Customer Reviews

Angel Voices: Libera In Concert

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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!

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.

From the simple 'lick' from the clarinet on the opening to the first song 'Adoramus' to the solo tenor voices at the end of the same number this album surprises and delights in equal measure and proves to the critics that these amazingly talented yet wonderfully grounded boys can 'cut it' live.
If Libera are in town, or even at the other end of the country, you absolutely must go and see them perform and be astonished. These are not your conventional boys choir and the sights and sounds you will see and hear you will not get anywhere else in the world. Their show is as much a visual spectacle as it is a vocal feast. Fans have travelled from countries on 3 continents just to to see the boys perform for only one night, such is their reputation, and absolutely roared their appreciation at the end.
A few personal favourites are missing from this recording and from my perspective there are perhaps a few too many almost melancholy numbers which is why I can only award this album 4 stars but it is a most welcome addition to the collection. Their music still has the power to induce a lump in the throat and a tear in the eye no matter how many times you hear it.
And while you listen, reflect on the fact that these boys are not full time choristers, the membership is ever changing as their voices break, they have limited time to practice and are, on any given Sunday, on duty (twice) as a 'normal' Anglican church choir.
What Robert Prizeman and these boys have achieved is simply remarkable.

This is Libera's third attempt at a "greatest hits" album, basically an instant replay of the "Angel Voices" album. Their Asian release "World" album matched their tour material, but not current personnel. Their "Angel Voices" album matched the current personnel better, with a precise but somewhat timid studio mix. This album is the real thing, current personnel and an authentic concert sound. Live shows are challenging to perform and record, but they pulled it off brilliantly. Of their current crop of releases, this is the one you want. Only two warnings. Don't expect any new material. And don't expect a brilliant stand-out soloist. They are so extremely balanced, it is hard to pick a stand-out. Don't be cheap, get the DVD too.

Libera's live performance at St. Peter's Church in Leiden, Holland, showcased a broad cross-section of their work. Despite the similarity in titles, the track listings for this live CD and the studio "Angel Voices" (the white cover) are not exactly the same.

The fleet-footed, dexterous opening, "Adoramus" (first heard on "Free"), is almost the only number of its kind; immediately afterward, "Going Home" (based on Dvorak's "Largo" from the New World Symphony) slows the ambience down to spotlight the serene warmth of the soloist's (Joshua Madine) voice. The music for the Leiden concert is weighted toward Libera's meditative, even more melancholy work. "Lacrymosa," first heard on "Luminosa," is based on the "Aquarium" from Saint-Saens' Carnival of the Animals, and is a remarkably mature piece--the shimmering, twistingly chromatic textures of the top voices contrast strikingly with the almost desperate pleading of the soloist's line.

The group's eponymous "Libera" is given a rousing, powerful performance that's as good or better than any of their studio cuts of the piece; the popular "Salva Me" and "Sanctus" are also sung with verve and energy. The best of Libera's solo talent is put on display in "Going Home," "Salva Me," and the closing "I am the Day," which alternates between gentle lullabying for the soloist and the full power of the ensemble.

"Do Not Stand," featuring one of Libera's greatest talent in Tom Cully, is peerless--the group's most moving and mature performance, ever.

The recording at Leiden was made live, and includes all the trademarks of a live performance: applause especially, and a few passages where the singing wavers. The benefit of the live nature, though, is the spontaneity and human quality that can be felt throughout the whole disc. The "Adoramus" begins almost tenatively; as the concert progresses, everyone is audibly becoming more secure, leading to a rousingly uplifting ending on "I am the Day."

And finally, for skeptics (or those pesky "ultrapursists") who have parroted their line about the "Libera sound" being more the product of very clever sound engineering and manipulation than the ensemble's talent, here's definitive proof to end that debate.

First timers would be better to start with "Luminosa"(Luminosa) or the studio disc "Angel Voices" (Angel Voices), as these are just slightly superior in terms of balance (the live disc trends very distinctly toward the melancholy and meditative). However, the magnificent performance at Leiden is definitely par for Libera.

Once again, Robert Prizeman and a group of English schoolboys prove, beyond any doubt, that the human voice is the greatest instrument of them all. God bless Libera!

This long awaited DVD is, in one word is awesome! All the boys have beautiful voices, and you can tell by listening to them, that each one has spent countless hours learning & practicing each song, so that when they perform, it is perfection. I thouroughly enjoyed every soloist and could say something about each one of them, but that would take too long, but I would like to say that I feel that Tom Cully has a beautiful voice, and his control is exceptional. Every boy in Libera should be proud of their performance, as I'm sure their dad's & mom's are of them. Robert Prizeman, you are truly a gifted song writer, musician & choirmaster, and you are to be congratulated on all of your work throughout the years, well done. The other point that I would like to make, is, that it's great to see the graduates of Libera still working with the group such as with Steven Geraghty, Ben Crawley, and Sam Coates. For anyone who is reading this, and you have just learned about this wonderful singing group, you should purchase some of their earlier recordings and then you will hear how beautiful these three young men used to sing, because they also had beautiful voices when they were younger. The only thing I was just a little disappointed in was that it wasn't long enough. Suggestion: On the next DVD in the Special Features section, would you please put in more of the boys, away from their performance. As in, when they are practicing, or playing football (soccer) or maybe cricket. I found that to be not only interesting but entertaining as well. You all are to be congratulated on a job well done.

I've been playing this inspired album repeatedly...obsessively and have no idea when I'll finally be able to tear myself away from it.

I wish the whole world could come to a sudden standstill, open its collective heart, and receive the divine gift of peace and serenity these wondrous voices bestow upon their listener.

Without doubt, this music is the expression of humanity's eternal yearning to unite with its own godliness.

Don't miss it for the world!!

Joel Kovacik
JoelBklyn@AOL.com

I first caught this choir on PBS and watched the show at least 3 times on different stations.

I love the blending of the old and the new and the wonderful quality of those young voices.

This is the first time I have listened to Libera and I was blown away by the quality of there signing and the professionalism of there arrangements. It is hard to image that these boys are only 10-13 years old as the level of performance is superb. It is even more amazing when you take into account that this is a 'Live' recording and not ehanced by studio equipment. A huge amount of credit goes to their director Robert Prizeman who is a musical genius. I would highly recommend this product, it's of the highest quality and I have become a firm fan of Libera and look forward to hearing a great deal more from them in the future.