Boston Camerata

Review: An excellent companion to the other Christmas titles in this series here are some of the great Christmas songs of the Renaissance period. Traditional and early songs and carols from across Europe are brought to life by this wonderful vocal ensemble. If the holiday season stresses you out then you will be sure to relax during the listening of this recording of music from a far less frantic time.

Songlist: Rejoice Rejoice, Nowell: Dieus Vous Garde, Gaudete Gaudete, Behold The Handmaiden, Reading Luke I, Kyrie Elesion, E LA Don Don, Two Fantasies On "Une Jeune Fillette", Joseph Is Well Married, Une Jeune Fillette, Joseph Lieber Joesph Mein, Magnificat Quinti Toni, The Birth Of Jesus, Espirits Divins, Reading Luke II, Es Ist Ein Ros'Entsprungen, Riu Riu Chiu, Herod And The Magi, Wie Schon Leuchtet Der Morganstern, Reading Luke III, O Vos Omnes, The Shepards At The Cradle, Reading Luke II, Ungaresca, Nouvelles, nouvelles, Tau Garco La Durundena, Tura Lura Lura Lo Gau Canta, The Good News, Reading Luke II, O Magnum Mysterium, Singet Und Klinget Ihr Kinderlein, Bransle De Poictou, La Bona Novella

Review: Christmas tunes from New England, the deep South, Shaker spirituals, and European-inflected folk songs, along 'Joy to the World' and alternate lyrics to 'Adeste Fideles' and 'Auld Lang Syne'. The music is eerily beautiful in that bittersweet folk way and highlights include a gorgeous solo strophic tune, 'The Heavenly Courtier,' a hypnotic erotic Bridegroom spiritual, a few folksy close harmony tunes, and Jesus, the Light of the World (alternate tune for Hark, the Herald Angels Sing). The singing is both beautiful for hearing and insightful for listening, and even in the old warhorses, they play with an exuberance that makes the listener what to sing out loud. This is a disc to warm the coldest American Scrooge's heart, and will hold a proud place in my Christmas collection.

Songlist: Watchman of Zion, Kingsbridge, Bozrah, Baptismal anthem, A Christmas Hymn, A Virgin Most Pure, Boston, The Heavenly Courtier, Pretty home, Midnight cry, Wayfaring Stranger, Slow traveller, I wonder as I wander, Lullay thou tiny little child, Lovely Vine, Adeste Fideles, Still water, While shepherds watched, Sherburne, Fulfilment, Hush my babe, lie still and slumber, Jesus the Light of the World, Joy to the World

Review: This recortding is one of several in the highly successfule series of Christmas recordings from this fine ensemble. The music on this collection spans seven centuries (12th to 19th) and offers a wide and diverse range of compositions. Director Joel Cohen opens with a Hebrew cantillation of 'Isaiah's Prophecy' of the comming of the Messiah, moves on to a 10th-century Spanish setting of a sibylline prophecy, and then takes us to 12th-century Provence with 'Adest Pronsus'. The performances are always stylish and captivating.... a treasure and essential to your collection.

Songlist: Isiah's Prophecy, The Sybil's Prohecy - Iudicii Signum, Conductis - Adest Sponsus, Clausula - Oiet, Virgines, Hymn - Domino, Lauda - Conditor Alme Siderum, Reading - Verbum Caro Factum, Organum - On Frymae Was Word, Reading - Ludea Et Iberusalem, Hymn - Gedonis Area, Sacred Song - O Maria, Feu MAire, Prosa - Ave Maria, Responsory - Gaude MAria, Hymn - Joseph, Liber Nefe Min, Conductus With Refrain - Congaudes Hodie, in Dulci Jubilo, Hymn - In Dulci Jubilo, Reading - Hand By We Shule Us Take, Conductus - Lux Hodie.. Orientis Partibus

Review: The Shakers, best described as a Protestant Monastic Community, traveled from Manchester, England to America in 1 774. They formed several communities from Maine to Kentucky. As a major part of their lives, worship was enhanced by singing, which was considered one of the most important 'gifts' given to the group. The best known Shaker hymn, 'Simple Gifts' is the final song on this recording. Written by Elder Joseph Brackett ca. 1875, this hymn has become separated from its original purpose. Thousands of songs existed among the various communities and celebrated their religious beliefs as well as many historical occasions. The songs are simple folk like tunes that were sung in unison much like Gregorian chant. Occasionally, part singing and instrumental accompaniment were used, but this was a late addition. The melodies are beautiful, but merely serve as a vehicle for the importance of the words. This recording by the Boston Camerata features members of the Shaker Community of Sabbathday Lake, ME. This project preserves a very important part of American heritage.

Songlist: Come Life, Shaker Life, In yonder valley, Virgins clothed in a clean white garment, Mother, Father James' Song, Followers of the Lamb, Mother Ann's Song, I have a soul to be saved or lost, Heavenly comfort, A companion to stiff, Pinch'd up, nip'd up, I will fight and never slack, Celestial choir, Holy Angel, The lark, Nightingale's song, Holy Order Song, Learned of Angel, Laughing John's Interrogatory, I'll beat my drum as I march along, Mother's Warning, The Solemn BellMother's Cup of Tribulation, Sad Days, Encouragement, Verdant Valley, In Yonder Valley, Solemn Song, Turn to the right, O will you sing another song, The Spiritual sailor, Mother has come, Holy Mother's protecting chain, Simple gifts

Review: Golden Harvest is an assortment of Shaker songs collected from their many communities. This wonderful music consists of thousands of songs on various religious topics. This is quite miraculous considering that the entire Shaker religion had no more than one thousand members at a time in its two hundred year existence. Nearly extinct, the Shakers and their inspiring music, fortunately, will be forever remembered as a result of this great recording. As a bonus this CD features a conversation between Joel Cohen and the members of the Sabbathday Lake community.

Songlist: Stone Prison , Trumpet of Peace , Voice of the Angels of Mercy, Upon This Fair Soil:, O Zion Arise, Joyful Praises, Rights of Conscience, The Blessings of Peace, Holy Habitation, Thanksgiving, A Suite of Five Dance Tunes, Sweep As I Go:, Solemn Song of the Ancients, Mother Ann's Song, Path of Sorrow, Fall on the Rock, Sweep As I Go, Gift Songs: Birds:, Philomela, Mourning Dove, Mother's Pretty Dove, Consoling Dove, Gift Songs: Native Spirits:, Woben Mesa Crelana (Indian Song), He Haw Tallabo (Indian Song), Indian Song, Negro Songs, Pretty Home, Gift Songs: Heavenly Spirits, Angel of Light, Angel Invitation, Four Little Angels, Sweet Angels Come Nearer, Mother's Comforting Promise, Holy Order Song, O Come, Come Away, The Savior's Cheering Promise, The Golden Harvest:, Behold the Day, All Glean with Care, The Harvest, Angel Reapers, Light, The Angel Reapers