Christmas Choirs

Track Listings

1. Hallelujah

2. Once in a Royal David's City

3. I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

4. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

5. And the Glory of the Lord

6. Coventry Carol

7. Good King Wenceslas

8. Away in a Manger

9. Handel's Pastoral Symphony

10. Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring [Instrumental]

11. For Unto Us a Child Is Born

Tracks:

Quem Terra Pontus Sidera
Ave Maria (Gregorian Chant)
Alma Redemptoris Mater
The Angel Cried Out
Angelicas Milicias
Wherewithal Shall A Young Man...
Love Is A Beautiful Dream
This Heart That Flutters Near My Heart
Wild Grass
Labbra Vermiglie E Belle
Jeanie With The Light Brown Hair
Dulaman
Shenandoah
Spanish Carol
Love Is Letting Go
Blues In The Night
Wade In The Wate
We Shall Walk Through The Valley In Peace
Christmas Time Is Here

Amazon.com

With this disc, Chanticleer, the internationally renowned, all-male 12-voice chamber choir, celebrates its 25th anniversary. Presenting songs from earlier albums plus one not previously recorded, the selection displays the group's remarkable stylistic and linguistic versatility, as well as all the qualities that have made it famous: the impeccable precision and intonation; the pristine tonal purity; the deep, inner expressiveness; the infinitely variable range of colors, textures, dynamics and moods; and the incredible vocal control that allows voices to stand out as well as to blend into a seamless, sonorous whole. Not for nothing has the group been called "an orchestra of voices" with its ability to sound like a big band in chordal passages and to imitate bass pizzicati as well as patter-songs and gospel shouts. The sopranos take off into stratospheric heights with florid coloratura; it is hard to believe that these are male voices. The program ranges from Gregorian chant and liturgical music of the 16th and 17th century, through traditional and jazz-influenced folk songs and spirituals (some in deplorably bad arrangements), to works by contemporary composers. Chanticleer's mostly vibrato-less vocal style still reflects its roots in its original Renaissance repertoire, but the way the singers use their voices in the popular, jazzy songs makes one aware of the evolving kinship between the two traditions. Though primarily an a capella ensemble, Chanticleer is occasionally joined by various instrumental groups, from period instrument orchestras to a jazz trio, and Dawn Upshaw adds her radiant, smiling, unmistakably "real" soprano to a delightful, high-spirited performance of a Spanish Carol. This disc is a fine, varied sampling of Chanticleer's discography and should inspire listeners to search out all the complete albums. --Edith Eisler

Customer Reviews:

My idea of heaven.......2007-02-17

If you liked Norman Luboff's Song's of the Sea's "Shenandoah", the price of this CD is worth it alone. That's why I ordered the CD. I heard Chanticleer's version and immediately ordered it. The rest is just the icing on the cake.

Then there is the one Kiri Tekanawa (sp?) offering, which is the only female voice on the recording.

Wonderful, but not quite the best of I had hoped.......2006-07-18

Some great material truly shines on this album, but I wsih that the group had been a little less populist in their choice of repertoire. There is a little too many arrangements and folk-like material, with the exception of the wonderful "Dulaman", and I would like to have heard some more varied repertoire. That said this is an excellent starting point for this amazing group.

A treasury.......2005-11-06

As you can tell from the samples, the music here is amazing and covers a wide territory. It is less obvious that much of this is available on other CDs. I am confident, for example, that "We Shall Walk Through the Valley In Peace" is the same track that you will find on their phenomenal and highly recommended gospel collection, _Where the Sun Shall Never Go Down_, and I see a number of familiar-looking titles from other CDs. My advice is: if you're looking for a broad sample of the group's repertoire, then you can't go wrong here -- but if you've already got several Chanticleer albums, then you'll want to check your existing collection for potential duplications before buying this 'treasury.'

Chanticleer: A Portrait.......2005-10-26

This is a marvelous singing group of all males with a little addition of Dawn Upshaw on a couple of pieces. They are thourally amazing at what they can sing with Male Voices usually unaccompanied. Obviously they have good strong Contra-Tenors that can manage the high notes without any problems. I would recommend this album to anyone who enjoys vocal music, unaccompanied and like Male Voices

Average customer rating:

Incredible
Brand-new Christmas music from the Tabernacle Choir!

