Catholic Classics, vol. V: Simple Gift of Praise

Robert Lowry (Composer), Anonymous (Composer), Traditional (Composer), Gregorian Chant (Composer), Charles Gounod (Composer), Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Composer), Cesar Franck (Composer), John Newton (Composer), John [Composer] L. Bell (Composer), Irish Anonymous (Composer), Shaker Traditional (Composer), David / Petrunak, Stephen Fischer (Composer), David Fischer (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: David Fischer
• Composer: Robert Lowry, Anonymous, Traditional, Gregorian Chant, Charles Gounod, et al.
• Audio CD (March 6, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Gia Publications
• ASIN: B00005A0AE
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #149,168 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

The unique musical duo of Stephen Petrunak on the classical guitar and the lovely tenor voice of David Fischer brings a fresh moving performance of classic favorites. These hymns are a tribute to the spirit of sacred music and the great composers. Tracks include: 1. Shall We Gather At The River 4:13 2. Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow 5:13 3. For The Beauty Of The Earth - Ubi Caritas 5:49 4. Ave Maria, Gounod 3:24 5. Ave Verum Corpus, Mozart 2:20 6. Panis Angelicus, Franck 3:27 7. How Great Thou Art 4:33 8. Amazing Grace 4:34 9. Go, Silent Friend, In Paradisum 4:21 10. We Gather Together, Adoro Te Devote 4:00 11. Holy God, We Praise Thy Name 4:40 12. Simple Gifts, Shaker Traditional 3:42 Format: CD Publisher: GIA Publications ISBN: 7-85147-04882-4

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This is the one to get., September 8, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Catholic Classics, vol. V: Simple Gift of Praise (Audio CD)

Very beautiful and inspiring rendition of some favorite Catholic classics. The most beautiful: "Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow" which fades in the middle into a chant-like revery-inducing song only to flourish again with new-found faith at the end. Second most beautiful: "Holy God, We Prise They Name," which builds in three voices towards the end, one added for each person of the Blessed Trinity. Also noteworthy: "For the Beauty of the Earth," with its mix of Latin and English transitions and blending of Gregorian chant in between verses. Good rendition of "Ave Maria" and "Simple Gifts." A lot of steel-string guitar played strong and true, but not overwhelming the beautiful voice of David Fischer. Fischer accompanies himself on the best tracks, to great effect (especially "Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow").

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars simple but amazing, January 28, 2006

By 

Gift Card Recipient "Catholic and Proud" (Atlanta, GA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Catholic Classics, vol. V: Simple Gift of Praise (Audio CD)

The guitar and vocals on this CD will blow you away. Of all of the Catholic Classics CDs, this one is my favorite - an awesome way to learn some of those more traditional songs without a voicy choir.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Surprising, but beautifully done, January 11, 2006

By 

Arthem "arthem" (Knoxville, TN USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Catholic Classics, vol. V: Simple Gift of Praise (Audio CD)

I really expected a more traditional arrangement with organ & choir, so I was in for a bit of a shock right off the bat. The arrangements are relatively simple with one or two voices and limited orchestration. However the effect is wonderful. The primary singer has an unusual high and clear voice, and the harmonies raise goosebumps with their beauty (all I know about music I learned from my highschool punk rock band, so you'll have to listen to the tracks above if my description is unclear).

Some of the tracks are forgettable, but the others are truly outstanding. "Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow" is wonderful, and exceeded only by "Holy God, We Praise Thy Name." The mixture of latin chant with vernacular on "For the Beauty of the Earth/Ubi Caritas" and "Go Silent Friend/In Paradisium" was tastefully done. The performers and arrangers also rescued the otherwise saccharine "How Great Thou Art" and turned it into a genuinely inspiring hymn, although they were unable to accomplish a similar feat with the thoroughly overplayed "Amazing Grace."

So many other people have beautiful renditions of Ave Maria, so the track on this CD barely registers for me. Panis Angelicus is done better on many other disks as well.

Still, if it were only "Praise God..." and "Holy God..." on this CD, it would be worth the price. Truly excellent.