Lux Aurumque

Alexander Grechaninov (Composer), Howard Hanson (Composer), Vytautas Miskinis (Composer), Herbert Howells (Composer), Pavel Chesnokov (Composer), John Rutter (Composer), Morten Lauridsen (Composer), Eric Whitacre (Composer), Franz Biebl (Composer), Alfred Schnittke (Composer), Sergey Rachmaninov (Composer), Dominick Argento (Composer), Nikolai Golovanov (Composer), Dale Warland (Conductor), Lynnette Johnson (Performer), Lynette Johnson (Performer), Teresa Tierney (Performer), Joel C. Fischer (Performer), Eric N. Hopkins (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Lynnette Johnson, Lynette Johnson, Teresa Tierney, Joel C. Fischer, Eric N. Hopkins
• Conductor: Dale Warland
• Composer: Alexander Grechaninov, Howard Hanson, Vytautas Miskinis, Herbert Howells, Pavel Chesnokov, et al.
• Audio CD (May 8, 2007)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Gothic Records
• ASIN: B000NVIXNW
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #68,601 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #59 in Music > Classical > Opera & Vocal > Vocal Non-Opera > Anthems

Editorial Reviews

"The Dale Warland Singers' intonation and clarity of choral texture do nothing less than amaze." -- American Choral Catalog

"Outstanding ensemble singing, highlighted by lovely legatos and unisons and by consistently sensitive sectional and group balances." -- ClassicsToday

"The seamless blend and rich sound of what is probably America's best chorus is on display." -- Seattle Weekly

The sequel to their beloved Cathedral Classics CD. Includes Morten Lauridsen's enormously popular O Magnum Mysterium. The program is a collection of cathedral masterpieces from various countries--Germany, England, Russia, Latvia, Russia, and the US. The final Dale Warland Singers CD recording before their disbandment in 2004. Within its first month, the Dale Warland Singers' previous release on Gothic (Harvest Home) became the label's best-selling CD ever, and hit Billboard's Top 20 Classical Chart. Based in Minneapolis/St. Paul, the group was recognized as one of the world's foremost a cappella choral ensembles. This forty-voice professional choir recently celebrated its thirty-first, and final, season of concerts, tours, radio broadcasts, and critically acclaimed recordings following the retirement of founder and director Dale Warland.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the "best" of the best group ever, June 15, 2007

By 

Paul C. Jeske "choral nut" (Sacramento, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Lux Aurumque (Audio CD)

This final recording of America's finest choral group ever (my apologies to Shaw and Wagner)and brings a fitting close to their impressive recording history. A follow-up to their original Catherdral Classics CD, a best seller, this CD has something for everyone. Tons of Russian work done with impeccable intonation, and spectacular performances of newer 20th and 21st century composers. Highlights most certainly are John Rutter's "Hymn to the Creator of Light" and 35 year-old Eric Whitaker's "Lux Aurumque". Both are performed with reverence and delicacy reminding the listener that this is singing from the heart by professionals at the top of their game. Bravo, Dr. Warland....

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Extraordinary, September 17, 2007

By 

Kevin Lash (Princeton, NJ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Lux Aurumque (Audio CD)

The Dale Warland Singers' recordings cannot be missed by lovers of choral music, nor by any lover of fine singing, and this one goes right to the top of the list. It stands, hand in hand with their "Cathedral Classics" (featuring tremendous performances of the Martin Mass and Howells Requiem), as superlative evidence of the marvelous achievements possible in a cappella choral singing. Various flaws can mar many ensembles' otherwise strong performances, but not here; this disc enthralled me as few others ever have. Solid, expert, tender throughout. The repertory is gorgeous, a fitting program for Warland's final offering. Just to name one piece, I've waited long for a great recording of Chesnokov's Spaseniye (Salvation is Created), and indeed this one may not be surpassed for a very long time. Listen to its softest moments: balance, precision, motion, phrase giving way to phrase... all of this and never failing to be beautiful. This harsh critic has rarely been so impressed; I wish, if only it were possible, that every fine work of choral music had been recorded by Warland and his extraordinary ensemble. Bravo.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning!, November 10, 2007

By 

Steve Ferrin (UT, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lux Aurumque (Audio CD)

This album is fantastic. For years I have searched for the perfect recording of Salvation Is Created, and I believe the search is over. It is as close to perfection as humanly possible. This music is a must have. Whitacre's Lux Aurumque has long been a favorite, and this is the finest I have ever heard it performed. It is so well done that it transports the listener into a blissful, soul-searching world made entirely of sound. For me, these two are the highlights, but the remaining works are no less worthy of praise. The recording is crystal clear, and you may as well be standing in front of them.
Bravo!