Sacred Love [Enhanced]

Amazon.com
Sting explores his shiny, happy side on Sacred Love, adding playful touches of techno to his smooth, vaguely multi-cultural pop sound. Like 1999's Brand New Day, Love sounds effortless and content, with expert musicians backing up Sting's gauzy revelations about love and life. The former Police frontman shakes things up here and there; DJ/producers like BT and Victor Calderone breathe life into tracks like "Never Coming Home" and "Send Your Love," while Mary J. Blige puts her smoky vocals to work on "Whenever I Say Your Name." "This War" takes a not-so-subtle shot at George W. Bush, as Sting gives his left-leaning fan base a thrill with lyrics like "Your daddy was a businessman/ and it always made good sense/ You know the war can make you rich my friend/ In dollars, pounds, and cents." Of course, Sting long ago cashed in his rebel cachet for adult contemporary oblivion. But even though this music is designed for broad appeal, it does so with the natural, unforced ease of a seasoned showman. --Matthew Cooke

Sacred Love,Sting,A&M,Adult Alternative Pop/Rock,Adult Contemporary,Pop,Pop/Rock,Rock,Rock/Pop

---

Sacred Love [Enhanced]

Average customer rating: spiritual americana Rich Heritage Superb Can't walk away from it! Mana from Heaven

American Angels Manufacturer: Harmonia Mundi Fr. ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music | Requiems Anonymous 4 | ( A ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Folk Songs | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Anonymous | A to B | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classical | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Gloryland Wolcum Yule: Celtic and British Songs and Carols - Anonymous 4 with Andrew Lawrence-King 1000: A Mass for the End of Time / Anonymous 4 A Portrait Of Anonymous 4 The Origin of Fire: Music and Visions of Hildegard von Bingen ASIN: B0001ADB4Q Release Date: 2004-02-10

Tracks:

1. Holy Manna
2. Abbeville
3. Wondrous Love
4. Sweet Hour Of Prayer
5. Jewett
6. Dunlap's Creek
7. New Britain
8. The Morning Trumpet
9. Resignation
10. Poland
11. Wayfaring Stranger
12. Sweet By And By
13. Blooming Vale
14. Idumea (I)/Idumea (II)
15. Sweet Prospect
16. Shall We Gather At The River
17. Amanda
18. Invitation
19. Parting Hand
20. Angel Band

Amazon.com

This, Anonymous 4's final recording, is a break from their usual "early music" periods and locations; it presents American music, religious in nature, from the 18th and 19th centuries. And it's absolutely beautiful from start to finish. Their normal, exquisite technique and purity here blend to sound the way we imagined the ladies' choir in church meetings in America past might have sounded: sweet, sincere, and with harmonies recognizable yet somehow fresh. Some of the songs begin with the women singing "fa, so la" exercises, which was called "shape note" singing because some places taught singing with notes as shapes--circle, rectangle, diamond, triangle. But it's the music that counts, and there are treasures here. They include two versions of "Amazing Grace," one familiar, one with an unusual melody and a piece called "Blooming Vale" which is as sophisticated as anything on their previous albums. "Shall We Gather at the River" is performed with a clarity and loveliness that makes us forget that it's normally sung as background to movies about the Great Depression. The foursome sometimes sing in rich harmonies and occasionally alone or in pairs or trios. This is glorious Americana and highly recommended. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

spiritual americana.......2007-01-06

I have some of the older Anonymous 4 recordings which are more medieval
and gregorian in style (I love them!). They move on to cover spiritual
basics of the 1800s. If you like classical music, perfect harmonies
and spiritual americina, then you will be blessed!

Rich Heritage.......2006-10-11

Anonymous 4 consistently produces exquisite and authentically beautiful recordings and this one presents early American hymns in ways few groups can manage. Some tunes are highly recognizable while others are 'new' to me but a refreshing reminder of the singing heritage of religious societies in times past. For those who enjoy old hymns and authentic renderings, this is a must buy.

Superb .......2006-08-07

This collection of American Christian music is not only an enthralling musical experience but a spiritually uplifting one as well. Anonymous Four have transferred their luminous vocal quality to a new space with perfect success.

Can't walk away from it!.......2006-08-07

My only "complaint" about the CD is that I absolutely HAVE to sit and listen to the entire thing whenever I start it up! I usually have music playing in the background while doing other things, but not this one! There are no tracks that I find myself wanting to skip over as in most collections. In fact, I usually find myself going back and listening to selected tracks again (and again and...) after taking the hour+ to listen to the whole thing through once.

These four ladies produce a unique and remarkable sound. I can't recommend it enough.

Mana from Heaven.......2006-05-08

I think the title of this CD is perfect. I first heard an interview for this CD on Public Radio and fell in love. I had never heard Anonymous 4 before then but look for all I can find of their music now. The title is perfect as the women sound like Angels and the music lifts the spirit. I find myself singing the old version of Amazing Grace all the time now. Incredible and a huge blessing to all who hear it.

Average customer rating: awsome CD Versatile Singer il divo ancora music Amazing... His wrost CD

Encore Russell Watson , and Leonard Bernstein Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Leoncavallo | Leoncavallo, Ruggiero | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Russell Watson · The Voice Amore Musica Reprise The Voice: The Ultimate Collection Russell Watson Live ASIN: B00006JI9W Release Date: 2002-10-01

Tracks:

1. Va, Pensiero (Verdi)
2. Volare
3. The Prayer
4. 'O Sole Mio
5. Ave Maria
6. Mattinata (Leoncavallo)
7. You Are So Beautiful
8. Somewhere
9. Che Gelida Manina (Puccini)
10. E Lucevan Le Stelle (Puccini)
11. Magic Of Love
12. Catch The Tears
13. Is Nothing Sacred?
14. Bohemian Rhapsody
15. Celeste Aida (Verdi)
16. Where My Heart Will Take Me (from "Enterprise")

Amazon.com

Following up on the release of his debut CD, The Voice, Russell Watson is back with Encore, another mix of opera favorites and popular songs. By now Watson has become virtually a household name--he sells out large concert venues and remains on the top-seller charts. On Encore, we find Puccini and Verdi sharing the billing with Lulu and Lionel Ritchie on the CD's 16 tracks, which range from the much-loved Bach-Gounod "Ave Maria" to "Where My Heart Will Take Me," the theme for Enterprise (the latest Star Trek TV series). Indeed, a more fitting title might have been The Voices, since Watson explores opera, sacred works, film, television themes, and pop songs. The orchestral arrangements on tracks such as "Va, Pensiero" may not win him any fans from the opera contingency, but Watson reveals a captivating sound on pop ballads, including "You Are So Beautiful" and "Somewhere." If you enjoyed The Voice, you're certain to want an encore. --Rebecca Agnew

Customer Reviews:

awsome CD.......2007-06-09

This CD is overall a wonderful sellection of music. I bought it for the one song and have enjoyed all of the songs on the CD.

