Albany Records: Choral Music of Ned Rorem

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Warmly melodic choral works by America's premier vocal composer.

CONCORA - Connecticut Choral Artists, was founded in 1974 by Richard M. Coffey. CONCORA'S mission is to "perpetuate and perform with excellence choral music of the highest quality for the broadest possible audience." Since its founding, the all-professional chorus has built an extraordinary reputation for artistic excellence throughout New England. Mr. Coffey writes: "The challenge in preparing a recording of choral works of Ned Rorem is not in the selection of what to include but in the perverse necessity of selecting what to omit. For over a year I pored over Rorem scores, both published and unpublished, corresponded with the composer who had a few modestly proffered suggestions, and sat at the piano for many a happy hour playing and singing a treasury of anthems, canticles, motets, choral hymns, and choral songs. For every work presented here there is another, equally beautiful, awaiting its turn before the microphone. Ned Rorem's love for words is manifest well beyond his popular diaries and prose. He selects great texts and then wraps them in fine melodies, tunes which ennoble and illuminate. After only a few listenings to Love Divine or Come, Pure Hearts one may be tempted (don't resist) to whistle and hum them quite spontaneously. This disc is presented as a tribute to Ned Rorem on the occasion of his 75th birthday (October 23, 1998). The music in this collection is an eclectic grouping of works dating from 1955 through 1988 including pieces for a cappella choir, as well as others accompanied by Organ or piano, with texts (both prose and poetry) from religious, scriptural, and secular sources."

Ned Rorem, composer
Seven Motets for the Church Year
CONCORA, Richard Coffey, conductor, Larry Allen, Organ, David Westfall, Carol Allen, piano, Stacey Grimaldi, soprano

Ned Rorem, composer
Phos Hilaron
CONCORA, Richard Coffey, conductor, Larry Allen, Organ, David Westfall, Carol Allen, piano

Ned Rorem, composer
Canticle of the Lamb
CONCORA, Richard Coffey, conductor, Larry Allen, Organ, David Westfall, Carol Allen, piano

Ned Rorem, composer
Little Lamb, Who Made Thee?
CONCORA, Richard Coffey, conductor, Larry Allen, Organ, David Westfall, Carol Allen, piano

Ned Rorem, composer
Come, Pure Hearts, in Sweetest Measure
CONCORA, Richard Coffey, conductor, Larry Allen, Organ, David Westfall, Carol Allen, piano

Ned Rorem, composer
Mercy and Truth are Met
CONCORA, Richard Coffey, conductor, Larry Allen, Organ, David Westfall, Carol Allen, piano

Ned Rorem, composer
Here (from Love Alone)
CONCORA, Richard Coffey, conductor, Larry Allen, Organ, David Westfall, Carol Allen, piano

Ned Rorem, composer
Three Prayers from Little Prayers
CONCORA, Richard Coffey, conductor, Larry Allen, Organ, David Westfall, Carol Allen, piano

Ned Rorem, composer
What is Pink?
CONCORA, Richard Coffey, conductor, Larry Allen, Organ, David Westfall, Carol Allen, piano

Ned Rorem, composer
All Glorious God
CONCORA, Richard Coffey, conductor, Larry Allen, Organ, David Westfall, Carol Allen, piano

Ned Rorem, composer
Breathe on Me, Breath of God
CONCORA, Richard Coffey, conductor, Larry Allen, Organ, David Westfall, Carol Allen, piano

Ned Rorem, composer
Lead, Kindly Light
CONCORA, Richard Coffey, conductor, Larry Allen, Organ, David Westfall, Carol Allen, piano

Ned Rorem, composer
Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
CONCORA, Richard Coffey, conductor, Larry Allen, Organ, David Westfall, Carol Allen, piano

Ned Rorem, composer
Sing, My Soul, His Wondrous Love
CONCORA, Richard Coffey, conductor, Larry Allen, Organ, David Westfall, Carol Allen, piano

Ned Rorem, composer
Surge, Illuminare
CONCORA, Richard Coffey, conductor, Larry Allen, Organ, David Westfall, Carol Allen, piano

Review:

"This is the kind of music that makes you want to head for your nearest choir and join so you can begin singing it immediately. Melodies always engage, harmonies are plush yet crystal-clear, and the expressive heartbeat never falters. About two-thirds of the works are sacred. The rest are either overtly secular like the six What is Pink? songs, or are nestled somewhere in the nexus between religion and warm, fuzzy spirituality. All of them come straight from the heart of an expansive musical spirit that knows and loves the voice. You'll enjoy the singing along with the music, for the choir is both technically secure and nicely in sync with Rorem's muse....In short, a lovely program." (American Record Guide)

Warmly melodic choral works by America's premier vocal composer.

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