Search - Richard Woodward, James Turle, William Crotch :: The Psalms of David - Choir of King's College, Cambridge - Sir David Willcocks, Sir Philip Ledger

A voice teacher and early music fan

George Peabody | Planet Earth | 08/08/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"THE PSALMS OF DAVID: ONE, TWO AND THREE ARE ALL INCLUDED ON THESE CD'S; SO WHY SPEND YOUR MONEY IN-DI-VID-U-AL-LY????

The book of Psalms is a collection of 150 Hebrew religious poems which were sung to music in the worship of the temple of Jerusalem. The Psalms of these discs give some idea of the emotional range of these poets, for they voice joy and sorrow, thanksgiving and despair, penitence and faith, hope and love.



The structure of the psalms has influenced the manner of singing them. Broadly speaking, psalms have been sung to three types of music: (1) plainsong, (2) hymn tunes and (3) Anglican chant. These records illustrate the third method.



Since there are many collections of chants, there are differing conventions, some of which are: two sides of the choir (Descani and Cantoris) sing alternate verse or half-verses, or men alternate with boys. In some choral establishments the singing is always supported by the organ; in others some psalms are sung unaccompanied. Many of these possibilities of expressive contrast are illustrated on these discs.



Of course, we have here many varied King's College Choirs from the year 1968 - 1972 (Willcocks-director) and 1974 (Ledger). As per usual there is very little difference in sound between them. We still are graced with the clear crystalline sound of the boy sopranos, the velvet-toned male altos, the tuneful tenors and the resonant basses. The overall result is a choir with excellent balance, great emotional investment, clear diction and that 'special' unnamed something that this choir possesses. This is a truly inspiring musical treat that can be enjoyed by all choral music lovers, but especially meaningful to the believer."

Book of Psalms in Harmony(To be Continued)-By Choir Of Kings

Mark Greenidge | Britton's Hill, Barbados | 11/15/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Hey, This CD is awesome,a very great selection from the Book of Psalms.

Along with some of my favorites-Psalm 24, Psalm 114,Psalm 134.

Also very good arrangements and beautiful sung by one of the world's best-Choir of Kings College Cambridge in excellent sound quality from Capitol/EMI.

This CD of Psalms is very good for relaxiing the soul.

But Hey ,this Choir is awesome great to listen to."

Thank you, Myles Coverdale....

Diakonos | New Jersey | 11/16/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I make no pretense of being a music critic, but I must say that this collection of the psalms sung in the Anglican tradition is wonderfully uplifting. Myles Coverdale's beautiful translation of the psalter is used as, I believe, it is used in the Anglican Book of Worship. I don't think that anyone who reveres good, classical ecclesiastic music will be disappointed in this collection. Well, somebody will be, but...whatever..."