Customer Reviews

The Power & The Majesty: Essential Choral Classics

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The three stars I have given this album are not for the performances, which are all tremendous and deserve five stars or more, but for the idea of releasing this sort of compilation. Every single one of these selections is part of a larger Shaw-recorded work already released by Telarc, and you are far better off seeking the complete recordings that all these pieces are from, than just buying a mere "sampler". (Shaw, however, never did get around to recording the complete " L' Enfance du Christ".) Of course, that can be very expensive for some people, and if one cannot afford all those recordings, I suppose this is the next best thing. One can't shake off the feeling, however, that because Shaw is no longer with us, Telarc is desperately trying to give the impression that "new" Shaw recordings are constantly being released by them, when the truth is that nearly all the new ones are mere recyclings. (The last complete Robert Shaw album released by Telarc was Dvorak's "Stabat Mater", a CD well worth buying.)

A wonderful album. I have several copies of Handel's Messiah, but the performance of the Hallelujah Chorus by Robert Shaw's singers is exceptional, outstanding. I was inspired to have my young son listen to this album: Verdi's "Dies Irae", Orff's "O Fortuna", and Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus".

Notice that there are 3 versions of "Dies Irae" on this album. It's nice to hear others. I am not normally a fan of Requiems. I will say that I do like Bach's Mass in B Minor and the Kyrie Eleison excerpted here is beautiful.

This was purchased to give my daughters an opportunity to hear a variety of choral compositions since she is thinking about a serious pursuit of vocal music. We appreciated the variety of the pieces and will probably purchase additional CD's based on our favorites from this one. The girls demanded to hear more from certain pieces!

I found the music to be tastefully done and a welcomed break from the pop the childen listen to on the radio. (Granted, my children have been exposed to classical music since they were babies so don't think this will work for every child!)

Very inspirational CD. This is one of those CD's that everyone should have a copy of. Many of the pieces will be recognized, and always enjoyed.

For anyone who wants to be transported by magnificent choral music, this CD has it all. Keep it in your car at all times!

I'm very satisfied with this product.

The sound quality is excellent.

The CD serves me well with the group I sing with.

A nice collection of inspiring choral classics. Richly orchestrated and sung with heart and energy. Highly recommended for the opera buff and spiritually enlightened.

I just enjoy in it very much. The best of the choir music in very good performance.

This CD could be the cornerstone of your choral music library! Wonderful performances of all of the essential choral pieces give a wonderful introduction to choral music for someone new to it, and also give a nice sampler of the best pieces for someone already familiar with the music. Listening to each excerpt may inspire you to purchase the entire work!

As you would expect of performances by Robert Shaw's groups, these performances are really extraordinary and show the best of American choral singing.

This album is so up-lifting. As the music soars, so do your spirits.