Michael J Lewis Welsh Choir of Southern California A Multiethnic Choir - Hearts Afire Calonnau Ar Dan (15 tracks) +Album Reviews +Used CD available for Swap

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Michael J. Lewis, Welsh Choir of Southern California (A Multi-ethnic Choir)
Hearts Afire * Calonnau Ar Dan
Genre: Classical

Track Listings (15) - Disc #1
1. Cenarth
2. Llanfair/Mawlgan
3. Iesu Annwyl (Kate)
4. Y Gelynnen (The Holly)
5. Rhamant Dau (An Affair for Two)
6. Gorwelion (Horizons)
7. Clychau Aberdyfi (Bells of Aberdyfi)
8. Susannah
9. March of the Men of Harlech
10. Nantyrarian
11. Blaenwern/Rachie
12. True Love
13. Heaven is My Home
14. Aberystwyth
15. Hen Wlad/America

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CD Details

All Artists: Michael J. Lewis, Welsh Choir of Southern California (A Multi-ethnic Choir)
Title: Hearts Afire * Calonnau Ar Dan
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 1
Original Release Date: 8/18/2001
Release Date: 8/18/2001
Genre: Classical
Styles: Opera & Classical Vocal, Sacred & Religious
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 646507950921

Synopsis

Album Description

Hearts Afire * Calonnau Ar Dan is the dramatic debut CD from the Welsh Choir of Southern California (a multi-ethnic choir.) Under the artistic leadership of its Emmy Award-wiining director, Michael J. Lewis, the choir brings to life both the traditional music of Wales, as well as contemporary pieces written by leading Welsh poets. The CD features a number of talented young artists from Wales, including sopranos Catherine Ayers, Fflur Wynn, Rhian Mair Lewis, Jill Padfield, Rhiannon Pugh and baritone Aled Edwards. The orchestrations include brass, strings and harp, and are supported by the Great Organs of the First Congregational Church, Los Angeles, one of the largest church pipe organs in the world. The organ is also featured in a solo performed by the talented Los Angeles-based organist, Kemp L. Smeal.

CD Reviews

Exquisite!

10/10/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Buy it NOW and listen to it often! There's a lot to love about this CD, and the first track (Cenarth) sets the tone and standard for this highly enjoyable and moving collection of music. If you like Enya, you'll LOVE track #5 (Rhamant Dau). Reminiscent of Enya's haunting, ethereal tone, but richer in arrangement, depth and content, this is a standout track in a lovely collection of mainly choral works. Fflur Wyn is a real find, and here's hoping she has plans for a solo CD! Track #11 (Blaenwern/Rachie) shows off the warmth, fullness and resonance of the choir's full sound, while Track #3 (Iesu Annwyl) charms with the addition of an angelic children's chorus, beautiful harp and guitar work and a sweet soprano descant. Track #13 (Heaven is My Home) is another standout track-Cathryn Ayers' solo soprano voice is simply enchanting. Track #4 (Y Gelynnen [The Holly]) is a fun, upbeat folksong just right for Christmas fare. The final track (#15-Hen Wlad fy Nhadau/America) brings adult and children's voices together with a grand instrumental arrangement and gives the intended chills up the spine and teary eyes with its impassioned delivery. The CD also includes two instrumentals, one of which (Clychau Aberdyfi, Track #7) is one of the most delicate, endearing harp solos I've ever heard. All in all, this is a lovely CD, with nary a hiccup to be found (I wasn't fond of the soprano featured on Aberystwyth [Track #14], and the baritone so beautifully featured in Rhamant Dau seemed somewhat affected in his English pronunciation on track #12 [True Love]-a lovely, lyrical song). Small "nit picks" in a highly professional debut recording from this wonderful choir, to be sure! This outranks and outclasses many "professional" choirs' recordings I've heard over the years, and I highly recommend this to anyone who loves beautiful voices (both solo and choral). Don't let the fact that most of it is in Welsh deter you. Translations are included, and, frankly, the beauty of the music transcends all words (although Eluned Phillips' lyrics ARE simply breathtaking in their simplicity and heart-felt [yet never sappy] sentiments). Let's hope that there will be future recordings from this terrific group with their inspired composer/conductor, Michael J. Lewis."

Thoroughly enjoyable

sheilauk | London,UK | 09/22/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I thoroughly enjoy this CD. I can sing along with the English verses and hum along to the Welsh verses . I would recommend this to anyone who likes to listen to choir music.The arrangements of the music are well balanced. "Susannah" is my favourite and shows off the choir's full talent."

Ethereal Experience!

sheilauk | 10/02/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'd heard that the Welsh culture focuses on music ..and particularly harmonic voices... yet I had no idea of just how incredible this music could be, how alive yet soothing; inspirational yet practical ..and how listening to this CD affected my entire mood for the rest of the day. "Heaven is My Home" and "True Love" are still resounding within me."