds and Rules," and "Standish, Isle of Wight" and "19th Psalm," from Lyon's "Urania;" Music of the American Moravians, like "O, Be Glad, Ye Daughters of His People," "I Will Freely Sacrifice To Thee," and "How Beautiful Upon the Mountains;" and Secular Music of the American Revolution, like Andrew Law's "Bunker Hill," the 4-part "An Homage to George Washington," and "Four Ballads," which include "My Days Have Been So Wond'rous Free" and "The Mischievous Bee." "America Sings" is a treasure-trove of beautiful music we've seldom or never heard, that fills us with inspiration and pride at the musical creativity of our founding composers, and the Gregg Smith Singers more than do it justice! Some light accompaniment.

William Duckworth - Southern Harmony

Consolation Wondrous Love Hebrew Children Solemn Thought Rock of Ages Cheerful War Department Condescension Holy Manna Bozrah The Mouldering Vine Mear Leander Sardina Windham Distress Nashville Turtle Dove Primrose Social Band

The 17 men and women of the Gregg Smith Singers, directed by Gregg, perform a piece written by New York City composer Wm. Duckworth, who was affected by "shaped note" (helping the congregation learn the tune by making the notes square, round, triangular and diamond-shaped) singing in rural churches. "Southern" is based on an 1854 hymn collection of the same name, and it is a parody in the ancient sense, not humorous, but a rewriting, paraphrase and commentary on the material. There are 20 songs here, divided into four books: "Consolation," "Wondrous Love," "Hebrew Children," "Solemn Thought," "Rock of Ages," "Cheerful," "War Department," Condescension," "Holy Manna," "Bozrah," "The Mouldering Vine," "Mear," "Leander," "Sardina," "Windham," "Distress," "Nashville, "Turtle Dove," "Primrose" and "Social Band." An intriguing choral piece, with orchestral use of voices, that goes off into surprising, theatrical melodic directions.

6783 CD $15.98

Jove's Nectar - Music of Edwin London

Estampie Celia's Hiccups Canon for Dizzy Dr. Lassus Strangers from the East Fanfaronnada Dirge with Bells Moon Sound Zone Psalm of these Days I Psalm of these Days V Bach (again)

Founded in 1955 by Gregg Smith, The Gregg Smith Singers have made over 35 US and a dozen European tours, and their recordings have won 3 Grammys and two Montreux Awards. Here the Singers perform the eclectic work of American composer Edwin London. Belonging to no particular school, Edwin's music is alternatively experimental and traditional, it is invariably deeply musical and beautiful. Often theatrical, sometimes literary, occasionally humorous (for instance the composed-out hiccups in the second movement of Jove's Nectar), London's music follows his own path. The surrealistic song titles give us a taste of the composer's unconventional mindset: "Celia's Hiccups," "Canon for Dizzy," "Dr. Lassus," "Fanfaronnada" and "Bach (Again)." There is some orchestra accompaniment on "Dirge with Bells," strings on "Moon Sound Zone," and kazoo and strings on "Psalm of These Days I." All in all, "Jove's Nectar" is some of the most out-there, and interesting, choral music we've heard!

6762 CD $15.98

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