The Bel Canto ensemble of the Nebraska Children’s Chorus offers another eclectic program of works the majority of which were written or arranged for young voices. (To read about one of this group’s earlier releases, Homeland, type Q6310 in Search Reviews.) If you know anything about this sort of repertoire–compositions by such names as Kodály, Rautavaara, Sallinen, and former King’s Singers member Bob Chilcott–you know that just because it’s for younger singers doesn’t mean there’s any sacrifice of musical sophistication or technical challenge. In fact, many of these pieces would prove a demanding undertaking for any choir, the point being that if you think this is “kids’ stuff”, think again.
From the lovely unison sound (perfect vowels and generally solid intonation) of Hildegard’s Caritas Abundat to the complex harmonies and rhythms of the Agnus Dei from Rautavaara’s A Children’s Mass, you’ll be impressed with this choir’s consummate musicianship and interpretive expertise. For some reason, the best music and performances come during the disc’s second half, with stunning renditions of Lloyd Pfautsch’s Laughing Song, Sallinen’s Sympaatti (No. 2 “Lauluja mereita”), Magos a rutafa by Hungarian composer Lajos Bárdos, Kodály’s Táncnóta, Chilcott’s quick and wild Sobre el cielo de las margaritas ando (I’m walking over a sky of daisies), the Japanese folksong Konpira fune fune, Alexander Tilley’s poignant setting of In Flanders Fields, Karl Jenkins’ mesmerizing and powerful Adiemus, and the concluding Ev’ry time I feel the spirit.
Somewhat bothersome (true of the earlier disc as well) is the lack of notes on the music–and the seemingly careless omission of information such as who arranged (very effectively, by the way) the Handel selection Lascia ch’io pianga, or texts and translations of the Hungarian pieces and Chilcott’s settings in Spanish. Of course, the inclusion of these things would enhance our enjoyment of the music, but their absence doesn’t prevent us from savoring the pure pleasure of these vibrant, vital, exceptional voices who not only know the transcendent excitement and wonder of singing but bring it directly to us with profound sincerity and impressive skill.
