Customer Reviews

European Horizons

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This fine recording is the best--particularly of the Dvorak Te Deum. The color and perfection of the chorus blends perfectly with one of the worlds finest orchestras. The Mortensen Lux Aeterna, a relatively recent composition, blends subtle harmonies and magnificent sweeping phrases. The "O Nata Lux" section is sublime, and the "Veni, Sancti" is lively and demonstrates the versatility of the chorus. I would highly recommend this fabulous recording

Fans of Donald Kendrick's Sacramento Choral Society will delight in the newly released double CD of last summer's European concert tour by the group. The tour included concerts in four European cities (Munich, Prague, Vienna and Budapest) where the choir was accompanied by host orchestras, all conducted by Mr. Kendrick. The recorded concert, held in Budapest, was the last of the tour.

Entitled "European Horizons," this most impressively packaged two-CD set includes three grand choral works by the 170-voice choir together with an eight-page insert of liner notes that include the librettos for all three works, full bios on the soloists and Mr. Kendrick and a complete list of all the singers in the choir (along with some splendid photos of the Lizst Academy where the concert was recorded). The CDs themselves have been superbly pressed with an excellent graphic design that includes the details of the performance clearly presented under another shot of the hall.

But the packaging, as good as it is, isn't nearly as impressive as the recordings themselves. These are crisp, state-of-the-art, digitalized audio reproductions that capture the intimacy of what must have been thrilling live experiences.

And the music is grand indeed. Our favorite of the three works is the hauntingly beautiful "Lux Aeterna" by Morton Lauridsen. The choir sang it beautifully in several hometown performances last year, but it sounds even better on this CD. Especially memorable is the gorgeous a cappella second movement. Whether it was the acoustics of the Lizst Academy or just the precision of the voices under Mr. Kendrick's direction, that single movement alone is worth the price of the entire CD set. The tonal quality is exquisite on this section of the work, and the rest of the performance is equally strong. The work is a great addition to the choral repertoire, and this near perfect rendition of it is a significant achievement for this very fine musical organization.

As great as the Lauridsen is, the other two works are not exactly chopped liver either. Franz Joseph Haydn's "Harmoniemesse" is also full of beautifully textured passages. On this larger work, the soloists also shine. Soprano Robin Fisher, mezzo/alto Elspeth Franks, tenor Lorin Miller and bass/baritone Stephen Janzen all add immeasurably to the high quality of the entire collection.

The third work is Dvorak's "Te Deum." While it has its moments of choral splendor, this piece of exuberant bombast is a bit of a twist on the other two offerings in that the choir supports the soloists, who have the more interesting parts of the score, and the orchestra, instead of the other way around. And the orchestra here, the Budapest Concert Orchestra, is another highlight, carrying the soaring finale to a resounding close.

"European Horizons" is a triumph for this superb organization. Far from being a novelty collector's item solely intended for local residents who have enjoyed the SCSO concerts, this CD set is a valuable addition to any collection of the great choral/orchestral works of the classical repertoire. It is now available for purchase on Amazon.com for $19.95. We recommend it highly.