Choral Arts Northwest

Review: 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.

Songlist: Jeg er sa glad, Organ chorale: Af Hoiheden oprunden , Den yndigste rose , Deilig er den himmel blaa , Organ chorale: Nun komm der Heiden Heiland , Ave Maris Stella , O makalosa stjarna , Organ chorale: Guds Son har gjort mig frie , Ave Maris Stella , O Jul med din glede, Organ chorale: Gammal fabodpsalm fran Dalarna , Gloria in excelsis Deo , Jul, jul, Stralande jul! , Organ toccata: Fra himlen hoyt jeg kommer her , Ave Maria , Swedish Christmas Medley , Organ: Sinfonia da chiesa Vretblad

Review: 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.

Songlist: 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

Review: The 'Pure Sound' of Choral Arts under their new director, Robert Bode presents several world premiere recordings, including The Dream Keeper, a piece in four movements, each featuring a different text from Langston Hughes. Other pieces feature the poetry of Dylan Thomas, Walt Whitman and the conductor. In the recording they explore 'Mornings,' not just the actual beginning of the day, but also more metaphorical associations, such as renewal, childhood, and beginnngs. There are some very familiar things on this CD, including the spiritual 'My Lord, What a Mornin'' and the American hymn 'Shall We Gather at the River?' The CD also features 5 previously unrecorded pieces, including 'The Dream Keeper' by William Averitt and the first recording of the version for chorus and piano of John Corigliano's 'Fern Hill.'

Songlist: My Lord What A Mornin', Sunrise, The Waking, Fern Hill, Dawn, A Child's Prayer, In Dreams, The Dream Keeper, Dream Variations, As I Grew Older, Song, Will there really be a morning, Beautiful River

Review: 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!

Songlist: The Best of Rooms (Robert Herrick), Two Herbert Settings (George Herbert):, - Antiphon, - Bitter-sweet, The Last Invocation (Walk 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, Five Love Songs:, - 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)