Angel Voices: Libera In Concert

Robert / Tilley, Ian Prizeman (Composer), Robert Prizeman (Composer), Takatsugu Muramatsu (Composer), Engelbert [Classical] Humperdinck (Composer), William Henry Monk (Composer), Gustav Holst (Composer), Robert Prizeman (Conductor), Joshua Madine (Performer), Ben Philipp (Performer), Tom Cully (Performer), Ed Day (Performer), Liam Connery (Performer), Sam Leggett (Performer), Joe Snelling (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Joshua Madine, Ben Philipp, Tom Cully, Ed Day, Liam Connery, et al.
• Conductor: Robert Prizeman
• Composer: Robert / Tilley, Ian Prizeman, Robert Prizeman, Takatsugu Muramatsu, Engelbert [Classical] Humperdinck, William Henry Monk, et al.
• Audio CD (October 2, 2007)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: EMI Classics
• ASIN: B000VNMS7Y
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #126,814 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Adoramus

2. Going Home

3. Far Away

4. Prayer

5. Libera

6. Sanctus

7. Salva Me

8. Lacrymosa

9. Abide With Me

10. I Vow to Thee My Country

11. Stay With Me

12. Do Not Stand At My Grave & Weep

13. I Am the Day

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfection, October 5, 2007

By 

Meredith A. Carter (Virginia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Angel Voices: Libera In Concert (Audio CD)

The only negative thing I can possibly say about this disc is that at first I was startled by the applause at the end of some tracks...the singing was so flawless that I forgot I was listening to a live concert! These boys have sounded so ethereal and otherworldly on their CDs, and that led some people to speculate that the "Libera sound" is only the result of studio trickery. Here's the amazing proof to the contrary.

Everything, from the low notes in "Adoramus" by Callum, Conor and Michael, to the D above high C tossed off effortlessly by Liam, is sung to perfection. Most of the soloists, such as Tom, Ed, Joe, and Ben, have proven their capabilities before, and add to their achievements here, in many cases surpassing their own high standards. Special mention must be made for Josh, whose voice hasn't been heard on its own before. He is nothing short of a revelation on "Going Home" and "I Am the Day."

To sum it up, Libera are simply the best, and this recording more than proves it.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars LIBERA! Angel Voices, The Angles Voices!, October 25, 2007

By 

Richard A. Patton "BoyScout" (Ormond Beach, FL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Angel Voices: Libera In Concert (Audio CD)

Absolutely outstanding!! This album contains most of Libera's most popular selections and they are done to perfection. I enjoyed the album very much. There is only negative comment, as stated before, remove the applause on the CD. Applause are fine for a concert video but not on a music CD.

The music of the boys is absolutely haunting and evocative. If you have never experienced Libera you MUST! While I understand that their music is based in the Christian religion I believe that people of all faiths can appreciate its beauty!

BUY IT TODAY, you will not be disappointed!

ALSO Consider buying the DVD!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Great Libera Release, February 12, 2008

By 

Timothy Kearney (Haverhill, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Angel Voices: Libera In Concert (Audio CD)

The cherubic sound of children's voices, particularly boy choirs, seems to be resurging in Europe these days. The French film LE CHORISTES of a few years ago was an international phenomenon. In England, groups such as the The Choirboys and Angelis and soloists such as Declan and Joseph McManners are all the rage. However, the most popular of these musicians seems to be the group Libera. Libera's intoxicating sound, blending traditional choral concepts from the monastic tradition with current melodies and words is a great musical experience. An EMI release of Libera's studio recording ANGEL VOICES has exposed the group to an American audience. Since the concert was also captured on DVD, it is likely that PBS will soon air it which no doubt will garner the group with new fans.

This collection has some of the Libera standards from earlier collections, particularly the studio recording of ANGEL VOICES: "I am the Day" (Alpha and Omega), "Salva Me" and "Going Home" to name a few but it also has a few surprises such as the prayer from HANSEL AND GRETEL and "Abide With Me." The CD gets stronger as the concert continues which give the listener the feel of being present when it was recorded. While the CD has some of the unavoidable pitfalls of concerts recorded live: background notice, the applause, and at times less than perfect performing (in comparison with a studio recording), all of this adds to the appeal of this collection. Listeners get a sense of the real Libera and understand the group's appeal.

ANGEL VOICES: LIBERA IN CONCERT is worth purchasing. Even though membership in the group will differ in the upcoming years (changing voices have a way of doing that), it's my guess that Libera will be entertaining audiences in the years to come. Hopefully a Christmas music collection is in the works.