Search - Odi Et Amo :: Odi Et Amo

Is this really a Boychoir?

RP Maher | Dallas, TX United States | 03/23/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Odi et Amo" roughly translated from the Latin means "I Hate and I Love". The casual observer would find that odd, until they listen to the CD of the same name! Remarkable as this sounds, upon first listen, it is easy to embrace the notion that one might "hate" and "love" this CD at the same time. In my AudioMobile, the sounds came crashing out of my speakers like something from hell - and then, upon listening a little longer, and more often (probably 25 times by now!) I discovered something - those boys in Latvia sure know how to put on a show! So, what's all the hub-bub about! Well, let's get to it:



Odi et Amo

Fiat lux

Eden

Quare fremuerunt gentes

O Beata trinitas

Rorando Coeli

Ad Dianam

Ave, color vini clari

Qui creavit coelum

Pange lingua

Chorus novae Ierusalem

Ave Maris Stella

Libera me



As Boy Choirs go, Riga Dom provides the usual fair. They have an impressive list of recordings and should be proud of their heritage. In a number of their CD's, such as "Riga Vainags" and "Sing ye Purely Nightingales", they epitomize the Treble sound. Some of their soloists are arguably the finest ever recorded - and stand on their own right. However, that's not "Odi et Amo"! No, this CD is a fusion of contemporary Hard Rock with, oh, I don't know - Choir! The title track starts out normal enough, and then you get into "Fiat lux" and all bets are off! Some men are softly bringing in the lyrics, and then, from left field some where, BAM! This lead guitar starts and the sound is explosive and unbelievable. In many respects, what they are doing is reaching out to a different crowd. At the Latvian Embassy web site, I read: "Odi et Amo (I Hate and I Love ) is a unique piece of music featuring the Riga Dome Boys choir singing in a way they have never sung before.. It is a medieval/new age rock opera composed by Ugis Praulins, directed by Martins Klisans and sung in Latin. The lyrics are drawn from classic poems and themes from the Bible, and inspired by the themes of writer Umberto Eco. Most surprisingly, it rocks. If you've always wondered what a boys choir would sound like singing a rap song in Latin, be sure to listen to the 4th song, `Quare Fremuerunt Gentes'. Some have compared Odi et Amo to the work of Enigma and other New Age music. Praulins weaves sacred and traditional motifs into a mystical tapestry of sound that is constantly driven forward by an unrelenting rock beat. At times the boys sound like angels. When they rap they are rascally little devils. The total effect is breathtaking."



Turning now to the third track, "Eden", we are given pause from the lyrical and listen to a marvelous instrumental that sooths the pallet on the way to the above mentioned fourth track, "Quare tremuerunt gentes" which, as mentioned, is more in tune with today's "rap" music then our traditionally thought of Boychoir fair! The beat is probably not to everyone's liking, but i have to wonder: Is it possible we can reach a whole new audience with this type of "choir" music? My son happened to be in my car, and for grins, I played this track and he said, "so, who's that?" When I responded that it was a Boychoir, he refused to believe it! That's the type of reaction I think that most 16 year olds might have upon listening to this CD, or parts of it anyway.



The CD has no tracks that I can't go on about for hours. However there are two other tracks that require attention. "Pange linqua" is just fantastic! There is this "whisper" throughout, there is a string of higs and lows, and what sounds like a "banshee" scream in such perfect sound, well, to hear it, with the harmonies and highs in this song reminds me of some of the best "sound mix" I've heard. The repeated "Pan-qe - lin-qua" first by the men then the boys is spellbinding. You leave the recording with this floating around in your mind for hours. You make every attempt at replicating it, and people naturally stare! I appreciate any song that lingers. And, one final "whisper"... The last track "Libera me" is also worth pointing out. I've heard various renditions of this from many choirs, most notably Libera themselves. I truly think that this is the best recording / version I've ever heard. There are not a lot of lyrics, however, the vocals work their magic all on their own. In time, I hope that the sound of the organ leaves my head, because it is causing me distress in that it seems to over power any thought unrelated that I'm having! I would love to see the actual organ, yet I don't know where it is! This CD was recorded at Abbey Road Records, and the last I knew, they didn't have a legitimate full sized Cathedral Organ in there!



NB: After reading my writing, I guess I need to add one more track to the list of "best" - "O Beata trinitas". What a remarkable recording! There is an older gentleman who sounds rather Italian that "words" some of the lyrics as opposed to singing them. His flight of fancy here is distinct and allows the singing to come through loud and clear when it does. I am - in my own way - hoping that when / if I ever get the choir going, that I'll be able to add this "voice" to certain songs.



NB2: Ok, ok! I'm allowed to add more aren't I? So, I'm out driving to Forth Worth, listening to Odi et amo, of course, and I'm reminded of "Rorando Coeli". This song is so cool! The highlight, in my opinion, is when the trebles get the notes way, way up there! So sweet! I listened to this song the first time I had the CD, and hit "repeat" at least seven times!. What a wild and thrilling ride!"