Versatile Singer.......2007-03-30

Russell Watson has an incredible voice range & a very versatile singer. He even made me appreciate opera!

il divo ancora music.......2006-11-10

The book is wonderful. I love playing their music, its so great. Worth the money, no doubt.

Amazing..........2006-05-05

Russell Watson is amazing. It is truly a delight to hear him sing both the pop and the arias, for he performs both equally well. His rendition of Volare is very fun, and when he sings Somewhere, it's simply breathtaking. His duet with Lionel Richie was also splendid. They really did sound fantastic together. The two low points for me were The Prayer, because I couldn't stand Russell's duet partner, Lulu, and Don't Know How I Got By, because the song just didn't seem to suit Russell's voice. However, the other tracks more than make up for those few inferior selections. Russell Watson truly is a talented man, and I highly recommend this album.

His wrost CD.......2005-01-12

I have all 4 of Russell's Cd's and this is by far his wrose.
The Classical stuff is great but The pop stuff is some of the wrose pop stuff he has even done.

Average customer rating: One of my favorite Sting albums Listen now & later. Sacred Love Sting's best since "The Soul Cages" Least favorite of Sting's efforts

Sacred Love Sting Manufacturer: A&M ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Alternative Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Brand New Day Mercury Falling Ten Summoner's Tales Nothing Like the Sun ...All This Time ASIN: B0000C23DP Release Date: 2003-09-30

Tracks:

1. . Inside
2. Send Your Love
3. Whenever I Say Your Name (with Mary J. Blige)
4. Dead Man's Rope
5. Never Coming Home
6. Like a Beautiful Smile
7. Let's Forget About the Future
8. This War
9. The Book of My Life
10. Sacred Love

Amazon.com

Sting explores his shiny, happy side on Sacred Love, adding playful touches of techno to his smooth, vaguely multi-cultural pop sound. Like 1999's Brand New Day, Love sounds effortless and content, with expert musicians backing up Sting's gauzy revelations about love and life. The former Police frontman shakes things up here and there; DJ/producers like BT and Victor Calderone breathe life into tracks like "Never Coming Home" and "Send Your Love," while Mary J. Blige puts her smoky vocals to work on "Whenever I Say Your Name." "This War" takes a not-so-subtle shot at George W. Bush, as Sting gives his left-leaning fan base a thrill with lyrics like "Your daddy was a businessman/ and it always made good sense/ You know the war can make you rich my friend/ In dollars, pounds, and cents." Of course, Sting long ago cashed in his rebel cachet for adult contemporary oblivion. But even though this music is designed for broad appeal, it does so with the natural, unforced ease of a seasoned showman. --Matthew Cooke

Customer Reviews:

One of my favorite Sting albums.......2007-02-17

This album didn't produce any hits in the U.S. (although "Whenever I Say Your Name," the duet with Mary J. Blige, did get some radio play) but it is nonetheless one of the Sting albums - and I have all of them - that I come back to again and again. Sting has been singing about love since his days with The Police, but he reveals a more mature, though still passionate, perspective on this album.

My favorite song is "Send Your Love" which I appreciate for its energy and frankness: "There's no religion but sex and music."

Like many Sting fans, what I have admired most about his music is the poetry of his lyrics and this album does not disappoint. He is at his lyrical best on the brooding "The Book of My Life": "It's the book of my days, it's the book of my life / And it's cut like a fruit on the blade of a knife / And it's all there to see as the section reveals / There's some sorrow in every life."

The only exception to the warm and intimate atmosphere of the album is "This War" which is an indictment of world leaders who "Invest in deadly weapons/ And those little cotton flags/ Invest in wooden caskets/ In guns and body bags." But this song has something to say about love too in that it shows what the absence of love looks like.

Listen now & later........2007-01-10

I have this in my CD player in my car now. This is a second purchase CD.
I played it so much the first time, I wore it out.
LOVE IT! Makes me want to take a YOGA class.

Sacred Love.......2007-01-07

I have been a Sting fan for a long time. I liked him when he was with the police and I like him still. This album is great. I really like the song Stollen Car, because it has a great beat. I also like the song Never Coming Home. There were many times in my life I wanted to do what that song talks about. I think Sting is still a great musician.

Sting's best since "The Soul Cages".......2007-01-04

I am surprised by the many negative reviews of this album. I was afraid Sting was losing it with "A Brand New Day" but was quite surprised by how good "Sacred Love" is. I am still listening to this CD two years after purchasing it, which is saying a lot for me for a non-classical music CD. I like the way the songs flow into one another. Among my favorite songs are "Send One Your Love", "Inside", "Sacred Love", and "The Book of My Life"; also "This War" is moving as it is chilling - but I am a child of the sixties and I guess a sucker for a good anti-war song.

Least favorite of Sting's efforts.......2006-12-23

Perhaps being a sincere fan of Sting's work for virtually his entire musical career is the cause, but I found Sacred Love to be an utter disappointment upon unraveling. The songs hardly seem inventive, playful or rich as I found myself already tiring of songs by the second and third rotation. Though other reviews make the fair statement that we should not expect a Blue Turtles or Summoner's Tales 2003, I did not find a new, vibrant Sting in Sacred Love. Apart from the `new' repetitive/bassed-out beats serving as the heart of songs, I found quite the opposite to be true. While other new releases noticeably departed from Sting's previous works (most recently the apparent Eastern and techno-esque influences of Brand New Day's signature tracks), Sacred Love feels like a cherry picking of past songs. The album seems to play off Sting's love of bastardizing musical genres and easy listening tendencies, but this time, it feels he has modernized the abandoned pieces of old efforts. Though the album does feel cohesive and certainly light years better than I could ever hope to produce, the wish that these pieces had been left cast aside was the strongest connection for me.

