The disc’s title refers to the program’s repertoire, chosen to “reflect the heart of human existence–a passion for God, country, love, and life itself.” The selections are both contemporary and from the past century, and they include some current choral-composer favorites–Morten Lauridsen (Soneto de la Noche), Eric Whitacre (A Boy and a Girl), and Osvaldo Golijov (Demos Gracias al Señor). Seasoned choral fans will be pleased not only with the variety among the 20 works, but also with the presence of so many excellent yet rarely-heard pieces, from William Mathias’ Laetentur Coeli and O nata lux to Benjamin Britten’s Chorale, György Ligeti’s exciting Reggel (Morning–which depicts church bells and roosters!), and Leonard Bernstein’s charming French Choruses–incidental music from the play The Lark–heard here in the versions from the original 1955 production. There’s also William Hawley’s fine arrangement of Beautiful River and Moses Hogan’s wild and wonderful setting of My Soul’s Been Anchored in the Lord (where did those sopranos come from?!).
Although I was delighted to see the inclusion of Daniel Gawthrop’s Mary Speaks (an inspired–and inspiring–setting of the beautiful Madeleine L’Engle poem), this was the only place where the choir (in this case only the women) missed the interpretive mark. The deliberate, straightforward pace denies the phrases their true expressive possibilities and doesn’t allow the striking harmonies to make their full effect. The vocal sound is lovely, but more rubato, more sensitivity to pauses and phrasing would have made a better performance.
Nevertheless, the Santa Fe Desert Chorale, a professional choir that meets and performs each summer and in December, is an outstanding ensemble whose 20 voices seem capable of singing virtually anything. And if you didn’t know this during the recording’s first 55 minutes, you’ll certainly be a believer after the disc’s concluding work, a double-choir arrangement by Jack Manno of Bernstein’s famous Overture from Candide. This is an absolutely stunning performance that’s worth the price of the disc, five minutes of non-stop vocal virtuosity, with the singers transforming instrumental parts into a surprisingly new and infectiously fun listening experience. And again, those sopranos are amazing, soaring in the stratosphere most of the time and never losing energy or pitch. Piccolos? No problem–these women can do piccolos! The sound is just fine, and informative notes by conductor Linda Mack complete a terrific package, essential for choral music lovers. [4/24/2006]
