sacred miscellany

One of the first countries to become Christian, Armenia is a mystery to most of us. This recording done by John Graham at Geghard Monastery is more than beautiful.  It is a connection to a different place and time. Graham is a historical musicologist resident in Georgia (the country, not the state) who coordinates tours in this region. His website at  John Graham Tours  is rich with photos and commentary - and of course, massive amounts of music, both sacred and folk. I stumbled across his site several years ago. And now I'm saving my shekels, pennies, euros, pesos, etc. for a tour. In the meantime, take a look at these amazing countries and people. There is so much beauty in this world when we take our eyes off the sidewalk in front of us, isn't there?

What more could anyone ask for? Thanks, Sjaella.

What better way to start a New Year than with music as creative and beautiful as this. The ensemble is Cypriot and of course, the lyrics are obscure - mountains and eagles. Starting off with a rainstorm of hand percussion, hang in there. It's worth it for the singing.

Here's a nice seasonal (OK, a little early) work by a Northern Irish composer. Sean Doherty (born 1987) is also a member of the New Dublin Voices. He has won numerous prizes and is getting a good amount of performance. Interesting note: his Ph.D. dissertation was "Solfaing: A History of Four-Syllable Solmization to the Present Day." I'm sure this would be a treat to read for all the shape-note singers out there with a scholarly bent.

It's time again for the International Baltic Sea Choir Competition. This performance is by a Turkish women's choir, Sirene. The Hungarian composer, Miklos Koscar died this year (1933-2019).

Okay, I promise to get off the VOCES8 kick for a time, but I just had to post this one because of the smooth movement through the dissonances. And also because I really liked it. I didn't know anything about William Henry Harris, primarily remembered for his Anglican church music. Google his name and learn even more about Doc H.

One of the Coronation anthems. Why the giraffes? I have no idea. The choir is King's College and I believe there are no giraffes on the roster. Nonetheless some mornings just cry out for something triumphant.

OK - this is my very, very favorite ensemble right now. The repertoire, the balance, the women's voices.  And yes, the men aren't bad either.

Blend, balance, amazing dynamic range - what more could you want with the work from Rachmaninoff's Vespers. Usually sung by much larger ensembles, this small group enables you to follow the lines easily. Here's a fine large ensemble recording for contrast. If you were a Russian, you'd go for the large group. If you were an American early music type, you'd go for VOCES8. I love them both!

Here's a slow, lined-out hymn. For many of us, it may seem excruciatingly slow. However, when you begin to poke around in the hymnody of those groups that have remained separate, such as the Amish and the Old Regulars, you find all the hymns are slow. And it's my guess that chant was very much like this in its own time. When you explore folk traditions from Native American to Bulgarian, you'll find a great deal of slow singing. We're just in a hurry nowadays.

If you've ever tried to keep a choir together while they're walking - especially walking AWAY from you, you'll appreciate this. Best moment - the director's smile at the very end.

The only order that has never needed reform! Enjoy the differences between this version of the Salve regina and that of the Benedictines or the Roman antiphonale.

So nice and smooth - and with the unhurried quality I associate with monastic singing. Not dragging, but not sounding as though they're thinking of what they want to do next. This monastery was the birthplace of my two salterios. One went to a dear friend, the other to the Abbey of St. Meinrad. Enjoy the abbey's website -  https://www.encalcat.com/ .

Listen and enjoy! If you want to know more about the ensemble, its members, etc., go to  http://www.voces8.com . Amazing singing.

This is a lovely trio, not sacred but beautiful. And it's accompanied by lovely photos of Wales. The singers are part of a band called Plentyn. And I could only find information on them in Welsh. It is a song of farewell. The singer is leaving for England to find work with harp and song.

A wonderful setting of Hildegard's chant. The composer is my favorite of the moment, Ola Gjeilo, and the singers are Sjaella. It's rather long at 4 minutes and 36 seconds, but nothing by Hildegard is short. Entrancing listening as I'm having a second cup of coffee from my Hildegard of Bingen mug (jealous, aren't you?). Learn more about this Leipzig-based ensemble from their website at  https://sjaella.de/start-en.html Of course, those beautiful voices are matched with good looks and youthful spirit. For the scoop on Ola, go to  http://olagjeilo.com/

I'm posting two versions of this wonderful Gospel song. The first is perfect for your college or church choir, nice and smooth with some hand clapping at the end.The second is the rough-edged version recorded in Alabama with Bernice Williams leading the singing and lots of heart. She was the daughter of Dewey Williams, leader of the Wiregrass Sacred Harp Singers and a Heritage award winner.

It's my opinion that you just can't go wrong with this ensemble. And for all you lovers of William Byrd's music, this is quite tasty. Since a two-for-one seems appropriate on the first day of summer, here's is a second video by VOCES8 of the well-known song by Stephen Paulus, "The Road Home." While this piece is very popular with collegiate choirs, its sentiment is perhaps more apt for those who have traveled further on life's path. Enjoy one or both! And welcome to summer.

A composer from Norway, a women's ensemble in the Netherlands - and with this piece a felicitous combination.  Based on one of the best chants out there. You can learn more about Gjeilo (pronounced Yay-low) from his website . The ensemble Vocaal Kerkrade also has a website in Dutch . And sometimes just listening is enough!

Why do I love this particular song? It's the energy that suffuses the singing and the wonderful little riffs that are added in the bass.