Sing, Choirs of Angels!
Mormon Tabernacle Choir , and Orchestra at Temple Square
Manufacturer: Mormon Tabernacle
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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America's Choir

ASIN: B0002ABTGC
Release Date: 2004-09-14

Tracks:

I Saw Three Ships
Away in a Manger
Shepherd's Pipe Carol
Still, Still, Still
Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy
Infant Holy, Infant Lowly
O, Green and Shimmering Tree, Good Day!
What Sweeter Music
Angels' Carol
Fum, Fum, Fum!
Candlelight Carol
Joseph Dearest, Joseph Mine
Silent Night
Oh, Come, All Ye Faithful

Customer Reviews:

Incredible.......2006-09-22

I have about 40 Christmas CDs, and this one is in my top 2 or 3 favorites. The orchestra compliments the choir so beautifully and the offerings here are varied and interesting. 5 stars!

Brand-new Christmas music from the Tabernacle Choir!.......2004-09-20

This brand-new recording of Christmas music from the Tabernacle Choir is marvellous. Recorded on their own "Mormon Tabernacle Choir" label, this is the choir's first recording of seasonal music, and it surpasses any previous holiday release that the choir has made.

Using the music of both John Rutter and the arrangements of Mack Wilberg, "Sing Choirs of Angels" enjoys a wonderful flow from track to track: from the propulsive "Fum, Fum, Fum" to the sublimely meditative "What Sweeter Music"; from the majestic "Oh Come All Ye Faithful" to a brand new music and lyric setting of the gentle "Still, Still, Still" there is something here for everyone. Listening to this recording brings a warm holiday spirit into my heart and home.

Recorded in the Tabernacle at Temple Square in Salt Lake City, and using the versatile Orchestra at Temple Square, the choir and orchestra sound luminous and warm; these new recordings truly are miles above anything the Choir has done before - the polish and feeling that they bring to these new recordings are stunning.

The booklet that accompanies the CD is beautiful as well, with full color photographs of traditional Christmas symbols, full lyrics, track by track commentary, and a glossary of what each Christmas symbol means. This is a quality gift to give to friends and neighbors to help usher in the Christmas season. Unreservedly recommended.

Average customer rating:

Beautiful Christmas Music

Sing, Choirs of Angels
Anonymous , Guillaume Dufay , Tylman Susato , Christmas Traditional , Vincent Lubeck , Johannes Brahms , Franz Xaver Gruber , Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck , Michael Praetorius , Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina , Zoltan Kodaly , Gustav Holst , Jacques Arcadelt , Johann II Strauss , Arnold von Bruck , Unspecified , John Francis Wade , George Frideric Handel , Felix Mendelssohn , Malle Babbe Women's Choir , and Leny van Schaik
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Paradise Road
Songs of Angels - Christmas Hymns and Carols
Christmas at Trinity
A Robert Shaw Christmas - Angels on High

ASIN: B00000DD8Z
Release Date: 1998-10-06

Tracks:

Come, Let Us Sing Together
Hail, Queen Of Heaven
O Joyous One
Sonata From Christmas Cantata
Silent Night
Glory To God In The Highest
O Christmas Night, More Beautiful Than Any Day
Silent Night
Praise The Virgin Mother Of Christ
Behold, Mary
Come, Ye Shepherds
Silent Night
Hail, Holy Queen
Queen Of Heaven
Hail, Mary
Mary Walked Through A Forest
Ave Maria
Ave Maria
Nonnenchor (From The Operetta Casanova)
Grant Us Peace
Ave Maria
Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming
Mary Had A Baby
I Saw Three Ships
Yodeler Prayer/Glory To God In The Highest/OCome, All Ye Faithful
Silent Night
Christmas Medley From Song Of Survival

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful Christmas Music.......1999-12-11

We first heard this CD on NPR while returning home from a business trip. We ordered the CD as soon as we could. The music is as close to perfect as choral music can be. The songs are short, so the pace changes appropriately. Most of the selections are familiar Christmas carols with a few surprises. We've sent copies to our friends to enjoy.

