For their 25th season, current NLC singers and alumni have compiled this two-disc collection of favorite works from the past years. These works were taken from 24 of the choir's recordings, beginning with tracks conducted by founder Larry Fleming, and ending with selections from Hymns We Love to Sing, Vol II, which was recorded in spring 2010.

Artistic Director David Cherwien, conductor, organist and pianist, leads the Minneapolis, MN-based National Lutheran Choir in this live, organ and piano-accompanied collection of 13 joyous hymns. We are clearly invited to sing this triumphant music along with the Choir, as the liner notes feature the lyrics of all the songs in unusually large type; with very little about the size, history or details about the Choir or Director Cherwein. It's all about the music, about the power and faith of this great American Choir. Some favorites are 'Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee,' 'Angels We Have Heard on High,' 'Down in the River to Pray,' 'Steal Away,' 'Standin' in the Need of Prayer,' 'When Peace Like A River' and 'Holy God, We Praise Your Name.' A quote on the back of the liner notes says in part, 'Joyful music leads us sunward. In the triumph song of life. Stars and angels sing around thee, Center of unbroken praise' 'Hymns We Love to Sing, Vol. II' is by a wonderful Choir that loves to sing joyous praises to God, and they invite us to join them!

The 60 mixed-voice National Lutheran Choir, directed by renowned Artistic Director David Cherwien, is 'dedicated to strengthening, renewing and preserving the Lutheran heritage of choral music through the highest standards of performance and literature.' It performs works from the entire spectrum of sacred choral music, with and without accompaniment. Their rich, diverse repertoire ranges from early chant to new compositions and from simple folk songs to complex choral masterworks. In addition to annual concerts in and around Minneapolis, MN, the Choir tours regularly throughout the United States, commissions new works, produces high quality recordings and is heard over the Minnesota and National Public Radio broadcast networks. 'From Light to Light' contains 19 tunes, some favorites are Brahms' 'Let Nothing Ever Grieve Thee,' Palestrina's 'Sicut Cervus,' Eric Whitacre's lovely 'I thank you God for most this Amazing Day' and 'hope, faith, life, love,' the traditional Shaker song 'Lay Me Low,' J. Aaron McDermid's four-part title tune, 'From Light to Light I-Earth, II-Fire, III-Water and IV-Wind;' the Negro Spiritual 'Hold On!,' Robert Hobby's 'There is Sweet Music,' Gerre Hancock's 'Deep River' and Alfred Schnittke's 'Concerto for Choir, Movement II.' Beautiful a cappella music from one of America's most magnificent Choirs!

A professional choir from Minnesota, the Choir perform selections from a divergent literature. This is a seasonal recording, emphasizing classical compositions, not carols, and is subtitled 'The Light Is Come'; loosely defined, the theme is the birth cycle of Christ. Works by Kodaly, Clausen, Poulenc, Bach, Christiansen and others are performed, with the exception of Dave Brubeck's 'Gloria,' a flamenco arrangement, and the recording's wild card. Several of the tracks are accompanied, such as 'This Is The Christ,' but with pristine and restrained orchestrations, lovely indeed. In keeping with the CD's seraphic motif, the choir's tone color is one of brilliance and purity.

Founded in 1986 by Dr. Larry L. Fleming, and now directed by Dr. David Cherwien, the Minneapolis-based, mixed-voice NLC is comprised of professional choral musicians. 'I Sing' is a limited edition CD, celebrating the Choir's 2003 West Coast Tour. Included are 9 songs, the spirituals 'Ain'a That Good News' and 'Tell 'em I'm Gone,' the title tune, M.A. Blakireff's 'Send Out Thy Light,' Urmas Sisask's 'Oremus,' 'Prayer for Peace' (by director Cherwein), Barber's 'Lamb of God' and Tavener's 'Song for Athene.' Beautiful and inspirational.

Founded in 1986 by music director Dr. Larry L. Fleming, The National Lutheran Choir is one of the best, and most prolific, mixed-voice choirs in the world. Fleming has arranged many of the 18 songs on 'Trinity,' which is divided into three sections, 'Father,' ('Praise God,' 'My Gracious Master'); 'Son,' ('He Is the Lonely Greatness,' 'All My Trials,' 'Lord Jesus,' 'Ride On, King Jesus'); and 'Holy Spirit,' ('Hymn of Justinian,' 'If You Love Me,' 'The Dove Descending' and 'Grant Unto Me'). Timeless spiritual music, sung with grace and feeling by the talented NLC.

Prolific, talented, Minneapolis-based, mixed-voice NLC, conducted by founder Dr. Larry L. Fleming (with guest conductors Paul Brandvik and Rene Clausen), brings us a joyful collection of Christian spiritual songs on 'Pacem.' Included in the 22 songs are the spirituals 'Ain't Got Time to Die,' 'O Mary, Don't You Weep,' 'Come Away to the Skies' and 'I Got Shoes.' There's a special collection of 5 narrated Biblical songs, arranged by Fleming, called 'The Innocents,' that include'Can you hear the voice of the children' and 'I love you, my sweet children, who are gone;' lovely and moving music.

