Customer Reviews

Cathedral Classics

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is some of the finest singing I have ever heard, recorded very well in a perfect acoustical space. Before I say anything else, I must say: this recording is a marvel.

The gem of the CD is Samuel Barber's "Adagio for Strings" in his own choral arrangement. It is easy to hear why it is not often sung; the lines and phrases are of immense length, and no obvious breaths can be taken. The Singers' technique is astounding in this regard; personally, I cannot tell whether the choir is "stagger-breathing" or not. The climax of the work is a perfectly blended fortissimo-a very difficult thing to manage-followed by a perfectly balanced and blended pianissimo. Warland seems to have been very aware of the necessity for a great deal of sound from the basses; they are never overpowering, but always audible.

The weakness of the CD is Gregorio Allegri's "Miserere." This piece relies heavily on the voice of the soprano soloist; in this recording, she is neither free of vibrato nor in perfect tune when she should be. Her voice is lovely, it's true, but it is not appropriate to a solo written for treble. Furthermore, the DWSingers is an American group; while I applaud my countrymen for tackling this most famous of Renaissance motets, I also realize that a difficult decision had to be made. The Singers decided to sing the "Miserere" in an anachronistic American choral style, rather than learn to sing in a more traditional European style (i.e. "straight-tone," with a more boyish soprano and alto sound. If you enjoy this track, I recommend the spectacular recording by the St. Paul's Cathedral Choir, on their "Hear My Prayer" CD. You will immediately see what I'm getting at.

The Mass by Frank Martin is one of the more unusual "non-modernist" works for choir. It is both spectacular and beautiful. The room's acoustics are wonderfully displayed at the climax of the "Kyrie," and they allow the second chorus in the "Sanctus" and "Benedictus" to create a sea of sound to support the first chorus. The "Credo" has its moments, especially the "Et incarnatus" section, but is basically a functional setting of the long prayer. The "Gloria" has no such moments, and is, to me, entirely forgettable. The same goes for the "Agnus Dei," which, however, redeems itself with a great ending after droning on for a few pages.

The Howells Requiem is an unparalleled masterpiece. I know of no other setting of the Requiem which speaks so honestly, so directly, to my heart. While Durufle depicts the fires of hell and the ethereal heavens, and Faure conveys simply the universal nature of death, Howells shows us what it really is to lose a loved one. He has written from the depths of his soul, in an intensely personal and individual style, to the memory of his son. The work is clearly composed for himself and his son, not for a commission or for fame. Where other composers of Requiems have composed works which preach to the congregation, Howells is praying silently to God with his entire being. The sublimity of this work is beyond further description. I could not ask for a better recording; I have heard Robert Shaw's version, and while it is good, it does not approach the passion or the depth of this recording.

If you have ever sung in a choir, listened to choral music, or if you believe in the capacity of the human voice to express a higher truth--get this CD any way you can.

It's hard not to rave about this recording; all the ecstatic reviews below are right on target.

The Dale Warland Singers are one of the world's finest choral ensembles, known for their precise technique, silken tone, and adventurous programming. Many outstanding composers have written pieces for them, capitalizing on the group's talent and unique sound. This disc is one of the Warland group's finest achievements. Not only is the program well-considered and expertly sung, but the pristine, virtually noise-free recording is a delight.

My personal favorite is the Howells "Requiem," a deeply moving piece written in 1936. The composer's sad inspiration was the death of his son, and from that grief emerged this stirring creation. This masterpiece receives a mystical and intense performance here that will haunt you long after it has ended.

The Barber "Agnus Dei" (based on his "Adagio for Strings") is gorgeously done, with the long lines powerfully sustained, and the chorus making the tricky intervals sound easy. If you are familiar with the "Adagio" you owe it to your ears to this arrangement for chorus - quite a celestial experience. And Frank Martin's "Mass" is probably the least well-known piece on the program - a pity, but perhaps a performance as glowing as this one will make a better case for it.

The oldest work on the program is the Allegri "Miserere," in an excellent performance. For me, it does not quite displace my favorite by the Tallis Scholars on Gimell, but it is still outstanding choral singing by any measure.

