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Christmas at St. George's - A Festival of Carols

11/28/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Wilma Jensen, choirmaster at St. George's for 19 years, has assembled an introspective assortment of original 20th-century Christmas choral works and popular arrangements. The listener should be forewarned: This is not your typical "fa la la" Christmas collection. This music offers more a reflective, quiet commentary and less a noisy, joyous celebration.
A hushed, contemplative atmosphere permeates the 75-minute CD, with composers and arangers including Rutter, Willcock, Luboff, Guest, Britten, Alain, Manz and Lauridsen. The 1986 Casavant organ features prominently in several of the works."

Review from " The American Organist"

11/28/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Wilma Jensen leads choir and instrumentalists at St. George's Episcopal Church, Nashville, Tenn., with accompanist Elizabeth Smith (1986 Casavant, III/85). If the Nashville scene were to lose all of its courntry-western potentates, a praiseworthy "scene" still would exist, and queen of same would be Wilma Jensen, who for nearly two decades has refined her choir to the highest level of quality. Rhythmically coherent, precise of pitch, and united in enunciation, ensemble and attitude, the 50-plus volunteer and professional voices sing with clarity and conviction. Their style is non-dogmatic, non-vibrato singing that is incisive and rich as necessary, and their program is refreshingly full of delectable and unhackneyed recent repertoire, with just enought old favorites to keep things friendly. The overall emotional content empahsizes the reflective elements of the Christmas mystery. Among touching moments is Christi John's limpid soprano solo in the Alain vocalise...and its segue to J.J. Niles's famous song of the wondering wanderer, and the marvelous "Sleep of the Infant Jesus," a chamber music lullaby for cello, harp and organ. For refreshment and sheer beauty, this is a disc that can be enjoyed year-round... "American Organist," July 2001"