July 25, 2006

Choir of St John's College - Mendelssohn, Sacred Choral Works

Nowhere is Mendelssohn’s creative psyche more poignantly exposed than in his choral works. His desire to create music rewarding for performers and listeners alike is everywhere apparent, as is his always mellifluous and gracious vocal writing. Most endearing of all are Mendelssohn’s worlds of dreamlike contentment, which cocoon the listener in a web of enchanted idealism. Hör mein Bitten (Hear my prayer) is the most popular of his small-scale choral works and was composed during Mendelssohn’s eighth visit to England in 1844, just before he began putting the finishing touches to his violin concerto. The piece conjures up the feelings of peace and contentment in the flowing melodic lines of the inimitable O for the wings of a dove, which is also on this disc in its famous English adaptation. All of these sacred works are radiantly performed by The Choir of St John’s College, Cambridge under David Hill in the first of a new series of recordings on the Hyperion label. 8333 CD 18.95

Posted by acapnews at 1:09 AM

July 15, 2006

Ragazzi Boy's Chorus - Magnificat - My Spirit Rejoices

Recorded at George Lucas's Skywalker Sound, the music Ragazzi Boy's Chorus to perform on this CD serves to set the scene for the United State premiere of Magnificat, by Canadian Composer Rupert Lang. The texts of the other works they sing on this recording also mix traditional Marian and Nativity music with music celebrating life through various human experiences. 8320 CD 15.98

Posted by acapnews at 2:38 AM

July 8, 2006

Bemidji Choir - A Diamond Glint on Snow

Dr. Logan directs Bemidji, MN's Bemidji State U's Bemidji Choir, Chamber Singers and MusiKanten in this lovely Winter/Christmas collection. Beginning with 16 selections by the Choir, including Andrea Gabrieli's "Magnificat," Thomas Weelkes' "When David Heard," the 3-part "Nocturnes" by Hildor Lundvvik, Edwin Fissinger's 4-part "Prairie Scenes," Eric Whitacre's "A Boy and a Girl" and Benjamin Britten's "A Hymn to the Virgin;" "Snow" continues with 3 pieces by MusiKanten, Tomas Luis de Victoria's "Judas, Mercator Pessimus," Lauridsen's "Dirait on" and Biebl's "Ave Maria;" and concludes with 6 selections by the Chamber Singers, including Wm. Hawley's "Siepe, Che Gli Orti Vaghi" and "Dolcissimi Colori," David Conte's "Ave Maria" and Orlando di Lasso's "Bonjour, mon Coeur." The beautiful, highly-trained voices easily handle this difficult, sometimes eclectic material. "A Diamond Glint on Snow" is a very special collection of sacred and secular music from the longstanding, excellent tradition (founded in 1937) of the Bemidji Choir, Chamber Singers and MusiKanten. 8315 CD 15.98

Posted by acapnews at 12:36 AM

Santa Fe Desert Chorale - Passion

Throughout history, the singing voice has been a vehicle for the expression of intense emotion. In Passion, the Santa Fe Desert Chorale performs a cappella settings that reflect the heart of human existence: passion for God, country, love and life itself. Although this recording of repertoire selected from the Chorale’s 2005 summer season is focused on music of the 20th and 21st centuries, it encompasses a wide variety of harmonic rhythmic and stylistic elements. 7979CD 15.98

Posted by acapnews at 12:23 AM