Customer Reviews

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

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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

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.