Average customer rating: Wonderful entainment Beyond words ... Magnificent voices, songs and arrangements Not their best album Excellent !!

Sacred Irish Anonymous , Joe / Sprague, Billy / Carroll, Bruce Beck , Nicholas Brodszky , Gregorian Chant , Henri F. Hemy , Chuck / Shamblin, Allen Jones , Charlie Landsborough , John Newton , Stuart Townsend , Traditional , Irish Traditional , Shaker Traditional , Stevie Wonder , Arnie Roth , Orchestr Ceská Filharmonie , Anthony Kearns , Finbar Wright , and Irish Tenors Manufacturer: Razor & Tie ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Sacred & Religious | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music | Requiems Vocal & Song | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music | Requiems General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Irish Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music Ireland | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Celtic | International | Styles | Music General | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music Christian Contemporary Music | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Chants | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Hymns | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Classic | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: We Three Kings Heritage The Irish Tenors - In Concert With the Chicagoland Pops Orchestra The Very Best of The Irish Tenors Ronan ASIN: B000A2GP2K Release Date: 2005-09-13

Tracks:

1. Deus Meus
2. Be Thou My Vision
3. Morning Has Broken
4. My Love
5. If I Can Help Somebody
6. My Forever Friend
7. Shelter Me
8. Amazing Grace
9. To Do Your Will
10. Hail Glorious St. Patrick
11. How Deep The Father's Love
12. Lord Of The Dance
13. There's No Cross
14. I'll Walk With God
15. Salve Regina

From the Label

Sacred marks John McDermott's first recording with the Irish Tenors since rejoining fellow original member Anthony Kearns and Finbar Wright (who actually replaced McDermott in 2000). The Irish Tenors live up to their reputation as "gifted interpreters" with this collection, covering a wide range of spiritual material. Sacred was produced by the Irish Tenors' long-time musical director, Arnie Roth, who has also worked with Charlotte Church, Diana Ross, and Art Garfunkel. The album was produced in Prague at the Rudlofinum and ICN Studios.

More Recommended Titles

Ronan	Ellis Island	The Irish Tenors
Heritage	Rough Guide to Irish Music	My Life Belongs to You

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful entainment.......2007-07-25

We love the Irish Tenors. They are so great. We saw them in person and enjoyed the evening

Beyond words ..........2007-03-22

Having only recently discovered The Irish Tenors, nothing here was a repeat to me. And, even if it was, I can't imagine being disappointed.

If you are open to the idea that music can be a vehicle for a moment of sublime and sacred ecstacy, that may help convey what I find difficult to put into words.

While I live continuously and constantly in Our Father's presence, a music album such as this can certainly heighten the moment with Him.

Magnificent voices, songs and arrangements.......2006-06-17

This is an extraordinary collection. The songs are irresistible, the voices incredibly powerful and filled with appropriate emotion, and the orchestra is very simply great. You'll want to buy this album for others. Simply beautiful. A pure joy.

Not their best album.......2006-02-27

For the most part this is an enjoyable collections of sacred music. However the inclussion of "Lord of the Dance" and other modern tunes are dreary no matter who sings them.

Excellent !!.......2005-10-26

I recently went to a concert to hear The Irish Tenors. They did several songs from this CD and it was great. If you like John McDermott as much I do then you must have this CD. This is a triple good CD with 3 top tenors.

Average customer rating: A very different style of Hildegard ONE WORD- 'AWSOME" Very different. Hauntingly beautiful "Every Element Has A Sound" ~ Heavenly Visions Of A Medieval Mystic SUPERB MODERN CLASSIC

Vision: The Music of Hildegard von Bingen Richard Souther , Emily van Evera , and Sister Germaine Fritz Manufacturer: Angel Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Walker | Walker, George | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music | Requiems Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Hildegard von Bingen: Canticles of Ecstasy Feather on the Breath of God Hildegard von Bingen: Voice of the Blood Hildegard von Bingen: Heavenly Revelations Luminous Spirit ASIN: B000002SL6 Release Date: 1994-11-01

Tracks:

1. Praise For The Mother
2. Only The Devil Laughed
3. Vision
4. Song To The Mother
5. The Living Light (Instrumental)
6. Wherever
7. For The Virgin
8. For The Creator
9. This Honorable Fame
10. The Anointing (Instrumental)
11. For The Trinity
12. The Chalice
13. Divine Love
14. The Flower Gleams
15. From This Wicked Fall
16. Living Fountain
17. Vision: Full Length

Amazon.com

"Vision--The Music of Hildegard von Bingen"? Make that "Hildegard--the Dance Remix." (Yes, it has been used on the dance floor of at least one New York City nightclub.) What else can you call it when Richard Souther takes the stark, ecstatic plainchant of the 12th-century abbess and adds heavily produced electronic trance-and-dance tracks? Souther's additions aren't bad in themselves--they are a bit New Age-y, yet danceable in a druggy 3:00-a.m. kind of way--but slather them over Hildegard's spare, intense chant melodies and the effect is perverse, if not just silly. Don't blame poor Emily van Evera--she is a fine interpreter of Hildegard, and EMI simply asked her to record some unaccompanied solo tracks of the abbess's music and send in the tapes; she had no idea what was going to be done with them until this disc came out with her name on it. This shows up in the final product: the gently fluid pulse van Evera applied to Hildegard's music (which would make perfect sense in the a cappella performance she thought she was giving) feels completely disconnected from the rigid rhythms inherent in Souther's electronic accompaniment. Now, there are a number of customer reviews, below, from listeners who like this title a great deal--have a look at them, check out the sound clips, and by all means get this title if you're interested. But, if you're curious about Hildegard, go to the recording that made her famous eight centuries after her death: A Feather on the Breath of God. --Matthew Westphal

Customer Reviews:

A very different style of Hildegard.......2007-01-30

This CD isn't quite the shining example of Hildegard's music, but it isn't dissapointing either. The new-agey music and the chanting go well together, but at times the mix is a little akward, and it is those moments when it seems that the vocals are just stamped on top of the music that takes away from this album. Otherwise, the music is pretty rich and conjures epic and heavenly images. I'd have to side with the 'purists' on this one: if you're a stickler for authentic sounding Hildegard music, go for the other albums such as Luminous Spirit because this one might come across as a little weird.

