Evocation of the Spirit

Henryk Gorecki (Composer), Arvo Part (Composer), Frank [1] Martin (Composer), Samuel Barber (Composer), Arnold Schoenberg (Composer), Robert Shaw Festival Singers (Performer), Donna Carter (Performer), Arietha Lockhart (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Robert Shaw Festival Singers, Donna Carter, Arietha Lockhart
• Composer: Henryk Gorecki, Arvo Part, Frank [1] Martin, Samuel Barber, Arnold Schoenberg
• Audio CD (March 28, 1995)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Telarc
• ASIN: B000003D19
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #145,452 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Gorecki: Totus Tuus

2. Magnificat

3. I. Kyrie

4. II. Gloria

5. III. Credo

6. IV. Sanctus

7. V. Agnus Dei

8. Agnus Dei

9. Friede Auf Erden

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Haunting, Insistent, Beauty, October 30, 2000

By 

NotATameLion (Michigan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Evocation of the Spirit (Audio CD)

This disc is a soaring masterpiece of truly sublime music. These five pieces of twentieth century choral music shine with the beauty of the moon on a cloudless winter night. Each piece is distinctive; yet they all have a certain quality in common. Robert Shaw and his singers give stunning performances of every one of these pieces.

"Totus, Tuus" a motet by Henryk Gorecki leads off the disc. It is stunningly simple. It is also subtly insistent. It is an excellent vehicle by which to be drawn into the rest of the disc.

Arvo Part's "Magnificat" has an earthier sound dwelling underneath the gently whispering soprano. The liner notes dub the style as being the result of the composer's use of "primitive" materials in the composition of the work. I don't know much about that, but I certainly like the sound of the finished product.

The Mass for double chorus a cappella by Frank Martin is the centerpiece of this disc; a worthily so. Martin probably was, until recently, the least known of these composers. This disc and a few others have been rectifying that situation. Sometimes likened to the work of Palestrina (a favorite of mine) Martin's mass is truly dynamic. This mass has a charged yet timeless feeling to it. The haunting Gloria alone is worth the price of this disc.

Speaking of the price of this disc...Whatever you feel about the other music contained on this recording, I urge you to get a copy just to listen to The Agnus Dei by Samuel Barber. It is based on his mournful Adagio for Strings. To hear this is to hear sheer beauty.

Rounding out the songs on this disc is Friede auf Erden by Arnold Schoenberg. It is probably the least accessible of the pieces; but is also a thing of beauty.

This disc is wonderful. It is great music for using in times of contemplation. It is also great just to listen to for the sheer beauty. I recommend it.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Spiritual!, April 25, 2002

By 

D. Seymour "snadmus" (Atlanta, GA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Evocation of the Spirit (Audio CD)

This is a magnificent recording. Even though, a capella CD's can sometimes be hard to stomach, I find myself listening to this disc again and again. This recording will literally lift your spirits. Gorecki's Totus Tuus is epitome of sublime, easing effortlessly across the span of 11 minutes. Part's Magnificat is a little darker in tone, but if you are patient it will blossom repeatedly. Martin's Mass is somewhere between ethereal and madrigal. Barber's Agnus Dei, based on his Adagio for Strings, is uncannily eerie, yet powerfully cathartic at the same time. Finally, Schoenberg's Peace on Earth is emotionally buoyant, absolutely gorgeous, and sadly, just as relevant now as it was when it was written almost a century ago. The aural depth captured by Telarc will engulf you in sound. Shaw conducts each of these modern masterpieces with aplomb and the Festival Singers sing their lungs out. An exciting album, it is definitely worth being a part of anyone's collection.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Shaws best, April 30, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Evocation of the Spirit (Audio CD)

This is my favorite recording of Shaw, and the Festival Singers. The music, though from different composers, all fits together on this album as if it were designed as a concept. What a beautiful concept it is, with music of stunning grace and beauty, performed almost inhumanly beautifully, in a venue without equal, and to top it all off, recorded superbly! This CD is my vote for the finest vocal recording of all time.