Our Heart's Joy: A Chanticleer Christmas
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
The all-male, all-professional, full-time choir Chanticleer has developed a phenomenal following during the past couple of decades, and this Christmas disc contains some of the group's best-loved repertoire. Topping the list is Chanticleer's most-requested concert piece, Franz Biebl's intensely moving "Ave Maria," followed by Joseph Jenning's uninhibited, spirited "Medley of Christmas Spirituals." Along the way, we hear a wide variety of sacred works, from the 15th century ("There Is No Rose") to the 20th (Benjamin Britten's "A Hymn to the Virgin"). Due to its exclusive use of male voices--even sopranos--Chanticleer projects a unique sound that usually blends beautifully. Occasionally, however, due to the nature of the piece or arrangement, the balance overemphasizes the highest voices and the blend suffers. But overall, the singing is outstanding, the arrangements are tasteful, and the repertoire is unassailable. --David Vernier
Our Heart's Joy: A Chanticleer Christmas, Music, Chanticleer, Jean Mouton, Andrea Gabrieli, Michael Praetorius, Francisco Guerrero, Spanish Anonymous, Anonymous, Franz Biebl, Christmas Traditional, Benjamin Britten, Spiritual Traditional, Franz Xaver Gruber, Mark Daniel, Neal Rogers, Foster Sommerlad, Matthew Thompson, Kenneth Fitch, Karl Schmidt, Peter Maund, Chad Runyon, Tim Gibler, Kevin Baum, Steven Rickards, Mark Keller, Frank Albinder, Joseph Jennings, Choral, Choral Music, Christmas / Chanukkah, Christmas Music, Classical, Hymn, Miscellaneous, Miscellaneous Music, Part Song/Glee/Music for Unaccompanied Voices, Renaissance Motet, Sacred Choral Music, Vocal, Xmas Classical Vocal Collections
Average customer rating:
- Sublime Singing
- One of the most soothing compilations of music I own
- My Utmost Favorite Christmas Album
- Superb Chanticleer Performance
- Two great tracks - everything good
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Our Heart's Joy: A Chanticleer Christmas
Spiritual Traditional , Franz Xaver Gruber , Mark Daniel , Neal Rogers , Foster Sommerlad , Matthew Thompson , Kenneth Fitch , Karl Schmidt , Peter Maund , Chad Runyon , Tim Gibler , Kevin Baum , Steven Rickards , Mark Keller , Frank Albinder , and Joseph Jennings
Manufacturer: Chanticleer Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
 All Works by Britten
| Britten, Sir Benjamin
| ( B )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
All Works by Gabrieli
| Gabrieli, Andrea
| ( G )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
All Works by Michael Praetorius
| Praetorius, Michael
| ( P )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General Modern
| Modern, 20th, & 21st Century
| Historical Periods
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General
| Sacred & Religious
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General
| Opera & Vocal
| Styles
| Music
Hymns
| Vocal Non-Opera
| Opera & Vocal
| Styles
| Music
Motets
| Vocal Non-Opera
| Opera & Vocal
| Styles
| Music
Noels
| Vocal Non-Opera
| Opera & Vocal
| Styles
| Music
Oratorios
| Vocal Non-Opera
| Opera & Vocal
| Styles
| Music
Partsongs
| Vocal Non-Opera
| Opera & Vocal
| Styles
| Music
General
| Songs & Lieder
| Vocal Non-Opera
| Opera & Vocal
| Styles
| Music
Holiday Music
| Compilations
| Miscellaneous
| Styles
| Music
General Christmas
| Holiday
| Miscellaneous
| Styles
| Music
Opera & Vocal
| Holiday
| Miscellaneous
| Styles
| Music
General Christmas
| Holiday Music
| Special Features
| Music
Opera & Vocal
| Holiday Music
| Special Features
| Music
Similar Items:
- Chanticleer: Magnificat (A Capella Works by Josquin, Palestrina, Titov, Victoria, and Others)
- How Sweet the Sound: Spirituals & Traditional Gospel Music
- A Robert Shaw Christmas - Angels on High
- Sing We Christmas
- Chanticleer: A Portrait
ASIN: B000003VV3
Release Date: 1992-12-15 |
Tracks:
- Ave Maria... Virgo serena
- Quem vidistis pastores?
