New Dawn [Enhanced]

Libera (Artist), Johann Sebastian Bach (Composer), Giulio Caccini (Composer), Enya (Composer), Steven Geraghty (Composer), Don Kay (Composer), New English Hymnal (Composer), Hubert Parry (Composer), Robert Prizeman (Composer), Robert Skellern (Composer), Brian Wilson (Composer), Robert Prizeman (Conductor, Performer), City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra), Ian Tilley (Performer), Steven Geraghty (Performer), Ian Lynn (Performer), Sam Coates (Performer), Fiona Pears (Performer), Benedict Philipp (Performer), Edward Day (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Robert Prizeman, Ian Tilley, Steven Geraghty, Ian Lynn, Sam Coates, et al.
• Orchestra: City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra
• Conductor: Robert Prizeman
• Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach, Giulio Caccini, Enya, Steven Geraghty, Don Kay, et al.
• Audio CD (September 2, 2008)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced
• Label: Emi Classics
• ASIN: B0013D8K1Y
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #33,346 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #53 in Music > Classical > Opera & Vocal > Vocal Non-Opera > Hymns

Editorial Reviews

Enya's Orinoco Flow and Bach's Air on a G string; the disc also includes a track penned by Brian Wilson called 'Love and Mercy'. This is the song Libera performed to a star-studded audience in Washington DC before Christmas at the Kennedy Centre Honours, an audience which included President Bush, Robert De Niro, Cameron Diaz and Brian Wilson himself. The talented singers of Libera come from a variety of different schools and backgrounds in London and join together at a church in South London where they rehearse and perform for many hours each week. The youngest is seven and the oldest members are fourteen. Alongside their unique Libera music, the boy singers enjoy a wide repertoire from classical and cathedral pieces to works for pop and media productions. In recent years they have sung on films like 'Romeo & Juliet' and 'Hannibal' and with singers like Bjork, Elton John & Pavarotti. Libera is directed by Robert Prizeman, the well respected musical advisor to the BBC religious TV programme Songs of Praise. Robert arranges, if not writes all of the music that Libera perform. Sales of Libera's albums worldwide are now over 300,000 and the boys have a strong following of fans.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great New CD from Libera, April 8, 2008

By 

Bruce638 "Bruce" (Grand Blanc, MI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: New Dawn (Audio CD)

Apparently the US release of "New Dawn" was delayed significantly. After waiting several weeks for the Amazon US release, I was fortunate enough to procure a copy while driving through Canada on my way home from a Libera concert.

While some of the previous Libera recordings contained new versions of works they had previously recorded, "New Dawn" contains pretty much all new material. It contains a wide repertoire from more contemporary songs like Enya's "Orinoco Flow" and Brian Wilson's "Love and Mercy" to classically inspired songs such as "In Paradisum" based on the Mass. Of course it was "Love and Mercy" that Libera performed for a host of dignitaries during the Kennedy Center Honors in December, 2007.

Everything on the CD is very well done. After meeting some of the boys from Libera and really comprehending how young many of them are, I am even more impressed with the quality and professionalism of their music. Libera is not just another boy's choir. They have a very unique sound. I would recommend this CD to anyone.

In order to keep this review short, I will just comment on a few of my favorite numbers. "Gloria" is based on the third movement of Camille Saint-Saens' Third Symphony (a.k.a. "The Organ Symphony.") This has always been one of my favorites. The vocal treatment in "Gloria" is very uplifting.

I don't recall hearing "Rest in Peace" (by Peter Skellern) prior to the Libera concert I attended, but it is fast becoming one of my favorites on the "New Dawn" CD. Tom Cully did the solo at the concert as well as on the CD. His technical proficiency on this number (as well as others) is phenomenal - especially considering that he's only 13. This song is very beautiful, and I think a lot of people will find it very inspirational. If you like "Rest in Peace," you'll also like "May the Road Rise Up" base on the traditional Irish blessing. Robert Prizeman, the director and conductor of Libera, wrote this.

Finally, I need to mention "The Lamb" by William Blake and Don Kay. While I was not previously familiar with this number, I think it is meant to portray a small child talking to a lamb. Benedict Phillip (a.k.a. "mini Ben" if you've seen the DVD or been to a concert) is the soloist. His voice is so charming on this piece, and it gives just the right feel to it.

Again, this is another great CD from Libera and highly recommended.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Libera New Dawn, March 31, 2008

By 

Richard A. Patton "BoyScout" (Ormond Beach, FL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: New Dawn (Audio CD)

Viva Libera!!

Bravo, Another outstanding album! "New Dawn" contains a number of new selections by Libra.
As usual Tom Cully, Josh Madine, Liam Connery and Ed Day demonstrate their abilities in the "Air" (on the G string) these solos are absolutely beautiful. You must hear it to believe the awesome beauty!

"Ave Maria", and in "In Paradisum" are repeats but done very well. I truly would love to hear the Schubert version of Ave Maria, the group would bring a new vista to this old favorite.

On the negative side, I particularly like Jerusalem, it is one of my favorites. The boys did an outstanding job for what they did, that is to say they did not perform the entire song. I would suggest that they do the full version on a future album.

If you are a Libera fan, as I am this album is a must have! If you are new to Libera's melodic tones and harmony this is a great place to start. Buy it!!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars boy wonders of London, April 29, 2008

By 

PQ (East Hartford, CT United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: New Dawn (Audio CD)

This cd is a reflection of their current US concert tour. I was fortunate enough to see them in Hartford recently. I purchased a couple of cd's of theirs before buying concert tickets. After hearing them, I immediately got the tickets. It was one of the best live musical experiences I've had in years. I'd recommend this to any lover of male choral music.