ONE WORD- 'AWSOME".......2006-12-15

I have been a fan of music since before I was born it seems- I have almost all of her music- but this is the star on the night sky- people keep trashing this album /cd- I think this is the best of her visions/music and if you want to be swept away on clouds of tone and dance with angels of light then BUY this cd- I love to darken the house , light the candles and let this one spin again and again- listen closely to " for the virgin' it will make you want to play this over and over again-also this entire cd was recorded in the catacombs- how spiritual is that, music/thought/words/visions from years turned to dust and stone- may this cd bring you back to a time when the world was innocent and gentle/have played this along with Enigma and people can not get enough of this cd!!!!!!!!!!

Very different. Hauntingly beautiful.......2006-03-01

I bought VISION, THE MUSIC OF HILDEGARD VON BINGEN without even hearing it first. I couldn't resist the album's cover art and the premise of recording the chants of a 12th century nun with modern original scores. I was delightfully surprised at how well the experiment works. The tracks are absolutely beautiful and haunting. In listening to one of the chants accompanied by an almost jarring drum beat, I felt as if I were dropped deep into a dense African jungle where a safari of large powerful natives are escorting small white hooded nuns to some mysterious lost city. A very different, very intriguing, very fine work.

"Every Element Has A Sound" ~ Heavenly Visions Of A Medieval Mystic.......2006-01-29

Hildegard Von Bingen (1098-1179), 12th century Benedictine nun, abbess and mystic wrote some of the most heavenly spiritual chants, psalms and canticles in the history of the Catholic Church. Compositions that are so unique and universal in appeal that they were embraced by the 'New Age Movement' more enthusiastically then they were originally by her own Church.

Similiar yet subtly different from the lofty, remote gregorian chants sung in the monastery, the music of Hildegard is much more accessible. Her experience of the 'Divine Mysteries' is conveyed in more emotional and earthy tones, thus linking the higher aspirations of the soul with the passionate nature of the human heart.

'Vision' was performed and recorded within the stone walls of St. Andrew's Church in Toddington, England, an almost perfect location to capture the medieval atmosphere of Hildegard's compositions. The female voices involved in this project are a sharp and welcome contrast to the all male gregorian choirs most of us are more familiar with.

Truly a mystical musical experience has been captured on these 17 exquiste tracks. For the spiritual seeker in all of us!

SUPERB MODERN CLASSIC.......2005-10-26

SOARING, ETHEREAL voices are followed by haunting, vaguely Middle Eastern new age sound. HILDEGARD meets ENIGMA. It works. The purists make no room for this kind of interpretation of Hildegard but I remind you that the Louvre built a separate museum to house the Impressionist art not because they were so valued but because they did not consider it serious art and would not put it under the same roof with the classics. Time made buffoons of them. Listen to the sound clips and judge for yourself.

Average customer rating: Very pleased Sumptuous and mellow One of the Best Collections of English Madrigals A Delightful Collection of English Madrigal A wide variety

All At Once Well Met: English Madrigals; The King's Singers John Dowland , Thomas Morley , Thomas Weelkes , John Wilbye , William Byrd , John Farmer , and The King's Singers Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Byrd, William | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Dowland | Dowland, John | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Renaissance (c.1450-1600) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music King's Singers | ( K ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Madrigals | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Partsongs | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music A Cappella | Folk | Styles | Music $9.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Byrd, William | ( B ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Dowland, John | ( D ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music King's Singers | ( K ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Similar Items: English and Italian Renaissance Madrigals The King"s Singers: English Renaissance Olde English Madrigals & Folk Songs at Ely Cathedral Madrigal History Tour Annie Laurie ~ Folksongs of the British Isles / Barrueco · The King's Singers ASIN: B000002RPZ Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

1. English Madrigals: A Little Pretty Bonny Lass
2. English Madrigals: Weep No More, Thou Sorry Boy
3. English Madrigals: Shoot False Love
4. English Madrigals: Now Is The Month Of Maying
5. English Madrigals: Four Arms, Two Necks, One Wreathing
6. English Madrigals: Hark, All Ye Lovely Saints Above
7. English Madrigals: Since Robin Hood
8. English Madrigals: Though Philomela Lost Her Love
9. English Madrigals: O Wretched Man
10. English Madrigals: Weep, O Mine Eyes
11. English Madrigals: The Nightingale, The Organ Of Delight
12. English Madrigals: Come, Sirrah Jack, Ho!
13. English Madrigals: Cruel, Behold My Heavy Ending
14. English Madrigals: Fair Phyllis I Saw Sitting All Alone
15. English Madrigals: Sing We And Chant It
16. English Madrigals: On A Fair Morning
17. English Madrigals: Oft Have I Vowed
18. English Madrigals: Is Love A Boy?
19. English Madrigals: Say, Love, If Ever Thou Didst Find
20. English Madrigals: All At Once Well Met
21. English Madrigals: Construe My Meaning
22. English Madrigals: Lord! When I Think
23. English Madrigals: Cruel, Wilt Thou Persever
24. English Madrigals: Fine Knacks For Ladies
25. English Madrigals: Strike It Up, Tabor
26. English Madrigals: I Love, Alas I Love Thee
27. English Madrigals: Farwell, Dear Love
28. English Madrigals: See, See The Shepherd's Queen
29. English Madrigals: Have I Found Her
30. English Madrigals: Lady Your Words Do Spite Me
31. English Madrigals: Were I A King
32. English Madrigals: Come Again
33. English Madrigals: Tan Ta Ra, Cries Mars
34. English Madrigals: Why Should I Love?
35. English Madrigals: This Sweet And Merry Month Of May

Customer Reviews:

Very pleased.......2007-06-10

I wasn't sure what to expect when I bought this CD. True, I could have listened on line before buying but that would have taken the fun out of the purchase. Besides, I really didn't care for the CD the first couple of times I listened but now I really love it. It's not something to listen to all the time but given the right circumstances e.g. a small gathering of friends, it's perfect. If I'd listened to online, I wouldn't have purchased it.

