A must-have for choral-aficionados everywhere that sees perhaps the world’s finest a cappella ensemble The King’s Singers join forces with The Concordia Choir – one of the USA’s best collegiate groups – to perform works by world-class choral composers Eric Whitacre, Bob Chilcott and Morten Lauridsen.
One of the world’s most celebrated ensembles, The King’s Singers have a packed schedule of concerts, recordings, media and education work that spans the globe. Championing the work of young and established composers, they remain consummate entertainers; a class-act with a delightfully British wit. From Gesualdo and György Ligeti to Michael Bublé, The King’s Singers are instantly recognisable for their spot-on intonation, their impeccable vocal blend, the flawless articulation of the text and incisive timing.
The Concordia Choir of Moorhead, Minnesota is one of America’s finest a cappella choirs. Since 1920, the 72-voice choir has performed in nearly every major hall including Carnegie Hall and Kennedy Center and has taken numerous international tours. The Choir is broadcast throughout the United States on public radio stations and on television via its Emmy-award winning Concordia Christmas Concert.
“it's an intriguing pleasure to hear this anthology of modern works by talented modern choral composers...the standout is The Concordia Choir's rendition of Whitacre's "Cloudburst".” The Independent, 4th November 2011 ****
“[Chilcott highlights] the King's Singers' consummate skill as close-harmony singers, in particular their ability to terrace the dynamics as one section of the group slips into accompanying mode, while another takes the melodic limelight. The excellent Concordia Choir...[display] a warm tonal blend and supple phrasing alike. An interesting, well-planned collection, well worth investigating.” BBC Music Magazine, January 2012 ****
“Those used to hearing Whitacre and Lauridsen delivered by chamber choirs will doubtless take time to adjust to the more focused, closely recorded sound of the six-strong King's Singers. The group's ideally blended sound and ensemble precision, however, magnify the inner harmonic beauty and hypnotic tread of pieces such as Lauridsen's O Nata Lux and Whitacre's Lux Aurumque.” Classic FM Magazine ****
“Each song is a little gem, deceptively simply, perfectly poised and bespoke for the King's Singers' unique blend...The juxtaposition of the King's Singers' closely placed authoritative tone and the larger group's more distant soothing breadth works wondrously well. All of the music of this disc is beguilingly beautiful and worthy of widespread enjoyment. Do try it.” Gramophone Magazine, February 2012
“one's attention is engaged by the sheer beauty of the chording [in Lux Aurumque], allowing the complexity of the harmonic thinking to shine and, apparently paradoxically, the pacing of the performance...When both groups sing together the results are spectacular...An interestingly varied collection, then, outstandingly sung and recorded.” International Record Review, February 2012
