Our American Journey

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About Our American Journey

Product Description Chanticleer, the Grammy award-winning male vocal ensemble, celebrates its 25th anniversary with "Our American Journey": the first in a four-CD contract with Teldec and the 25th recording in the group's history. Exclusive Teldec artists since 1994, the 120-voice male chorus demonstrates its command of four centuries of American choral repertoire with classics of the Latin American baroque era, the unique sounds of Colonial American hymnody, shape-note hymns and spirituals, and American popular song. Amazon.com This is Chanticleer's 25th recording and also marks its 25th anniversary season. The title refers to the group's wide-ranging repertoire; this disc includes Mexican baroque, traditional American songs in various styles and music commissioned by Chanticleer itself. A program that tries to please everybody is bound to disappoint somebody; however, no one could be disappointed by the singing. The sound of these 12 unaccompanied male voices has an unearthly, celestial beauty and purity; their blend is perfect. Though the singers rarely use vibrato, their intonation is impeccable both together and in solos. Their expressive range and stylistic versatility are incredible: they can project tenderness, pleading, and bitter protest and are equally at home in plainchant, Latin hymns, blues, spirituals, shouts and crooning. Among the highlights are the three opening hymns, settings of two poems of Torquato Tasso by William Hawley, commissioned by Chanticleer, which combine 16th- and 20th-century styles, and the two final folksongs, the last with a stride-style piano accompaniment, making a rousing, exuberant ending. The booklet, in three languages, is well laid-out and informative. --Edith Eisler