February 6, 2019

  • Varied Choral Program from Vermillion

     

    I Carry Your Heart
    University of South Dakota Chamber Singers/David Holdhusen
    Navona Records 6203
    Total Time:  73:00
    Recording:   ****/****
    Performance: ****/****

    David Holdhusen returns with his Chamber choir from the University of South Dakota in this new release.  An earlier release (Let Me Fly), introduced listeners to a great program of American choral works blended with folk songs and spirituals.   The present release was recorded in March programs from the last three years.  Here the ensemble explores more global music, sacred music, and modern works for chorus.

    The album opens with “Tshotsholoza”, a Rhodesian miner’s song, which is the first of the global pieces.  A Brazilian folksong (“Muie Rendera”), a Swedish dancing song arranged by Hugo Alfven (“Och Jungfrum Hon Gar I Ringen”), and an Indian raga (“Dwijavanthi”) are interspersed here.  There are several sacred settings as well which include a psalm sung in Hebrew (“Dirshu Adonai”) an Afrikaaner setting of the Lord’s Prayer by Zander Fick and one by Alexander Gretchaninoff from the Russian Orthodox tradition.  Several African spirituals also add some excitement along the way (“Sit Down Servant”, Ain’t That-a Rockin’”, “Keep Your Lamps”).  Throughout the choir must work in often close harmonies whether they are moving with exciting syncopated rhythms or in ethereal blends of sound.  The result is impressive.

    Composer-in-residence Jonny Priano has three works on this new release (“Lullaby”, “Sicut Cervus”-based on a Psalm text, and “Remember”).  There is also new music by Connor Koppin whose stunning work is also the title of the album, Nick Myers (“Jenny”), and the concluding moving work by Frank Ticheli, “There Will Be Rest”

    All of this helps show off the choir’s ability to tackle a variety of repertoire across different cultures to show off their musical diversity.  The album is a great opportunity to hear the way Holdhusen maintains a consistently strong group even though the personnel changes from year to year.  It is another testament to the surviving Midwest Choral tradition.  The hall there in Vermillion helps add to the warm sound of the ensemble that is captured rather gorgeously.  Easily recommended for anyone who enjoys great choral music.