Search - Moralee, Wight, Mcvicker :: Hear My Prayer

One Good Voice, One Exceptional Voice

Gracejoy | New York, NY United States | 06/23/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD presents a nice, if not entirely original, selection of music performed by the Choirboy and Choirgirl of the Year. There is a good balance of solo pieces and duets. Specific details are below:GAVIN MORALEE: Although he is not the best treble I have ever heard, young Moralee has a pleasant, slight airy voice -- innocent and sweet in the "classic" English choirboy way, with virtually no vibrato anywhere. Technically he is not perfect, but nowhere on the recording does he make any serious bobbles. Pitch-wise he is always good and he is especially sweet and clear on the high notes. What he lacks is a certain amount of polish and control -- he does not sound as musically mature as Connor Burrowes, say, or Aled Jones. But he does have a very pretty, gentle voice. Of his solos, my favorites are the "Pie Jesu" and "All My Desire Thou Art", both of which he performs so delicately and sweetly you can't help but be moved -- these pieces seem particularly suited to his kind of vibrato-less voice. "All My Desire Thou Art" is a relatively high piece and he executes those notes especially beautifully, completely unforced, very pure -- truly lovely. "Hear My Prayer" and "How Beautiful Are The Feet" are also nicely sung and worth listening to more than once. For some reason I am not as fond of his "Ave Maria" (Gounod) -- but then again I am not particularly fond of that piece, anyway. Although I doubt he is destined to become anyone's all-time favorite choirboy, Moralee is a fine young singer with a sweet and distinctly "British" sound.FIONA WIGHT has a lovely voice! It is sweet and strong, controlled and precise. I was really pleasantly surprised to hear such a beautiful voice. She sings each piece with feeling and emotion, but never exaggerated or overly dramatic. Her voice is slightly similar to Charlotte Church's, but MUCH better -- more refined and not as much superfluous vibrato. So if you're a Charlotte Church fan I can tell you now, you will love Fiona Wight. Her "Ave Maria" (Schubert) is just lovely, with just the right amount of gentle vibrato on the extended notes. Even if you already have a recording of this piece, her rendition is worth hearing. "O Praise The Lord" is an upbeat, peppy piece and she executes it just wonderfully -- I can't imagine another choirgirl being able to pull off a better performance. "Make a Joyful Noise" is not my type of song, but I actually enjoyed listening to it because of the sheer quality of this girl's voice. Her other solo pieces are all well done and none of them should disappoint you. Gavin Moralee is a fine treble, but Fiona Wight's voice is the real glory on this CD.THE DUETS: Gavin Moralee and Fiona Wight sing several duets on this CD, all of the performed very well. The two voices are quite distinct, Gavin's more flute-like and pure, Fiona's fuller and richer -- but both voices are sweet and combine nicely when they sing together. "Esurientes" is especially well done, and if you like Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Pie Jesu", you will like their rendition of it.OVERALL: This CD is a worthy purchase for anyone who likes the sound of a choirboys and/or choirgirls. Gavin Moralee's voice is sweet, and Fiona Wight's is exceptional. Both have a good number of solos, balanced by some nice duets. I don't think you will be disappointed."

What Fine Voices!

suzanne | London | 11/21/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I bought 'Hear My Prayer' a few years ago, and it is still one of my favourite compilations of all time.
Gavin Moralee's voice is so pure and sweet, and I love the way he sweeps over high phrases with so much ease.
There are no words to describe how beautiful Fiona Wight's voice is. She manages to send cold shivers down my spine with her rendition of Ave Maria (Schubert) and Panis Angelicus (Franck)! She uses vibrato where it is needed, but not excessively.
The duets are fun. I find Esurientes (Vivaldi) especially enjoyable.
Overall, this cd is definitely worth listening to, even if only to hear the angelic voice of a choirgirl!"