Mussorgsky-Stokowski: Pictures at an Exhibiton [Hybrid SACD]

Average customer rating:

Exceptional sound and knowing interpretation
Pictures, as a Revelation

Mussorgsky-Stokowski: Pictures at an Exhibiton [Hybrid SACD]

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Appalachian Spring (Multichannel/Stereo)
Saint-Saëns: Symphony No. 3; Poulenc: Organ Concerto; Barber: Toccata Festiva

ASIN: B000AMMSG2
Release Date: 2005-09-20

Customer Reviews:

Exceptional sound and knowing interpretation.......2006-03-01

Jose Serebrier assisted Stokowski in their days with the American Symphony Orchestra, the memory and motivation for the coductor to record his mentor's version of "Pictures At An Exhibition" in up to date 21st century sound, coupled with a number of other Stoki specialties.

Aside from the more Russian sounding "Pictures", what I enjoyed most here were "Night on Bald Mountain", the "Khovanshchina" conglomeration and the symphonic synthesis on "Boris Godunov". This adds up to about 40 minutes of exciting Russian music delivered with gusto in great sound.

The Bournemouth Symphony hardly play like understated Englishmen in this recording, which will tear a hole in your speaker or knock some dishes off the shelves if you aren't careful with your volume or subwoofer controls when you first play this thing.

This 5.0 SACD is the real thing right from the first few notes of "Night On Bald Mountain" that begin the program. On my 5.1 surround sound system it about knocked down the walls of my house. It brings new definition to the term "demonstration recording"!

Not long ago I wrote a review of Stoki's last remaining CD of his version of "Pictures At An Exhibition" in his own orchestration and scoring. Stoki dropped two of the French paintings and made everything else sound Russian by emphasizing low strings and deemphasizing brilliant brass. Serebrier carried the memory of his mentor's work forward in this recroding, which is destined to wind up on some "best sounding CD of the year" lists.

Pictures, as a Revelation.......2005-11-12

This recording of "Pictures at an Exhibition" came on the radio today as I was waking up. I had not heard the Stokowski orchestration before (is it true that the principal clarinet of the Philadelphia Orchestra was his ghost orchestrator?) and it was a revelation. The tried-and-true Ravel instrumentation will never be replaced, but this is a "Pictures" from a distinctly different corner of the hall, and a welcome departure. Serebrier and Bournemouth perform with exemplary precision and freshness, digging in where Stokowski's excesses can withstand some enthusiastic wrangling. If you love this Mussorgsky and want to hear it with new ears, here's your chance.

Mussorgsky-Stokowski: Pictures at an Exhibition

Average customer rating:

FOR A HIGH CHOLESTEROL ORCHESTRAL DIET
Not much Stokowski there.
A Naxos Triumph!
Leopold, Leopold, Leopold
Extraordinary recording by the Bournemouth Symphony and José Serebrier

Mussorgsky-Stokowski: Pictures at an Exhibition

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0009JVOKM
Release Date: 2005-06-21

Tracks:

A Night On Bare Mountain
Entr'Acte To Act IV Of Khovanshchina
Symphonic Synthesis Of Boris Godunov
Promenade
Gnomus
Promenade
Il Vecchio Castello
Bydlo
Promenade
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La Grande Porte De Kiev
Solitude, Op.73, No.6
Humoresque, Op.10, No.2
Traditional Slavic Christmas Music

Customer Reviews:

FOR A HIGH CHOLESTEROL ORCHESTRAL DIET.......2006-11-17

Comparing the arrangements of Pictures at an Exhibition by Ravel and Stokowski is a fascinating exercise. They both seem so characteristic of the two arrangers. The cool French aesthete (though with his own hidden daemons just like Mussorgsky) paints with precision but with impressionist or even post-impressionist hues. Here is Monet, Cezanne or, in the bolder pieces, even van Gogh. The Londoner who liked to assume the persona of some sort of Slavic shaman/maestro is given to bolder, brasher colours - Kandinsky perhaps? Both are masters of the orchestra. Both remain true to the essentially Russian spirit of Mussorgsky - perhaps even more so in the case of Stokowski. Which perhaps explains why he developed the bizarre suspicion that the two 'French' pieces in the Suite - Tuileries and the Limoges Marketplace - were by Rimsky Korsakov and therefore left them out altogether. Maybe it was because Ravel had, naturally, succeeded in making them sound so French in his earlier version. For the rest, Stokowski is more than up for the grotesqueries of the Gnome, the deep Russian darkness of the catacombs, the wildness of Baba Yaga and the splendours of the Great Gate. But it is Ravel who gets closer to the heart of the old castle and Bydlo.