- In dulci jubilo
- Virgen sancta
- E la don don
- Rmu, rmu, chmu
- Ave Maria
- There is no rose
- A hymn to the Virgin
- Tomorrow shall be my dancing day
- Il est ni le divin enfant
- O come, O come, Emmanuel
- I wonder as I wander
- Medley of Christmas Spirtuals
- Silent Night
Amazon.com
The all-male, all-professional, full-time choir Chanticleer has developed a phenomenal following during the past couple of decades, and this Christmas disc contains some of the group's best-loved repertoire. Topping the list is Chanticleer's most-requested concert piece, Franz Biebl's intensely moving "Ave Maria," followed by Joseph Jenning's uninhibited, spirited "Medley of Christmas Spirituals." Along the way, we hear a wide variety of sacred works, from the 15th century ("There Is No Rose") to the 20th (Benjamin Britten's "A Hymn to the Virgin"). Due to its exclusive use of male voices--even sopranos--Chanticleer projects a unique sound that usually blends beautifully. Occasionally, however, due to the nature of the piece or arrangement, the balance overemphasizes the highest voices and the blend suffers. But overall, the singing is outstanding, the arrangements are tasteful, and the repertoire is unassailable. --David Vernier
Customer Reviews:
Sublime Singing.......2001-06-05
The all male, A Capella choir Chanticleer includes songs of many styles on this recording, but one in particular has always shined the brightest for me. The "Ave Maria," written by Biebel, includes introductory passages of traditional Gregorian chant, which lead into lush choral passages of neo-classical style, richly colored by impressionism. The sound is sonorous, fluid, and radiant, and communicates a deep sense of spiritual fulfilment. The "Ave Maria" text has been set numerous times in history, but this rendition seems best to capture the delicate longing and pleading for intercession between humans and the Virgin Mary. It is a quiet comment on the human condition, as we turn to the heavens to find order both in our lives, and in the world around us. If there is a heaven, it must sound like this.
One of the most soothing compilations of music I own.......2000-12-09
I first owned a tape of this in 1993, and went out of my way to purchase the CD last summer. I never get tired of this CD. Of course, there is nothing more healing than the Biebl Ave Maria, which grows more and more beautiful everytime I listen to it. Chanticleer introduced this beautiful piece to me, I've had the good fortune of having it sung at my wedding, and being able to sing it last year in the Cathedrals, Abbeys and Basilicas of France! The rest of the CD is just as superb, and yes, those really are men singing those most amazing Soprano sections in Go Tell It On the Mountain. Other favorites are the Mouton that opens the CD, There Is No Rose, and O Come Emmanuel. A wonderful addition to anyone's Christmas CD collection, and one that you can play year round!
My Utmost Favorite Christmas Album.......2000-12-02
Our Heart's Desire, masterfully and lovingly sung by the great all-male group, Chanticleer, is the one Christmas album I wouldn't want to be without. The content, covering a broad range of styles spanning several centuries, includes some music to make almost anyone happier at Christmas. The blend is superb, the arrangements are innovative but true to the music, the intonation is nearly perfect, and Chanticleer sings as though the music means something to them. An hour spent listening to this album will unwind you from the crinkiest pre-Christmas blues and tensions. Don't be without it!
Superb Chanticleer Performance.......2000-11-14
Chanticleer is a highly successful all-male choral group, and this is one of their best albums. The Biebl Ave Maria is one of the single most moving tracks of any classical CD and the Basque/ Spanish carol combination is also very exciting, especially with the added percussion. This CD even gave me a couple of new favorite carols - "Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day" and "Il est Né Le Divin Enfant." I have yet to hear any of the songs mentioned find competition from other recordings.
There is one thing about this album that makes it harder to enjoy than some more recent Chanticleer CDs. This album appears on the Chanticleer Records label, with which Chanticleer recorded until later joining Teldec. I've found that the levels on my Chanticleer Records albums are lower than the Teldec ones and as a result I have to turn the volume up much higher to get the full effect. This is still a five star album, but I think that with Chanticleer's move to Teldec, the production quality has definitely improved.
This album has such beauty that it goes beyond the Christmas season. I enjoy it all year round for its emotion and beautiful vocal sound. Make sure that you have this, as well as Chanticleer's "Sing We Christmas," for the holiday season.
Two great tracks - everything good.......2000-05-13
Biebl's Ave Maria is a gem of 20th century church music. Chanticleer does a superb job of this piece which is most powerful as a male only choir piece.
The medley of spirituals is another gem - the director has teased out of the Chanticleer singers the same spontaneity and musicianship that one hears in the Belleville A Capella choir - absolutely stunning interplay between soloist and choir.
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