The sound on the recording is amazing - crystal-clear and natural, with no background noise. After hearing this group's other stunning CD on American Choral Classics ("December Stillness"), I can only conclude that ACC is one of the finest small labels around.

An excellent, striking recording, both artistically and sonically, of one of the finest choral ensembles you will ever hear.

I bought this disk because I heard the Barber "Agnus Dei" on the radio. The other treasures on this disk are at least as good as that. As others have noted, the recording is clear, precise, of wonderful tone, intonation, and they maintain excellent ensemble.

For me, what makes the disk so special is that that you don't get to hear repertoire like the Martin mass and the Howells requiem all that often. And it is performed here in a way that is very moving - they know this music very well - both musically and its emotional center.

I can't get over the sound of this group. So balanced, so able to make the soft sounds full and still disappear to nothing. And when they need power, they can go all the way up without shrieking or howling.

This is a fine group and a gorgeous recording of some wonderful music.

I heard an interview on NPR's Performance Today with Mr. Warland when the CD was released. They played the Agnus Dei on the air as a teaser. Mr. Warland recounted how the choir rehearsed all year to develop the continuous line technique and how developing the lung capacity of the singers was an on-going project. The results are truly breathtaking! I remember I had to pull off the road when I heard the recording I was so moved to tears. The choir's voice is truly one! Congratulations!

Trying to be succinct here: there is no better choir in America. If the sound of the human voice moves you, this is a 'must-have.' In particular, the Barber 'Agnus Dei' (based on the Adagio for Strings) is stunning; it's getting a lot of recordings these days, but if you want the one that stands head and shoulders above the rest, here you are.

Without question, this recording is on the "not optional" list for any choral director. The acoustics of the space in which it was recording, the amazing technical mastery of the performance, and the music itself are all what make this a very important choral CD.

There are, unfortunately, some real disappointments there too:

1. The fabled Allegri Miserere is certainly the low point of the CD, primarily because the greatness of the work (in my humble opinion) pales with those on the rest of the disc and because it is not performed with an idealy authentic style. Still, it is admittedly somewhat satisfying and very beautifully sung.

2. This CD contains what is perhaps the most perfect recording of Barber's Agnus Dei available anywhere, except for a single, heartbreakingly unfortunate blemish: the vital but 3-second-long soprano solo is very mediocre. Helas!

3. The Martin Mass is amazing music, and most of it's performance here is absolutely captivating and wonderful. The concluding Agnus Dei is perhaps the most personal and goosebump-raising movement, but it is sadly performed FAR too fast and dryly on this recording.

These criticisms notwithstanding, I still have given this a 5-star rating simply because the music selection is unlike anything available on one CD anywhere, and the vast majority of it is still first-rate. All the works included here have a unique and very interesting story behind them, and are very personal, powerfully touching works. The Howells Requiem is particularly amazing. Extraordinarily heart-wrenching, but in a very different, quiet, hazily dissonant, unbelievably lonely way.

Originally heard on area NPR station, KUAF in Fayetteville, AR. As another listener stated, the "Agnus Dei" was spellbinding, very moving.... breath-taking!

The Dale Warland Singers have outdone themselves with this collection of hauntingly beautiful classical texts. Allegri's Miserere is absolutely celestial and Barber's Adagio has never heard such a terrific range of dynamics. This is a masterpiece and a "must have" for any choral collector!

WHOA!!! I bought this CD after singing the Barber with my college group. I never expected such great music! The Martin piece starts out the disc and in my opinion is very average. The Agnus Dei is absolutly gorgeous, the only downer being a sour soprano solo note, but the piece redeems itself at the climax, sending chills down your spine. The Howells Requiem is in a class by itself. You can honestly feel the pain and loss that the composer felt after losing his son, and I have never been so moved by any other piece of music. The singers are like liquid gold, especially in the third movement (Requiem I). All in all, a fantastic disc that belongs in every music lovers home. A MUST!!!

First of all, I love this CD. The music is beautiful and the voices are and absolute perfect blend! Also, I feel very proud in saying (though maybe I should not be) that my choir teacher, Shelly Kline is in that choir! Keep up the awesome singing!