Sumptuous and mellow.......2002-11-28

The six men of the King's Singers present sweet and light-hearted madrigals of such English composers as Morley, Weelkes, Dowland, Wilbye and Byrd. The thirty five selections include "Now is the Month of Maying", "Though Philomela Lost Her Love", "Sing We and Chant It," the celebration of tobacco entitled "Come, Sirrah Jack, Ho!" and a host of other fa-la-la-la-la venues interspersed with wistful laments. I love the rich, sonorous sound of a male vocal ensemble, with countertenors, tenor, baritones and bass, and these six singers do a great job. Occasional instrumental accompaniments by lute and tabor are included, but this group doesn't really need it--I could listen to them for hours all by themselves. Also quite enjoyable, as well as educational, is their earlier release, "The King's Singers' Madrigal History Tour: Italy, England, France, Spain and Germany". For a more risque' take on the vocal music of Renaissance England, you might get a kick out of "The Art of the Bawdy Song" by the Baltimore Consort with the Merry Companions.

One of the Best Collections of English Madrigals.......2002-03-27

Any fan of the King's Singers will regret not having this album in their collection.

This album offers a veritable feast of the choicest English madrigals found on any comparable album. From the obligatory "Now is the Month of Maying" and "Fair Phyllis" to the more obscure "Tan ta ra, cries Mars," there is certainly enough on this album to bring a smile to lovers of Renaissance music - and a spark of recognition to anyone who sang traditional madrigals in high school or university. For serious students of early music, this album comes very highly recommended.

Among the more sonorous offerings on this album, Jones' "Farewell, Dear Love" and Dowland's "Come Again," cannot be ignored. Nor can Bennet's immortal "Weep O mine eyes" be matched more musically than here by the King's Singers.

This album has been played again and again for almost 6 years as both serious listening and background working music. And it has yet to lose its delight.

A Delightful Collection of English Madrigal.......2000-08-16

With 35 tracts to enjoy you're sure to find a couple of favorites. I gave this CD 4 of 5 stars compared to 5 stars for the King's Singers World Madrigal Tour CD. If you prefer all your songs in English, this will be your 5 star CD. Tract 32 "Come again" is my favorite due to the surperb tenor lead and melodic development. Compared to many polyphonic early music styles (1300s-1485), this era (1500-1610) provides many memorable melodies.

A wide variety.......2000-04-28

This is an excellent sampling of English madrigals. This presentation, given by an older roster of the Singers, is a nice introduction to the world of the madrigal, and English madrigals in particular.

Average customer rating: Spiritual History of Celtic Ireland Dark Immortal Memory...Forgettable Melodies haunting yet empty Ethereal beauty

Immortal Memory Lisa Gerrard , and Patrick Cassidy Manufacturer: 4ad / Ada ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | British Alternative | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Dream Pop | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music World Dance | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Mirror Pool A Thousand Roads Duality Silver Tree Hannibal: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (2001 Film) ASIN: B0000D1C6T Release Date: 2004-01-20

Tracks:

1. The Song Of Amergin
2. Maranatha (Come Lord)
3. Amergin's Invocation
4. Elegy
5. Sailing To Byzantium
6. Abwoon (Our Father)
7. Immortal Memory
8. Paradise Lost
9. I Asked For Love
10. Psallit In Aure Dei

Album Description

Emotional, ethereal, and evocative, "Immortal Memory" is a timeless album of extraordinary transcendence. Gerrard, formerly of Dead Can Dance, won a Golden Globe and was nominated for an Academy Award for the "Gladiator" score. She's also scored or contributed to "Heat", "Whalerider", "Ali", "The Insider", "Mission Impossible 2", "Black Hawk Down", and more. Patrick Cassidy is widely recognized as Ireland's most important classical composer and has released three acclaimed albums. He also wrote music for "Broken Harvest", the aria for the opera scene in "Hannibal", and he was specially commissioned to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Irish Famine with his work, "Famine Remembrance", premiered at St. Patrick's Cathedral, NY and narrated by Angelica Huston.

Album Description

2004 album from the ethereal Lisa Gerrard & award winning Irish composer Patrick Cassidy who is known for his traditional and mythological orchestral music. Ten tracks. 4AD.

Customer Reviews:

Spiritual History of Celtic Ireland.......2007-06-24

This is one of those CD's that keeps you guessing about its meaning. Lisa Gerrard of Dead Can Dance, 2 solo CD's, & several movie theme CD's joins forces with Patrick Cassidy to create an antithetical sound scape of what in my interpretation maybe about the history of Celtic Spirituality on the island of Ireland.

The 1st song "The Song of Amergin" is about Amergin, a Celtic leader who according to legend is the 1st to set foot on Ireland to battle the "god's" for possession of the land.

The 2nd song "Maranatha" (Come Lord) maybe about Saint Patrick bringing Christianity to the Ireland or maybe the cry of the land to free itself from the ancient pagan gods.

The 3rd song "Amergin's Invocation" makes the final cleansing of the land which the 4th song "Elegy" mourns the death of the pagan gods.

The 5th song "Sailing to Byzantium" is the 1st form of Christianity to come to the Celtics. Historically the Celtic Christian church was semi-independent from Rome & took on a more Eastern Byzantine to almost Coptic Christian Mysticism that expressed the love of God & nature.

The 6th song is the most interesting on the CD; "Abwoon" is Aramaic for "Our Father" that Lisa Gerrard sings with a deep alto using the Aramaic language that Jesus used for his "How to Pray" prayer when he was on the Earth.

The 7th song "Immortal Memory" maybe about the universality of ancient Christianity or how God remembers all things? Or maybe this being the theme song is an overview of the rest of the songs?

The 8th song "Paradise Lost" maybe about the overtaking of the Celtic Church to conform to Roman Catholic doctrine & practice by Bishop Augustine 600 A.D. (not Saint Augustine of Hippo 400 A.D.) or about how modern Ireland has forgotten its true spiritual roots.

