The perfect way to enjoy the holiday season, little tree features Kantorei's favorite live recordings from their last several Christmas concerts. Featured on recording are two wonderful settings of e.e. cummings' holiday text, 'little tree.' The first, by composer Steven Heitzeg, features the choir accompanied by harp in a soft, contemplative setting. Heitzeg's composition is contrasted by that of world-renowned composer Eric Whitacre, who sets the text for choir with piano accompaniment in a warm, joyous setting. Also included on the CD are several heart-warming arrangements of familiar holiday carols including 'I Saw Three Ships,' 'Away in a Manger,' and audience favorite, 'Silent Night.' Sure to become a holiday classic, little tree will no doubt usher in the warmth and joy of the Christmas season.

Denver-based 36 mixed-voice semiprofessional choir Kantorei has grown from a group of six friends singing carols in 1997 to a respected group that has appeared at Carnegie Hall for the National ACDA Conference, and been conducted by Rene Clausen in a premiere performance of his work. Esteemed director Richard Larson has been a major factor in the group's rise. 'Home' is the group's fifth very good CD, and is a collection of 21 folk songs and spirituals. Picking favorites is not easy, there are excellent solos on 'Let Me Fly ,' 'Dere's No Hidin' Place,' 'Ezekiel Saw de Wheel ' and 'City Called Heaven.' Folk tunes 'Black is the Color,' 'Danny Boy,' and 'Wearing of the Green ' are wonderful. And we can't forget the four tunes arranged by the late Moses Hogan, 'The Battle of Jericho' 'You Better Min' How You Talk ,' 'I Can Tell the World' and 'My Soul's Been Anchored.' Another winner for Kantorei! Recommended.

Pillars of Light is a collection of pieces by Rene Clausen, Morten Lauridsen and Eric Whitacre. Lauridsen's 'Ave Maria' is absolutely gorgeous with its indulgent harmonies. 'Veni' was written by Clausen for Kantorei and is premiered here. Whitacre's 'i thank you god for most this amazing day' is a very tranquil setting of the e.e. cummings poem. All of these pieces are great examples of the beauty that can come from modern choral compositions. The warm rich often dissonant sounds envelop the listener.

Kantorei began in 1997 as a group of 6 friends who got together to sing Christmas carols. The group has grown to a 32-voice mixed ensemble, attracting some of the best vocal talents. From medieval texts to 20th century tonalities, the Christmas journey begins with 'Star in the East,' a suite of 3 dramatic Appalachian carols, accompanied by hammered dulcimer, including 'Rise Up Shepherd,' which was originally published as a slave song in 1867. Herbert Howells' 'Long, Long Ago,' John Paynter's 'The Rose,' a lilting, joyous 'Sing We Now of Christmas,' a lovely soprano solo on 'Some Children See Him,' a fine 'Ding Dong! Merrily On High,' Lauridsen's 'O Magnum Mysterium,' Rutter's sweet 'There Is A Flower,' a moody 'Carol Of The Birds' and Robt. Young's 'There Is No Rose of Such Virtue'Ðthis collection welcomes the diverse spectrum of Christmas sentiment across miles and centuries. Beautiful and recommended.

Richard Larsen and his choir Kantorei have been garnering great acclaim in recent years and their latest release shows why. The lovely name of the recording 'Small Blue Marble' refers to the world as it showcases choral music from around the globe including songs from Thailand, South Africa, Nigeria, Spain, Scotland, Cuba, Israel and many others. Larsen has selected some intriguing compositions that celebrates the unity and diversity of cultures thru choral music and the choir singing is top-notch even when challenged to imitate a variety of Latin American percussions instruments while navigating dense choral structures.

Listen to Barbara Allen in RealAudio.