Conspirare: Through the Green Fuse [HYBRID SACD] [Hybrid SACD - DSD]

Conspirare (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 30, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Hybrid SACD - DSD
• Label: Clarion
• ASIN: B0006JMLDO
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #269,189 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Spirit Seeking Light and Beauty (Gaelic Hymn)

2. There Will Be Rest (Frank Ticheli)

3. Alchemy: Living Gold (Donald M. Skirvin)

4. Alchemy: Cups of Fire (Donald M. Skirvin)

5. Alchemy: Jewelled Blaze (Donald M. Skirvin)

6. Alchemy: O Beauty (Donald M. Skirvin)

7. With Joy We Go Dancing (Einojuhani Rautavaara)

8. Ruth (Paul Ayres)

9. Afro American Fragments: Song for Billie Holiday (William Averitt)

10. Afro American Fragments: Feet O' Jesus (William Averitt)

11. Afro American Fragments: Fire (William Averitt)

12. Hard Times Come Again No More (Stephen Foster, arr. Craig Hella Johnson)

13. Deep River (arr. Anders Paulsson)

14. This Is My Song - Finlandia (Jean Sibelius)

15. Autumn Flowers (Gordon Binkerd)

16. Smávinir Fagrir (Jon Nordal)

17. Sleep (Eric Whitacre)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Picky Minnesotan approves..., April 7, 2005

By 

Listener from Minnesota - See all my reviews

This review is from: Conspirare: Through the Green Fuse [HYBRID SACD] (Audio CD)

It's heartening for this Minnesotan to discover a choral group continuing on the tradition of impeccable quality that my state's own now-defunct Dale Warland Singers brought to ears for many years.

I had never heard of Conspirare, but will be looking out for more work from them! I enjoyed most every track and think anyone who enjoys sensitive, yet powerful choral singing will want to check this out.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful disc from the Austin-based Conspirare, November 16, 2006

By 

Joseph Hubbard (Pflugerville, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Conspirare: Through the Green Fuse [HYBRID SACD] (Audio CD)

I acquired this cd a couple of weeks ago and have not been able to take it out of my cd player since. This is a quality recording of a wide variety of choral literature, all of which Conspirare performs marvelously. A truly wonderful arrangement by Conspirare's own conductor, Craig Hella Johnson, "Hard Times" is actually one of my favorite tracks on the entire cd, the gorgeous soprano solo and the powerful climax never fail to give me chills. Also noteworthy is the stunning performance of the increasingly popular Ticheli piece, "There Will Be Rest." Almost all of the literature on this disc is very good, and it is all breathtakingly sung by Conspirare.

The only track I didn't like was the unbearably tacky arrangement of "Deep River." This is no fault of the choir as it is sung beautifully, but the singing just can't conquer the tackiness of the arrangement. I had already begun to develop a negative opinion of it as I listened, and then out of nowhere, this ridiculous wailing saxophone entered(a la Kenny G) and I was not braced for the impact. "This is really lame" is all I could think of as the sap oozed out in all its glory. He also has another go at it towards the end as well, just to warn you. This is just way too much to handle! Whenever you want ultimate cheese, adding a saxophone solo of this style is quite a simple solution. Needless to say, I skip this track every single time I come to it. However, this is only my humble opinion, and you should listen to it and pass your own judgment... perhaps this track is your perfect cup of tea!

Aside from this one track, I am absolutely in LOVE with what Conspirare has done here. If you can muster the funds, go ahead and treat yourself to a captivating gem of choral music. Highly recommended!

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Topnotch in every aspect., January 18, 2005

By 

Kevin "Choral Lover" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Conspirare: Through the Green Fuse [HYBRID SACD] (Audio CD)

Finally! An American choir that can rival the greats from Britain. This CD is amazing. Not only is the artistry and singing topnotch, the production values are impeccable. Plus, it's not the standard choral repertoire we've all grown bored with. I strongly recommend this CD to anyone who loves fine singing. I hope this is just one of many CDs to come.