As for the performance, Serebrier was the Sorcerer's Apprentice, having been Stoky's assistant for some years, and he elicits truly Stokowskian sounds from the Bournemouth Symphony whose strings almost (but not quite) approach the velvety richness of the Master's Philadelphians.

The rest of their programme is equally rich fare. The orchestration of Night on the Bare Mountain, made famous in Disney's Fantasia, seems to me far superior to Rimsky Korsakov's and (un-PC though it is to say it) even to Mussorgksy's own. Serebrier rightly brings out the OTT string glissandi and biting brass. The Symphonic Synthesis of Boris is a cousin to the similar syntheses Stokowski made from Tristan and Parsifal and, like them, provides a rewarding distillation of the opera's music in purely orchestral garb. Here, Stoky seems to stay closer to Mussorgsky's original sound than Rimsky or Shostakovich. The disc ends with a trio of Beechamesque lollipops, all predictably gorgeous, especially Stokowski's own Traditional Slavic Christmas Music where his youthful experience as an organist seems to come through in the tiered orchestration.

Maybe this disc will not tax the listener's intellect overmuch, but it will provide him with enormous dollops of orchestral pleasure. And at a budget price.

Not much Stokowski there........2005-12-28

Compare to Stokowski's own interpretation, I just wonder how Serebrier change these intense transcriptions into dull, flat, and boring experience. His speed is so mechanical, and wash a lot of drama out of the work. If you don't want to be Stokowski, fine, but remember this is Mussorgsky, not Bach-Stokowski.

Although no one can be like Stokowski himself, Bamert still trying hard to sound like Stokowski in these transcriptions. Serebrier, on the other hand, trying to offer his own view. Pitifully, he falls far behind Stokowski.

One good thing about this recording is its wonderful sound. Rozhdestvensky did show us how harsh sound can ruin Stokowski's Pictures at an Exhibition. The good sound quality here makes the Pictures at an Exhibition still a valuable viewpoint. Ironically , it is the superb recording reveal how flat the interpretaions of Boris Godunov, A Night on Bare Mountain, and Entr'acte to ActIV of Khovanshchina are.

If you don't have Stokowski's own interpretion on your collection, I would like to stop you from buying this recording because of lack of the Stoki's excitement here. If you looking for a Stoki-like modern recording of Mussorgsky-Stokowski, I would recommend Bamert on Chandos over this. However, if you already have Stoki's own interpretion, Serebrier can still offer a different viewpoint of these transcriptions.

Some additional information..
A similiar viewpoint of Stokowski's Mussorgsky can also be found in Oliver Knussen's interpretation. The DG issue with a better orchestra, Cleveland Orchestra, and probabily better sound effect, too. The sound there is more tense.

A Naxos Triumph!.......2005-10-25

For half the price of at least two competing labels that I know of, you can have this recording of Stokowski's most beloved transciptions. I bought this release mainly for the "Symphonic Synthesis" which Stokowski created to bring more popularity to the massive complete opera. You get 24 minutes of shimmering sound, competing with anything in the symphonic genre. In fact everything sounds great on this disc. Meastro Serebrier,(a protege and life long friend of Stokowski) the Bournemouth Symphony, and the engineers are all in top form and dedicated. It is interesting to compare the differences of the Stokowski arrangements. He comes off more horrific than Rimsky-Korsakov on "Night on Bare Mountain", just have a listen to those exagerated screeches of brass. In "Pictures" Stokowski in his own words stated he wanted to take Ravels French out of the work and give it a more Russian feel. Balance, tempo, and detail in specific passages of each picture may or may not achieve this. I do think his version is more spacious overall, and less congested in the concluding "Great Gate of Kiev". Stokowski eliminates two annoying pictures stating he didn't think the composer wrote them in the score anyway! Recall that Rimsky-Korsakov's original piano version included them. Were they genuine? Three miniature bonus works are included. Most interesting is the Stokowski composition "Tradional Slavic Christmas Music" based on Slavic themes, is brief leaving one wanting for more.