Hymn CDs are among our best sellers, and this one represents a Lutheran flavor of hymn singing and arrangements that is beautifully done. With varied arrangements by conductor and organis, David Cherwien, this large choir from Minnesota has produced a CD that is guaranteed to have you singing along with hymns like 'Beautiful Savior,' 'A Mighty Fortress,' and 'Abide with me.'

Minnesota's renowned, mixed-voice National Lutheran Choir, ably led by composer/arranger Fleming, begins this powerful 8-song collection with a 16-minute 'Folk Hymn Suite' that features works from Spanish, Russian, Norwegian, Jewish, Irish, German, Black Spiritual, French and Swedish musical traditions, lightly accompanied. Following are several favorites, including the 14th century plainsong 'Sing and Ponder,' Wm. Billings' lilting 'I am the Rose of Sharon,' B.F. White's 'The Morning Trumpet,' 'His Voice' and the joyous 'Lord of the Dance.' Beautiful and inspirational throughout!

Minneapolis, MN-based National Lutheran Choir is comprised of professional choral musicians drawn from a 200-mile radius of Minneapolis-St. Paul, selected by auditions. Larry Fleming conducts this fine choir on 'Tree' in beautiful sacred classical works like Francis Poulenc's 'Vinea Mea Electa,' Antonio Lotti's 'Crucifixus,' Frantisck Tuma's 'Stabat Mater,' Karl Graun's 'Surely, He Has Bourne Our Griefs,' Josef Rheinberger's 'Dona Nobis Pacem' and the title tune by Paul J. Christiansen, who also did the arrangements for 'Create In Me A Clean Heart, O God.' Rene Clausen's 'Peace I Leave With You' and Felix Mendelssohn's 'See What Love' are also lovely. A wonderful collection by one of America's best choirs!

Review pending

The professional choral musicians of the National Lutheran Choir, selected by auditions held each May, are drawn from a 200-mile radius of Minneapolis/St. Paul for weekly rehearsals, and they represent the various Lutheran Church colleges and universities who have provided their undergraduate musical education. They perform literature from the entire spectrum of sacred choral works, all a cappella. A New Song, conducted by Larry L. Fleming, 'A New Song' is an eclectic, varied collection of sacred music not often heard or performed. Richard Feliciano's dramatic and brooding 'I Will Sing to the Lord' and 'My Friend Had a Vineyard' set the tone for the collection, as does Eskil Hemberg's dissonant, eclectic 'Signpost I.' Darius Milhard's 'Psalm 150' soars and surprises, Samuel Berber's 'Lamb of God,' George Oldroyd's 'Prayer to Jesus,' Durufle's 'Ubi Caritas,' Mark Gresham's 'Set Me a Seal' and Kenneth Jennings' 'Spirit of God' are sweet and lovely; Igor Stravinski's 'The Dove Descending,' Edmund Rubra's 'Hymne to God' and Normand Lockwood's 'Inscription from the Catacombs' have hauntingly dissonant harmonies. Each of these is a difficult-to-perform, rarely-heard gem, beautifully done by one of the world's most respected Christian choirs.

Minneapolis/St. Paul-based, world-renowned NLC brings us a bright, beautifully-wrapped Christmas gift, 'This Night,' their 10th excellent recording in the PAC library. This lovely collection of 18 songs, some lightly accompanied, of course includes standards like 'Lo, How a Rose,' 'Angels We Have Heard on High,' 'Coventry Carol' and 'Jesus, Jesus Rest Your Head,' but it's the lesser-known pieces that are a happy surprise. A wonderful pair by Conrad Susa, 'O Bethlehem' and 'On December's Frozen Ground,' Mark Sedio's 'Manger Carol,' Johannes Eccard's 'Over the Hills,' David Cherwien's 'Little Lamb,' and Anne Kilstofte's 'Children of Peace' are just a few of the songs that make 'This Night' a very special recording, and a holiday favorite for years to come!

'Soul' is a wonderful collection of Folk and Gospel Hymns and Spiritual Songs performed by Minneapolis/St. Paul's great professional choir. Conductor Larry L. Fleming arranges many of these tunes, and contributes one of his own compositions, the lovely, upbeat 'Go and Tell John.' 'Three About Jesus:' 'Every Time I Think About Jesus,' 'Give Me Jesus' and 'Ride On, King Jesus' are particularly fine, as is the Paul Christiansen-arranged 'My Song in the Night.' The rousing spirituals 'Saints Bound for Heaven' and 'In That Great Getting' Up Mornin'' are marvelous. The final piece, the 9-part medley 'River Suite,' (piano accompanied and featuring outstanding vocalist Tom Tipton) is incredible enough by itself to gain our recommendation for 'Soul.' Another inspiring, finely-crafted winner from one of America's finest choirs!

A wonderful collection of a cappella European sacred music sung exquisitely by this fine chorus.

David Cherwien directs the NLC, 2007 winner of the Margaret Hillis Award for Choral Excellence, through a program of popular French choral music, joined by organist Martin Jean of Yale.