Search - Choral Project :: Of Christmastide

Precision and Beauty

12/15/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This choral group is truly an astonishing breath of fresh air. The singers have a surprising breadth of styles and sounds equal to the challenges of the music in this eclectic collection of old and new Christmas songs. It's difficult to pick favorites. Robert Young's "Sweet was the song" is surprisingly lush and beautiful. Two oldies with contemporary arrangements are worth noting: the rich "Boars Head Carol" and the gentle, floating "Lo, How A Rose." The Choral Project's rendition "O magnum mysterium," written by Morten Lauridsen, is haunting and ethereal. What makes this group of songs such a pleasure to listen to is the wonderful variety. Just when you are settled, figuratively-speaking, into a warm chair by the fire enjoying Vaughan Williams' "Wassail Song," you want to leap up and dance to the unexpectedly joyful "Betelehemu," an African celebration which incorporates great percussion from singers and instruments (did you ever wonder what those rain sticks were for?). A few numbers on the CD employ the accompaniment of organ, of chamber ensembles or percussion. The Choral Project's a cappella numbers, however, are what linger in the memory. They are nearly perfect -- so clear and pure as to remind one of Chanticleer and Anonymous Four. I will be interested to hear anything else this group does."

What a wonderful Christmas CD

11/03/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I love this CD. I count it as one of my holiday favorites. The selection of music is diverse yet familiar and festive. This would be a wonderful addition to anyone's collection. It makes a terrific stocking stuffer, too!"