Choral Music From Around the World
05/05/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This disc represents the direction that the St. Olaf choir has moved in since Anton Armstrong became the director in 1990. He has continued the long legacy of traditional a capella singing the choir is known for, while also expanding the repertoire to include more Caribbean, African and spiritual music. In this single collection the choir sings in Latin, English, Norwegian, French and Swahili. Ernani Aguiar's "Salmo 150" stands out as a testament to the technical skills of the choir, while "O Sifuni Mungu" and "He Never Failed Me Yet" will move even the most stoic of listeners to sway in rhythm. All of this is surrounded by the traditional repertoire and sound of the St. Olaf Choir represented beautifully with works by Handel and Grieg. "O Day Full of Grace," written by the choir's founder F. Melius Christiansen, alone makes the disc a worthwhile purchase."