Customer Reviews

Alleluia: An American Hymnal

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

My only complaint was that this CD had to end. This is some of the most beautiful choral singing I have ever heard. The Southern Harmony section was particularly impressive. If you like choral music, buy this CD. It doesn't get much better.

This is an excellent, deeply musical performance of a wide variety of hymns, Shaker tunes, and spirituals. The choices provide variety and a thumbnail sketch of a time in America when hymn-singing was a part of every week's activities. I agree with another reviewer that "Precious Lord" is a highlight. Also noteworthy is "Give Me Jesus" at the end. Both the singing and acoustics of the recording are top notch. I have already played this CD many times since receiving it two days ago. I'm ordering copies for friends! Among my many choral CDs, this one stands out as a favorite.

This is a diverse collection of songs having a religious flavor without being overly religious. The songs are sung clearly and enthusiastically with a minimum of orchestration, except for an occasional organ. The soloists excel. For those not familiar with this group, it is a truly great find. "Take Me Home Precious Lord" is the most moving song on the album, but you will find many others that you will recall throughout the day and night. I play the album frequently, and it ranks very favorably with albums by English vocal groups.

My pastor bought me this CD and I wasn't sure I'd really like it. Chorale music? You must be joking. But I popped it into my CD player at home and was immediately astonished at what I heard. The Kansas City Chorale have done an outstanding job of singing hymns of various types, most without musical accompaniment. Track 7 ("Encouragement") is my absolute favorite song on this CD. It is so beautiful to hear, especially when I crank it on my big stereo or over my headphones.

Bottom line: if you like chorale music, religious music, or even classical music, you will really enjoy this CD. The quality of the recording is very good.

This music has a sense of sophistication along with a sense of Midwestern plains, earthy and innocent, spirituality. I love it. I can imagine the singers standing center-stage in a concert hall or before a crowd in a European Cathedral; but also I can see them sitting in pews in a small, country church in Kansas. I'm at peace when listening to this music.

The Kansas City Chorale is a SUPERIOR vocal group. I am impressed by its large and wholesome sound that is produced by such a small group. The Alleluia CD is beautiful and also very diverse. "Sing me to Heaven" is gorgeous. The harmonies are beautiful on the page, but are even more beautiful when sung by this ensemble. "Alleluia" is also wonderful, and I was impressed by their interpretation of the many shaker songs and spirituals. This cd is a MUST HAVE for any choral singer or enthusiast.

What a excellent CD! I got this for Christmas after going to a couple of their concerts and it sounds just as good as it did live. If you like chorale music then this is the cd for you. I personally know a man that sings in this group and is very talented singer along with the rest!

KC Chorale's recording should inspire listeners to try some of these VERY accessible and deeply beautiful pieces in their own community or church choir (Especially any European who might read this - American music (American art in general) is largely neglected in Europe - the choral tradition is quite strong there and this music would be a wonderful way for their choirs to enter into the world of American music).

Many thanks to KC Chorale and Bruffy for their commitment to this music. The beauty of their performance opens onto the Beauty of which they sing, drawing close to it both singer and listener.

I happened upon this CD after checking out different renditions of "E'en So, Lord Jesus, Quickly Come" on YouTube. The KC Chorale's version was my favorite so I went to Amazon to try to find it. The album cover drew me in right away, and after listening to some previews (and reading the other glowing reviews) I knew this would be a disc worth owning. I was not disappointed! The choir sounds incredible and the sound quality of the recording is top-notch. This is a disc meant for playing loud! There's quite a lot of dynamic range but overall the disc is fairly quiet when compared to most of my CDs (although I don't know how it compares to other choral albums).

There's a great mix of different styles here, arranged on the CD in groupings. My favorites are the "Sunday Morning" selections but really there's not a bad track on here. It rewards careful and repeat listening, and I would imagine it sounds magnificent with some good headphones.

I greatly look forward to purchasing other KC Chorale recordings, in addition to checking out some of their concerts in the future.

My choir sang "Alleluia", and used this recording to learn the dynamics. A brilliant performance of that piece. The others are, too, excellent. Good balance, dynamic, and overall sound. But the "Alleluia" really stood out for me.