The 9th song "I Asked For Love" is plainly about getting the opposite from prayer until one just asks for God where he or she may receive freely.

The 10th song "Psallit In Aure Dei" is Patrick Cassidy main score from the words of Thomas of Celano, who was a disciple of & wrote a biography about Saint Francis of Assisi.

Try to come up with your own interpretation of this intriguing CD.

Well produced to bring out Lisa Gerrard's most unique singing style, but not as original as her 2 solo CD's "The Mirror Pool" & "Duality". Reading a few reviews below I agree that at times the music from this CD sounds like "Gorecki's 3rd Symphony" or something like Arvo Part to John Travener but it is done in good taste. Therefore a "4" is given for lack of originality.

Dark.......2007-03-17

Paradise Lost is darker than Hell itself; my stomach churns and writhes in knots every time I hear it. I love it.

Amazing album, haunting, and worth every penny for Paradise Lost alone. There are a few tracks that aren't very memorable, but all in all this is a five-star album.

Immortal Memory...Forgettable Melodies.......2006-05-10

Although these compositions are characterised by pleasing tonalities recorded in richly reverberant ambiance, they are altogether lacking with regard to melodic development or musical substance. There is nothing memorable about "Immortal Memory." Emotionally flat, this disc is positively dreary. This CD contains 57 minutes of excessively introspective, monotonous music that inspires nearly as much emotion as contemplating drying cement. An antidepressant medication may be necessary after listening. A disappointing addition to my musical library.

haunting yet empty.......2005-10-19

It is hard not to reference or compare Lisa Gerard's solo efforts to Dead Can Dance catalogue. I guess I was expecting something that would continue DCD tradition. The first thing that struck me was that the dead could really dance to the DCD music but they appear to be haunted and sorry ghosts in "Immortal Memory". The music is truly mournful. There is nothing wrong with mournful and haunting program for a dics, but I found those emotions falling little flat in Lisa Gerard's production. Her music sounds very ambitious but never achieves the drama and "goose bumps" effect of Gorecki's III Symphony (Symphony of Sorrow Songs) or Avro Part's "Fratres". Maybe this comparison is not fair, after all the latter two are classical music's contemporary masters, but I get an impression that Lisa Gerard's aim was equally serious. Maybe she set her goals too high.

Ethereal beauty.......2005-07-29

This album is perfect for drifting off to sleep, or for a relaxing meditation session. The music is very much like a soundtrack (similar in feel to Gerrard's "Whale Rider" soundtrack work). The music is orchestral and ethereal with Gerrard's haunting vocals. She has one of the most distinctive voices in modern music and her voice is in top form here.

So why 4 stars as opposed to 5? It is almost too mellow. I really prefer the greater diversity of sounds on her previous solo efforts. This album is great in certain scenarios and a wonderful album to relax too, but somehow it leaves me wanting just a little more. All in all, though it really is lovely and the perfect way to wind down and relax in swirls of beauty in today's crazy fast-paced world.

Average customer rating: Top of the line The King's Singers in their element Pure Artistry Absolutely beautiful! Wonderful

Annie Laurie ~ Folksongs of the British Isles / Barrueco · The King's Singers English Traditional , Scottish Traditional , Irish Traditional , Welsh Traditional , Sir Henry Rowley Bishop , Hugh Robertson , Manuel Barrueco , The King's Singers , and Nancy Hadden Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Renaissance (c.1450-1600) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music A Cappella | Folk | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Folk Songs | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Similar Items: Watching the White Wheat: Folk Songs of the British Isles; King's Singers The King's Singers Original Debut Recording The Kings Singers - New Day All At Once Well Met: English Madrigals; The King's Singers The King"s Singers: English Renaissance ASIN: B000002RTQ Release Date: 1993-11-16

Tracks:

1. Scarborough Fair
2. Skye Boat Song
3. What Shall We Do With The Drunken Sailor?
4. Annie Laurie
5. Greensleeves
6. Danny Boy
7. The Lincolnshire Poacher
8. Loch Lomond
9. The Lass Of Richmond Hill
10. Sally Gardens
11. The Ash Grove
12. Aiken Drum
13. Golden Slumbers
14. Ar Hyd Y Nos (All Through The Night)
15. Going To Towyn
16. Home Sweet Home
17. Eriskay Love Lilt
18. Mairi's Wedding

Customer Reviews:

Top of the line.......2003-06-17

This CD, along with Watching the White Wheat, is consistently a top seller on the group's US tours. Solid musicianship, great passion and emotion brought into the singing. There is some instrumental work done on this disc, but it doesn't overpower the singers.

To correct Mr. Beamer's statement in his review, the KS have indeed been doing pop and all genres of music since their founding in 1968. In fact, it was the inappropriateness of singing pop and light music with the Choir of King's College, Cambridge, that led a small group to branch off and sing all genres of music, including pop, on their own time ... this leading to the founding of the King's Singers.

The King's Singers in their element.......2001-09-28

The King's Singers got started a few decades ago doing exclusively classical material, and most of that was pre-1700. Now, many years on, (and after several changes in the group's membership) they have long since branched out into pop and other genres.

This CD (along with another similar one, "Watching the White Wheat") really show off their UK roots, with English, Scottish, and Irish folksongs. The arrangements are mostly quite good, and all the performances are excellent. Deserving of special mention are: (on the slow, poignant side) "Annie Laurie", and "The Ash Grove". [Note: the arrangement of "Annie Laurie" heard here is different from, and I think inferior to, the arrangement they did on an old out-of-print LP called "Atlantic Bridge", where they did both Britsh and American folksongs -- that LP is Highly Recommended (if you can find it -- good luck!)]

Anyway, back to the review: on the up-tempo side, two very fun tunes are "Going to Towyn" and "Mairi's Wedding". For you singers out there, the score for the latter is available in a 3-part arrangement, and is rather easy to learn.

Pure Artistry.......2000-12-09

I bought this CD after seeing the King's Singers in concert. Everytime I listen to it, it takes me back to a magical evening, and a magical place- the British Isles. These songs are beautifully arranged and sung. I never get tired of listening to these timeless folk songs that have been weaved into the cultural fabric of America and others around the world.