Leopold, Leopold, Leopold.......2005-10-20

One of my favorite episodes of BUGS BUNNY (perhaps my only favorite, I was never a big LOONEY TOONS fan) has Bugs getting in trouble while singing the song "April Showers" in the presence of an opera star. The man finds the rabbit annoying, and Bugs being Bugs decides to get the best of him. On an evening when the buffoon is singing, Bugs dons a wig that resembles the hair style of a great conductor, a caricature of Leopold Stokowski. As soon as Bugs enters the area everyone is all a buzz because Leopold has arrived. Bugs grabs the baton and begins conducting. I was probably twelve or thirteen at the time, and I felt rather sophisticated because I knew who Leopold was other than one of the husbands of Gloria Vanderbilt.

Stokowski was one of the most famous conductors of his day, and he was a well known musical arranger as well. His day was a time when symphony orchestras had regular arrangers who transcribed famous keyboard pieces for orchestra. They somewhat fell out of fashion in the 1970's but today there seems to be a renewed interest in some of transcriptions, recognizing the contributions of the musical arrangers. This release by Naxos has some of Stokowski's arrangements of some of Mussorgsky's music as well as a few pieces by Tchaikovsky and an arrangement of Slavic Christmas music.

Overall, this is an interesting disc. The arrangement of "Night on Bald Mountain" is not as fulsome as the more familiar Rimsky-Korsakov orchestration, but the differences in the two do illustrate the interesting tidbits on the score. The same can be said for his orchestration of "Pictures at an Exhibition." The Ravel orchestration, today's performance standard, has more power, and perhaps because of its familiarity more of an appeal, but some of Stokowski's arrangements have a smoother sound which seems to be in keeping with an art gallery exhibit. His orchestral arrangement of music from BORIS GODUNOV plays like a symphonic poem and does capture the mood of the work.

Listeners will find this recording both interesting, enjoyable, and since the "Bald Mountain" arrangement is the same as the arrangement used in FANTASIA, perhaps a bit nostalgic. It will also give people a new appreciation of Mussorgsky as a composer. Maybe Naxos can release another Stokowski transcription disc with his arrangements of Bach's music.

Extraordinary recording by the Bournemouth Symphony and José Serebrier.......2005-08-28

This is one of the most extraordinary recordings of the decade, as announced by Felipe Marsans in his review in Diario Las Americas. The sound of this demonstration recording is spectacular! The performances are extraordinary, inspired,
magnificent from the opening track (Night on Bold Mountain) to the unexpected final track: an "original" work by Leopold Stokowski, based on a known ancient Christmas tune. The little Tchaikovsky item is something to make the listener cry, as is the Entre'Acte from Mussorgsky's opera Khovantchina. The Boris
is a masterpiece, and the performance is incredible in every sense. The Stokowski orchestration of Pictures at an Exhibition, quite different from Ravel's and more Russian and tru to the original, will blow you off the room. I can't wait for the multy-channel versions to be released, on SACD and DVD Audio.
Extraordinary!
Stephen Bradbury
Oxford, UK

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Sing Choirs of Angels
Christ Church Cathedral Choirs
Manufacturer: Four Winds
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000005A80
Release Date: 1996-11-19

Tracks:

Sussex Carol
O Come, All Ye Faithful
Nativity Carol
Good King Wenceslas
Lullay, My Liking
A Babe Is Born
Away In A Manger
Sans Day Carol
Quem Vidistis
In Dulci Jubilo
Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day
Hodie, Christus, Natus Est
Nowell, Nowell: Out of Your Sleep
Puer Natus est Nobis
Noel Etranger
The Holly and the Ivy
I Wonder as I Wander
Ave Rex Angelorum
Masters in this Hall

An Advent Processions Based on the Great "O" Antiphons

Average customer rating:

Authentic advent music

An Advent Processions Based on the Great "O" Antiphons
The Choirs of St. Mark's Cathedral
Manufacturer: Loft Recordings
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Carols From Clare College

ASIN: B00005OAJX
Release Date: 2001-09-04

Tracks:

Let My Prayer Come Up
The Bidding Prayer
O Sapientia
Ecclesiasticus 24:1-8
O Sapientia
Collect
O Adonai
Isaiah 43:1-7
O day of God draw nigh
Collect
O Radix Jesse
Isaiah 43:1-6
A Spotless Rose
Collect
O Clavis David
Isaiah 22:20-24
Hark! the glad sound
Collect
O Oriens
Isaiah 41:25-27, 42:1, 5-7
Infinite Light
Collect
O Rex Gentium
Isaiah 45:8-13
Hosanna To The Son Of David
Collect
O Emmanuel
Isaiah 33: 20-22; 7:15-15
Lo, He comes with clouds descending
Collect
Luke 1;26-38
Gabriel's Message
Collect And Blessing
O come, O come Emmanuel

Album Description

This Advent liturgy, created by Peter Hallock, combines readings, hymns, chant, and anthems. The Compline Men's Choir sings in dialog with the mixed choir of the cathedral, directed by J. Melvin Butler.

Customer Reviews:

Authentic advent music.......2002-12-24

As a Benedictan monk, our community sings these O Antiphons during Vespers as well as includes the Biblical readings and hymns that are part of recording. The selections are on target and the etherial and timeless beauty of the singing is something we can only aspire to. The recording of Gabriel's Message is the most powerful one I've ever heard. When I listen to these selections, I feel I am in the antechamber of heaven. I highly recommend this recording for everyone.

Average customer rating:

A Favourite CD!!

Favourite Hymns for all Seasons

Manufacturer: Guild
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000025YOC
Release Date: 2005-01-17

Tracks:

Hanover: O Worship The King
All Things Bright: All Things Bright And Beautiful
Laudes Domini: When Morning Gilds The Skies
Woodlands: Tell Out, My Soul, The Greatness Of The Lord!
Veni Emmanuel: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Silent Night, Holy Night
Adeste Fideles: O Come, All Ye Faithful
Laudate Dominium: O Praise Ye The Lord!
The Crucifixion: Cross Of Jesus, Cross Of Sorrow
St. Fulbert: Ye Choirs Of New Jerusalem
Love Divine: Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
St. Albinus: Jesus Lives! The Terrors Now
St. Clement: The Day Thou Gavest, Lord, Is Ended
Praise My Soul: Praise, My Soul, The King Of Heaven

Customer Reviews:

A Favourite CD!!.......2003-12-07

Exactly what one would expect of a great English cathedral choir and organ! The choristers sing fully and clearly with no loss of enunciation -- as is sometimes the case when recording in places with less than perfect accoustics. I highly recommend this CD for anyone with a liking of church music.

What Child Is This? The St. Olaf Christmas Festival, Vol. III

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What Child Is This? The St. Olaf Christmas Festival, Vol. III
St. Olaf Choir
Manufacturer: St Olaf Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Love Divine, Illumine Our Darkness (#2473)

ASIN: B000050H9I
Release Date: 2000-10-04

Tracks:

Fantasia on Greensleeves
Lift Up Your Heads
Ruler of Heaven
Vox Dicentis: Clama
Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming?
Softly, Softly Fell the Snow
Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day
Salvation is Created
Hodie, Christus Natus Est
Oh, Come All Ye Faithful
From Heaven Winging
Shepherds, Shake Off Your Drowsy Sleep
From Heaven Above
Dance of the Shepherds
What Child Is This?
Carols For the Choirs
Praise the Lord, O My Soul
I Saw Three Ships
O Day Full of Grace
And God Said: The Day Shall Dawn
All Hail The Power of Jesus' Name

Rautavaara: Sacred Works for Mixed Choirs

Average customer rating:

Ethereal recording from a doomed choir
Legend
A rich and rewarding CD

Rautavaara: Sacred Works for Mixed Choirs

Manufacturer: Ondine
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Scandinavian Languages | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Choruses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Magnificats | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Rautavaara: Works for Mixed Chorus
Rautavaara: Vigilia
Rautavaara: Violin Concerto; Angels and Visitations; Isle of Bliss
Rautavaara: Symphony No. 7 "Angel of Light"
Rautavaara: Cantus Articus; Piano Concerto

ASIN: B000031X7E
Release Date: 2000-01-11

Tracks:

Credo
Canticum Mariae Virginis
Herran rukous
Psalmi 23
Psalmi 130
Magnificat: I Magnificat
Magnificat: II Quia respexit - misericordia
Magnificat: III Fecit potentiam
Magnificat: IV Suscepit Israel
Magnificat: V Gloria
Nattvarden: Psalm vid nattvarden I (Communion Hymn I)
Nattvarden: Psalm vid nattvarden II (Communion Hymn II)
Nattvarden: Kyrie
Nattvarden: Herdepsalm (Shepherd Psalm)
Ave Maria
Missa Duodecanonica: Kyrie
Missa Duodecanonica: Sanctus per cancrizan
Missa Duodecanonica: Agnus Dei in motu contrario
Rakkaus ei koskaan h
Legenda
Marjatan Jouluvirsi
Joulun Virsi
Avuksihuutopsalmi
Ehtoohymni

Amazon.com

Finnish composer Einojuhani Rautavaara may be the most exciting composer working today. His works are consistently good, rich in the folk traditions of his homeland, and, most important, challenging in concept but easy to appreciate. And that about sums up Sacred Works for Mixed Chorus, a collection of Rautavaara's masses, psalms, and hymns sung to perfection by the Finnish Radio Chamber Choir. Spanning 40 years (1953-1995) of his long career, Rautavaara's sacred music is less defined by any one religion than the entire concept--Catholic and Greek Orthodox texts sit side by side--and the composer never succumbs to predictability. Highlights abound: On "Canticum Mariae Virginis" and "Magnificat," bass and soprano voices exchange dialogue over the choir's mystical sonic backdrop; Christmas hymn "Marjatan jouluvirsi" (from the composer's choral opera Marjatta matala neiti) is simple and sweet; and "Credo" is a set of three variations on one motif--based on the composer's belief that "only difficult things are worth doing." In short, there's something here for everyone, and everyone should hear Rautavaara. --Jason Verlinde

Customer Reviews:

Ethereal recording from a doomed choir.......2004-10-15

I discovered Rautavaara's music a few years ago, and remain hopelessly enamoured of his choral music in particular. The works on this disc are no exception. The Magnificat and Canticum Mariae Virgines are especially compelling. And the performances by the Finnish Radio Chamber Choir are extremely fine.

Lovers of contemporary Finnish music might want to know that on 14 October 2004, the Finnish Broadcasting Company announced they will abolish the Radio Chamber Choir after the 2004-2005 season. The Chamber Choir was founded in 1961 and has premiered nearly 100 works.

Legend.......2000-02-22

On WOSU-FM this morning I heard "Legend" (until it was over I had no idea what I was listening to) and was enthalled enough to order the CD. I knew the music was contemporary yet it gave the impression of something ancient and austere. Richly colored choral blend yet not dark or heavy. Wandering and open yet not formless--at times almost sounded like a fugue. Not programmatic music, not a tone poem, yet visually suggestive of a winter landscape of ice and water reflecting unusual colors never seen before.

A rich and rewarding CD.......2000-01-30

I first discovered the works of this remarkable Finnish composer through his orchestral release "On the Last Frontier" last year. In this, the first disc to showcase his small-scale choral writing, I have discovered an instant classic. As explained in the booklet notes (written by the composer) these short pieces cover a forty-year time period, during which Rautavaara has explored his personal faith (he is Finnish Orthodox) through sacred writing for unaccompanied choir. The result is a striking and impressive programme with a wide range of expression and depth. As a composer, Rautavaara's greatest strength seems to be the skill with which he writes for any instrument, and in writing for choir he produces an amazing sound-world. At some moments, I did feel that I was hearing the influence of more familiar "New Mystic" composers (in particular Gorecki)- an example being the breathtaking opening to the second track, an extended piece in praise of the Mother of God. Nonetheless, at the core, Rautavaara is a truly individual twentieth century composer, and other works such as the first track- "Credo"- and the multi-faceted "Magnificat" halfway through reflect his distinctive voice.

I think this is a very addictive programme- not too long, but brimming with variety and placing the simple next to the complex. With regard to performance, the Finnish Radio Choir is immaculate- they give apt voice to each work and will have you hanging on every single note. To cap it all, the sound quality is without blemish.

I haven't found a choral CD this gripping in ages. I hope you will agree with me that it is one of the finest contemporary recordings ever made.

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