Customer Reviews

...Against the Dying of the Light

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As a vocalist with a love for male a cappella, Cantus has struck my fancy in numerous ways. This album is a WONDERFUL example of their artistry. Their rendition of Randall Thompson's Alleluia is stunning, as are all of the other tracks. Truly worth the purchase.

As a music teacher and choir director, I sometimes find myself becoming a bit of a "choir snob" if I hear recordings that aren't up to snuff. After Cantus did a workshop with my college choir a few years ago (when I was still in college..) I purchased several of their albums, and they are all simply phenomenal. Fantastic pitch, superb technique, touching musicality and a truly inspiring ensemble sound. For those who have not heard Cantus, it should be known that they are one of the few male ensembles to sing with true bel canto singing technique, proving that it is possible to use vocal color and strong technique while still achieving wonderful blend and tuning.

Cantus has done it again with ...Against the Dying of the Light. This CD although much more secular and sacred, still demonstrates the power of music through singing. This album takes the listener back to some the very roots of choral music with compositions dating back to fifteenth century. Cantus brings out all despair and joy of the texts in ...Against the Dying of the Light. Although most of the pieces are sung in Latin, a story of greif and sarrow to consolation and joy is clearly told. All avid choral singers must have this CD. The "Two Laments on Dylan Thomas" are simply profound. You will not be dissapointed with this CD. This male choral group is second to none!

The music on this CD is very nice, but the booklet does not have the words in the original languages, just free translations. I was able to find some of the words on the web, but not all. And when I found the words on the web, they were not presented together with translations. It adds a lot to my enjoyment to know what is being sung.