SOME BEAUTIFUL SELECTIONS AND SOME DISAPOINTMENT
Pococat | Baltimore. MD USA | 10/07/2004
(3 out of 5 stars)
"The simple renditions of such hymns as "Great is Thy Faithfulness" and "What a Friend" are by far the most satisfying of the selections of `Great Hymns of Faith' on this recording. The renditions of hymns arranged by John Ferguson and Robert Schultz are also quite appealing. Where this album falls short is in Anton Armstrong's leadership of the three classic hymn arrangements by F. Melius Christiansen, the founder and original director of the St. Olaf Choir. "Praise to the Lord" is particularily disappointing. It is mannered in the extreme and totaly misses the spirit of this great choral standard. To hear this selection sung as it was supposed to be, one must listen to the choir under the direction of its previous conductor Kenneth Jennings (refer to the CD "Reflections of Norway," the Saint Olaf Choir, Dr. Kenneth Jennings, conductor).
The same could be said about the most famous of all the arrangements on this recording, Christiansen's "Beautiful Savior." The soloist has obviously been instructed to strip all color and vibrato from her voice, thus causing her to sound tenative and amaturish. I know (from personal experience) that some of these directors of accapella choirs go for a very `straight' and colorless sound. This is obviously the tone quality for which Mr. Armstrong is striving.
To summarize, when this great choir is allowed to just sing out it sounds fabulous, and is very musically fulfilling. When not...well, you be the judge..."
Music review
Kristin Jarvis | Rochester NY | 10/25/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is the second CD by the St. Olaf Choir I have purchased, and I was not disappointed. I do think that some of the hymn arrangements were a bit much, but I am Lutheran after all. Still, the choir is unbeatable in diction, you can understand every word, which is really important. Over all, a good addition to the collection."
Wonderful choir; Too much arrangements
SolusChristus | Grand Rapids, MI | 07/20/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"St Olaf is by far the choir I like the most.
However, the arrangements of some pieces are "too much" for my taste. I would prefer arrangements that show the beauty of simple chorales - what Lutherans are good at. (Other listeners may have a different preference.)"