 |
|
|
| The Graduate Choir, NZ :: My Spirit Sang All Day |
Information
Reviews
Track Listing & Previews
-- Purchase Now --
Back to CDs
Information
|
|
This, the first CD that the choir has made, is the product of a long-held wish (and demand from the public!) to compile a selection of pieces that represents the typical repertoire for which this choir is known and acclaimed. It appears after four years of operation and just before the choir undertakes its first major tour - to the UK.
The CD takes its title from the British art song "My Spirit Sang All Day" by Gerald Finzi; coined as something of a "signature tune", this piece suits the exuberance and freshness of the sound of the choir and echoes in its text the absolute joy and impact of choral singing that is immediately apparent to the hearts and minds of the choir's audience.
The programme is deliberately varied, ranging from sacred music of the 19th and 20th centuries through to art songs, folk-songs, spirituals and jazz; the choir sings in no fewer than six languages, there is a mixture of unaccompanied and accompanied music, and NZ composers are represented - in short, there is something here to speak to everyone!
The warmth and breadth of the sound of The Graduate Choir, NZ under the direction of Terence Maskell has been captured superbly in two different recording locations by producer Wayne Laird of Atoll CD, NZ, and the stunning design work of the CD inserts and covers is by Nigel Smith and Adrian Neal of Transformer Ltd.
For a long time now, the public has been requesting a CD from this choir; here it is with the generous assistance of the Papatoetoe West-Mangere East Education Trust.
We are certain that you will not be disappointed!
Atoll Records 2005 #acd105
|
Reviews
|
"Terence Maskell’s warm-toned choir lopes along with easy spontaneity across an eclectic range of classic, middlebrow, folk, soul and jazz. The tenor section’s unforced top Gs and A flats in “Sally Gardens” and its supple fluency in Mendelssohn’s Abendlied would be the envy of nearly all Kiwi choirs. Spacious chording in Bruckner’s “Locus iste” and rich blend in the eight-part Pearsall “Lay a Garland” shows vigilant technical control for the intricate classics. They bounce into Finzi’s “My spirit sang all day” with winning gusto."
Click for article in original context
Ian Dando, The Listener, Vol 203 No 3447, June 2006
"For Kiwi choral, try The Graduate Choir's "My Spirit Sang All Day" (Atoll 105) and be rewarded with inspired Debussy and inspirational Bruckner, not to mention rousing gospel."
Click for article in original context
William Dart, NZ Herald, 13 December 2005
"The four-year-old ensemble has melded itself into a collection of voices that demands attention both for the high standard of musicality and the repertoire: an intelligent and thoughtfully selected anthology of music ranging from contemporary New Zealand work to Bruckner and Samoan songs. It's all huge fun as the choir gives all in the pursuit of excellence. On the basis of this first recording, it achieves its goal."
Click for full article
Christopher Moore, The Press, 16 November 2005
"The choir's first album takes its title from Finzi's "My Spirit Sang All Day" and I certainly could have listened happily for much longer than the 52 minutes of this CD. The Graduates have always amazed with the diversity of their music, and the delicate sighs of Debussy's "Dieu! Quil la fait bon regarder" are worlds away from the infectious jollity of two Samoan folk songs arranged by Christopher Marshall. Conductor Terence Maskell is a magician. He knows how to focus his singers on a single line, catching just the right light, shade and nuance."
Click for article in original context
William Dart, NZ Herald, 7 September 2005
More reviews of The Graduate Choir
Track Listing & Previews
Terence Maskell, Conductor with Claire Caldwell, piano
|
Click to play or
download mp3 preview:
|
1. My spirit sang all day Finzi
2. Shenandoah Erb
3. Afton water Rutter
4. Down by the sally gardens Rutter
5. Dieu! Qu'il la fait bon regarder! Debussy
6. Lay a garland de Pearsall
7. Zigeunerlied 5 Brahms
8. Zigeunerlied 6 Brahms
9. Abendlied Mendelssohn
10. Locus iste Bruckner
11. Ye choirs of new Jerusalem Stanford
12. He is risen Madden
13. Ave verum corpus Dienes
14. City called heaven Poelinitz
15. Ain'-a that good news! Dawson
16. I can't give you anything but love McHugh/Fields
17. Sau la'u teine Samoa Marshall
18. Pusi nofo Marshall
19. Now is the hour Maskell
Producer: Wayne Laird
© 2005
|
Listen
Listen
Listen
Listen
Listen
Listen
Listen
Listen
Listen
Listen
Listen
Listen
Listen
Listen
Listen
Listen
Listen
Listen
Listen
|
|
|
Information
Reviews
Track Listing & Previews
-- Purchase Now --
Back to CDs
|
top
|
| |
|
|