Absolutely beautiful!.......2000-08-25

The cracked, maimed, and scuffed CD case that I am looking at right now is in itself testement to the addictive qualities of this recording. I have had this CD for almost a year and it has wandered the country with me (we just got back from No. Cal. ;) I listen to it almost every night before I go to sleep. The beautifully blended harmonies on this CD are gorgeous and I have fallen completly in love with the countertenor voices. All of the tacks are wonderful but my favorites are (#2)The Skye Boat Song (listen to this while reading Diana Gabaldon!) (#4) Annie Laurie (#6) Danny Boy and (#17) Eriskay Love Lilt. *Whew* that was hard, I can't pick my favorites easily. Buy this CD for it's gorgeous cover and fall in love with the music!

Wonderful.......2000-05-18

I love this CD, the arrangements for these folk songs are superb. The songs picked are fun and beatiful representatives of English Folk songs. One of my favorite CD's.

Average customer rating: Impeccable English Style The Tallis Scholars do their namesake proud

The Tallis Scholars Sing Thomas Tallis Manufacturer: Gimell UK ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Tallis | Tallis, Thomas | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music | Requiems Tallis Scholars | ( T ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Anthems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Magnificats | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Motets | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Psalms | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classical | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Tallis Scholars sing Palestrina The Essential Tallis Scholars Christmas With the Tallis Scholars The Tallis Scholars Sing Josquin Tallis: Spem in Alium ASIN: B00026W65E Release Date: 2004-09-14

Tracks:

1. Spem In Alium
2. Sancte Deus
3. Salvator Mundi, Salva Nos I
4. Salvator Mundi, Salva Nos II
5. Gaude Gloriosa
6. Miserere Nostri
7. Loquebantur Variis Linguis
8. If Ye Love Me
9. Hear The Voice And Prayer
10. A New Commandment
11. O Lord, Give Thy Holy Spirit
12. Purge Me, O Lord
13. Verily, Verily I Say Unto You
14. Remember Not, O Lord God
15. Tunes For Archbishop Parker's Psalter
16. O Lord, In Thee Is All My Trust
17. Christ Rising Again
18. Blessed Are Those That Be Undefiled

Tracks:

1. Lamentations Of Jeremiah I
2. Lamentations Of Jeremiah II
3. Absterge Domine
4. O Sacrum Convivium
5. In Manus Tuas
6. Salve Intemerata
7. Magnificat For 4 Voices
8. Ave, Dei Patris Filia

Customer Reviews:

Impeccable English Style.......2007-07-13

If you favor blend, balance, pitch, and all the other parameters of the English traditional choral style, you'll be very impressed with the Tallis Scholars' refined presentation. the music speaks for itself.

The Tallis Scholars do their namesake proud.......2006-07-27

In the last couple of years, the Tallis Scholars have been compiling their sizeable recording output into attractive two-disc editions. Here, they've collected a large number of their interpretations of their namesake, Thomas Tallis. Tallis (c. 1505-1585) is, of course, one of the giants of Renaissance music, and he was certainly the greatest English composer of liturgical music between John Dunstable and William Byrd. I personally consider him the second-greatest Renaissance composer after Palestrina, but I'm not dogmatic about it. I love the music of Josquin, Victoria, and Byrd almost as much. Let's just say that, if you're interested in immersing yourself in the work of a single Renaissance composer, you can't do much better than Tallis.

These recordings were made 1985-1998, and they all sound great. Included in this collection are most of Tallis best and best-known works: the two Lamentations of Jeremiah, O Sacrum Convivium, Gaude Gloriosa, Tunes for Archbishop Parker's Psalter (which contains the theme that inspired Ralph Vaughan Williams' famous Fantasia), and the incredible 40-part motet Spem In Alium (which is one of the supreme masterpieces of the 16th century). Unfortunately, there are some notable absences, such as the Tallis Scholars' own recording of O Nata Lux. The Mass for 4 Voices, certainly one of Tallis' major works, is also nowhere to be found. Of course, there's only so much music that will fit onto two CDs, but it's still a shame that they couldn't fit at least one of Tallis' masses. Nevertheless, the music that's here is beautiful and powerful.

The Tallis Scholars themselves need no introduction. They're one of the most famous groups specializing in Renaissance music. It needs to be said, however, that if you're looking for "authentic" recordings (that is, recordings that approximate what the music originally sounded like in the 16th century), you might want to look elsewhere. The Tallis Scholars use female singers instead of boys or (ahem!) castrati (though it's doubtful that Tallis would have used or written for castrati himself). And one could complain that these recordings use too many singers for some of the smaller pieces or that the sopranos overpower some of the larger ones (like Spem In Alium). I'm neither an enthusiast nor an opponent of the authentic-performance movement; since we're listening to recorded music anyway, these issues strike me as moot. The Tallis Scholars are experienced and accomplished singers, and they achieve their primary goal: to provide superlative-sounding recordings of important early choral compositions. If you're looking for a fine compilation of Tallis' music or an excellent introduction to Renaissance music, this is it.

Average customer rating: This is an amazing, amazing product a voice teacher and early music fan Incredible Very inspiring for this Christian (Catholic) Amazing!

O Magnum Mysterium Thomas Tallis , Tomas Luis de Victoria , Morten Lauridsen , Francis Poulenc , Sergey Rachmaninov , Franz Schubert , Anonymous , Spiritual Traditional , Henryk Gorecki , Christopher Cock , Robert Shaw Festival Singers , and Robert Shaw Chamber Singers Manufacturer: Telarc ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Górecki, Henryk Mikolaj | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Lauridsen | Lauridsen, Morten | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Poulenc | Poulenc, Francis | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Schubert | Schubert, Franz | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Tallis | Tallis, Thomas | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rachmaninov | Rachmaninov, Sergei | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music | Requiems General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Anthems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Folk Songs | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Motets | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Lauridsen: Lux Aeterna, etc. / Salamunovich, Los Angeles Master Chorale Sergei Rachmaninoff: Vespers (Mass for Unaccompanied Chorus) Choral Masterpieces Agnus Dei: Music of Inner Harmony Morten Lauridsen: Lux aeterna ASIN: B00004WFLW Release Date: 2000-08-22

