Larry L. Fleming

Review: 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!

Songlist: Folk Hymn Suite, Sing And Ponder, I Am The Rose Of Sharon, Humble Service, The Morning Trumpet, Jerusalem, My Happy Home, His Voice, Lord Of The Dance

Review: 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.

Songlist: Restoration, Morning Star, In Darkest Night, Come, Awake, I Beheld Her, Magnificat, Tota Pulchra Es, A Spotless Rose, Now, O Come, My Soul's True Light, Et Incarnatus Est, A Christmas Carol, O Magnum Mysterium, Shining Stable In The Night, Maria Sat In Cattle Stall, While Angels Sing, Gloria, Born Today, Come, Return, And On That Day, Hush, My Dear, In Dulci Jubilo, Now All Poor, This Is The Christ, O Light Everlasting