Witness: What a Mighty God - Spirituals and Gospels for Chorus

Philip Brunelle (Conductor), VocalEssence Ensemble Singers and Chorus (Performer), Moore by Four Vocal Jazz Ensemble (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: VocalEssence Ensemble Singers and Chorus, Moore by Four Vocal Jazz Ensemble
• Conductor: Philip Brunelle
• Audio CD (February 10, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Clarion
• ASIN: B0001FVEPE
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #250,730 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Historically important choral music, wonderfully performed!, May 24, 2004

By 

AfroAmericanHeritage (Wisconsin) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Witness: What a Mighty God - Spirituals and Gospels for Chorus (Audio CD)

For over 10 years, The VocalEssence Ensemble Singers and Chorus (conducted by Philip Brunelle) has presented an enduring series of concerts showcasing the talents of trailblazing African American composers. Now this wealth of music is available outside the concert hall through a series of recordings called WITNESS.

WHAT A MIGHTY GOD presents 20th Century choral arrangements of music from the African American spiritual tradition rooted in spirituals and gospels, including Harry T. Burleigh's "My Lord, What a Mornin'" (1929), "Walk Together Children" (William Henry Smith, 1937) and more contemporary composers like Sanford Moore's "Go Tell It On The Mountain" (1993.)

There are excellent notes about the genre, however, in light of the historical significance of this music I'm surprised and disappointed to find no biographical information about the composers, not even birth and/or death dates, with this CD. I feel this is a crucial component in an "outreach" project like this, especially since most of these composers are not well known. Still I highly recommend it for the music alone.

The other three CDs are available as single titles, or in the boxed set THE WITNESS COLLECTION which includes:

WHAT A MIGHTY GOD: Spirituals and Gospels for Chorus
DANCE LIKE THE WIND: Music of Today's Black Composers
GOT THE SAINT LOUIS BLUES: Classical Music in the Jazz Age
SKYWARD MY PEOPLE ROSE: Music of William Grant Still

1 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars One to Grow On, April 3, 2009

By 

S. Stephens "gospel music lover" (albany, ny United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Witness: What a Mighty God - Spirituals and Gospels for Chorus (Audio CD)

I guess this will have to grow on you. It is very nice cd of choirs who are looking for appella songs. Entertaing but just dont hold my interest for too long.