Customer Reviews

Gentle Words: Shaker Songs Arranged by Kevin Siegfried

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Of this CD's twenty-eight tracks, eighteen are arrangements by Kevin Siegfried; the remaining ten are straightforward, unadorned performances of Shaker hymns, sung either by the choir in unison, or by a solo voice, as they would have been sung in Shaker services. Occasionally the choir stomps and claps, also as the Shakers would have done. The unison songs and Kevin's settings blend seamlessly together, since Kevin's music is very sensitive to the spirit of the original tunes. His harmonies have an open, rough-hewn quality to them, like early American furniture, sturdy and useful. The music carefully mirrors and supports the text, occasionally employing mixed meter to follow the natural cadences of speech. The settings are largely homophonic, like Lutheran chorales, rendering the text easily comprehensible. Kevin avoids unnecessary embellishments and repetitions, and each piece is a small, well-proportioned gem, averaging about two minutes in length. In the liner notes, Kevin writes of his desire to preserve the Shaker ideals of "beauty, simplicity, and utility" in his settings, and he has succeeded brilliantly; the music is unassuming, serene, and peaceful.

This recording of Shaker Hymns arranged by composer Kevin Siegfried and sung by the very fine Tudor Choir of Seattle is magnificent for several reasons chief of which is the careful blending of text and music in the arrangements. The "gentle words" of these hymns come alive through Siegfried's thoughtful soundscapes, providing the right context for the message of these poignant and life affirming hymns. This is no small task and although the Tudor Choir sings beautifully throughout, it is the arranging that has really caught my ear on this cd; you'd be hard pressed to find a recording of choral works with a better marriage of text and music. Well worth your money, time, and ears.

This is truly an incredible recording of some of the most inspiring spiritual music. I actually was looking for a digital version of Music of the Shakers, which I own on vinyl, when I discovered this lovely, authentic sounding recording. Along with Simple Gifts: Shaker Chants and Spirituals, featuring Joel Cohen and the Boston Camerata ,Schola Cantorum and the actual surviving Shakers of Sabbathday Lake, I now consider this to be one of the finest recordings of traditional Shaker spiritual music and an important edition to any collection of music from this unique Christian religious sect or period of American religious history.

The current recording is a cappella, without orchestral embellishment, the voices providing alone providing the harmonies of praise -- lending authenticity to the experience. In addition the recording features some lesser known works rather than simply including works heard today in Christian congregations or revised by classical composers for symphonic works and suites.

I would also suggest I Am Filled with Heavenly Treasures, which is currently available, as another wonderful addition to the library of anyone building a collection of music in this tradition. I'd also recommend Golden Harvest: 38 Shaker Chants & Spirituals and, though not specifically Shaker music,
Rivers of Delight / Folk Hymns which features American folk hymns featuring "shape-note" tradition of the American South, raw, edgy and moving.

A purely enjoyable listen. Of interest from a musicological standpoint as part of our U.S. history. The lives and worship of the Shakers comes forth in the lovely arrangements by Siegfried, which maintain the harmonic intent of the songs along with the strength of the words.