Tracks:

1. If Ye Love Me
2. A New Commandment
3. O Vos Omnes
4. O Magnum Mysterium
5. O Magnum Mysterium
6. O Magnum Mysterium
7. Praise The Name Of The Lord
8. Der Entfernten
9. Wondrous Love
10. Amazing Grace
11. Sometimes I Feel Like Moanin'
12. Totus Tuus

Amazon.com

The trademark qualities of a Robert Shaw-trained chorus included perfect tonal blend and balance, expressive phrasing, and superb tuning. As an interpreter, Shaw hewed to the middle road, steering clear of eccentricities and honoring the composer's intentions. On this tribute disc, we hear these virtues coalesce in works such as Poulenc's austere Christmas hymn "O magnum mysterium," one of three settings of the text here. Shaw was at his best in works whose fervent spirituality he shared, and the selection from Rachmaninov's Vespers, with its repeated alleluias, is a highlight, both radiant and passionate. But then, virtually everything here is a highlight: the Schubert part song done to a turn with soft singing projected in rounded tones; the curve of "Wondrous Love"'s melody perfectly traced; and "Amazing Grace" in Shaw's arrangement all the more moving for its calm dignity. The longest piece, Górecki's Marian hymn "Totus tuus," is otherworldly in an enthralled reading that never loses focus. Like all of Shaw's Telarc recordings, the sonics are first-class. --Dan Davis

Customer Reviews:

This is an amazing, amazing product.......2007-02-07

The only part of the CD I would quibble with is the selection from Rachmaninov's Vespers, but I'm really lucky and have heard that performed live several times and heard multiple recordings, and decided on one that I liked best early on.

If you aren't blown away by the performance of the Tallis, you'll probably still cry when you hear the Lauridsen later in the CD. One thing about this CD is that after hearing it, my standard for what I could expect in a recording became a lot higher.

a voice teacher and early music fan.......2007-01-17

When Robert Shaw retired in 1988 as Conductor of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra he returned to the conducting of unaccompanied choral music, that he had been involved with in the Robert Shaw Chorale in the 1950's and early 60's.
The selections on this disc are taken from several different Telarc recordings that were made at summer festivals he directed during the last decade of his life.
The Poulenc "O Magnum Mysterium" is one of the four motets on a Christmas album made in 1989. "Wondrous Love", "Amazing Grace", and "Sometimes I Feel Like a Moanin' Dove" are from the collection of 'American Hymns and Spirituals', performed and recorded in 1992. Gorecki's motet "Totus Tuus" appeared on 'Evocation of the Spirit' recorded in 1994.
In the Summer of 1989, the first year of Shaw's choral festivals in France yielded an impressive array of unaccompanied music which included Rachmaninoff's 'Vespers' or 'All Night Vigil', Op.37, the 2 Thomas Tallis pieces and the two in Latin by Vittoria.
"Der Entfernten" comes from a collection of 'Schubert Songs' for Male Chorus taped in the Summer of 1992. Morton Luridsen's 'O magnum mysterium', the most recent composition on this disc as well as the last recorded (1997), was included on 'A Robert Shaw Christmas'.
It is interesting to note that there are no less than three settings of the anonymous medieval text "O Magnum Mysterium". Shaw, a deeply spiritual man, often lamented about the commercialism that had pervaded the celebraton of the American Christmas. He retained a sincere awe for the miraculous details of the Nativity story, and it was natural that he should return again to music having this text, with its wondrous mixture of the homespun and the mystical, the lowly and the most high.

This is a truly interesting variety of compositions featuring a diversified group of fine composers!!!!.Any choral group that Shaw conducted always sang with much emotion and always great skill. There is never a 'ragged' entrance OR exit; there is never poor balance between the voices; the diction is crisp and clear and never 'muddied'; and the sound is ethereally beautiful. I would have liked to know who the personnel were in each of his 2 groups on this disc, but they were not listed, so I guess I never will know. Just a fabulous recording!!!!!

Incredible.......2005-08-02

Who can listen to this without being humbled, yet enriched, as if walking through the courts of sacred and simple places?

Very inspiring for this Christian (Catholic).......2004-07-22

I'd swear that Robert Shaw must have visited heaven and come back to write his rendition of O Magnum Mysterium (particularly track #5 with the chamber singers). It's my favorite classical piece, especially among choral works. I'd love to be in a great gothic cathedral like Notre Dame or Cologne and hear this piece. Even though you'll likely only be hearing this recording through your headphones in your room, it'll take you to the cathedrals and heaven itself.

I read somewhere that Robert Shaw was deeply religious/spiritual. I have no reason to doubt this...his faith shines through on this disk. I couldn't recommend it highly enough.

"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband; and I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling of God is with men. He will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain any more, for the former things have passed away." - Revelation 21

Amazing!.......2004-02-10

In my choir at school, we are singing O Magnum Mysterium; I can't help from sinking into its soft harmonies. How to describe this feeling?--each bar more poignant than the last; dynamically profound; crystal clear tone; that clash between tenors in the chorus...it makes me believe in love and god all at once! Spectacular, this CD is--how lucky I am to have found it. Recommended to anyone with hearing.

Rap Music:

1. Sail Away [Original recording remastered]
2. Sheryl Crow
3. Simply Red - Greatest Hits
4. Sketches (For My Sweetheart the Drunk) [CD-Extra]
5. Solace
6. Start Static
7. Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie
8. Swordfishtrombones
9. Take off Your Pants and Jacket [Explicit Lyrics]
10. Tales from Topographic Oceans [Original recording remastered]

Rap Music

rap music

Recommended Music:

New Jazz Spectrum

The Best Of Gershwin

Through the Fields of Home

Music: Virtuoso French Organ Music - Jennifer Bates

Unplugged

The Real One [Explicit Lyrics]

The Next Level

The Mind Clouders

The Love Album

Tangos de Gardel [Import]

The Best of OMD [Import]

Texas Flood/Couldn't Stand the Weather/Soul to Soul [Box set]

SCH(m)ergrenze [Import]

Songs of Inspiration

Come Swing with Me!