Vienna Choir Boys: Amazing Grace

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
With Amazing Grace, the Vienna Choir Boys have released an interesting collection tending down a path different from that of their usual repertoire. The legendary institution--with members regularly chosen by some of the greatest conductors for boy-choir parts in music by Mozart, Bach, and Mahler, as well as Bernstein--was founded half a millennium ago, and a number of famous musicians have been alumni of this almost peerless ensemble through the centuries.

Here, they sing a marketable soup of international songs and traditional folk melodies from around the world. Typical of the songs on this disc is the Japanese tune "Sakura," which blends a popular oriental melody with Western harmony and culturally idiomatic-sounding instruments. Another particularly gripping work is an arrangement of the liturgical Hebrew folk song "Hevenu Shalom Aleichem." Traditionally, this piece is sung on the Sabbath, but the energetic version here is more suited to a grand festival (one can easily imagine the accelerando dance refrain repeating to a frenzy during a bar mitzvah or a Jewish wedding celebration). The varied program demonstrates the VCB's relatively recent expansion into world music--not to mention a broader audience (they have also recorded soundtracks for such films as Primal Fear)--which might raise red flags for the purist. But with the VCB--under financial pressure (like so many other nonprofit concert ensembles today) and seeking a more popular audience by expanding their repertoire--there is nothing to forgive. This beautiful, shameless, sometimes fun, even on occasion thought-provoking collection benefits from the ensemble's impeccable standards. --W.T. Arnold

Tracks:

Amazing Grace
Edelweiss Aus 'The Sound Of Music'
Das Wandern Ist Des Mullers Lust
Sakura
Sur Le Pont D'Avignon
Tiritomba
Auld Lang Syne
Wien, Wien Nur Du Allein
Santa Lucia (Barcarole Aus Neapel)
Kalinka
Greensleeves (Elisabethanische Ballade)
Im Prater Bluh'n Wieder Die Baume
Hevenu Shalom Aleichem
Muss I Denn Zum Stadtele Hinaus

Amazon.com

With Amazing Grace, the Vienna Choir Boys have released an interesting collection tending down a path different from that of their usual repertoire. The legendary institution--with members regularly chosen by some of the greatest conductors for boy-choir parts in music by Mozart, Bach, and Mahler, as well as Bernstein--was founded half a millennium ago, and a number of famous musicians have been alumni of this almost peerless ensemble through the centuries.

Here, they sing a marketable soup of international songs and traditional folk melodies from around the world. Typical of the songs on this disc is the Japanese tune "Sakura," which blends a popular oriental melody with Western harmony and culturally idiomatic-sounding instruments. Another particularly gripping work is an arrangement of the liturgical Hebrew folk song "Hevenu Shalom Aleichem." Traditionally, this piece is sung on the Sabbath, but the energetic version here is more suited to a grand festival (one can easily imagine the accelerando dance refrain repeating to a frenzy during a bar mitzvah or a Jewish wedding celebration). The varied program demonstrates the VCB's relatively recent expansion into world music--not to mention a broader audience (they have also recorded soundtracks for such films as Primal Fear)--which might raise red flags for the purist. But with the VCB--under financial pressure (like so many other nonprofit concert ensembles today) and seeking a more popular audience by expanding their repertoire--there is nothing to forgive. This beautiful, shameless, sometimes fun, even on occasion thought-provoking collection benefits from the ensemble's impeccable standards. --W.T. Arnold

Customer Reviews:

waste of beautiful voices.......2005-12-12

The arrangements for the songs are terrible, sounds like pre-programmed songs from keyboard and actually you can barely hear the boys singing. it would be a waste of money to buy this CD when the Vienna Boys have others much better. Watch out: a terrible choice for a gift.

a brave failure.......2002-01-01

The concept of this CD seems to aim for a broader audience than the classical listeners used to the VBC performing Strauss, Mozart etc. This attempt at an easy listening collection of folk and folk-like songs seems swamped by the "backing tracks". There is little room for subtlety, rubato or, indeed, artistry in this recording. The end result seems to be mechanical music making performed by those more accustomed to a different idiom.

Excellent.......2001-04-23

This CD of Vienna Choir Boys is excellent. In this unusual repertory, these boys are perfect. I think, this CD ought to be discovered by all lovers of choir boy's music.

fabulous.......2001-02-25

I have 53 recordings of The Vienna Choir Boys and this one ranks up there as one of the best. I loved it.

And the beauty goes on and on !.......2001-02-10

Once again The "Sailor Suited Lads" from Austria have not let down the millions of fans that attend there concerts world wide.They,with this CD,demonstrate what it takes to withstand the test-of-time.All of the songs are sung to the perfection one now expects,and always receives,when listening to this choir.The title song is my personal favorite."Amazing Grace" is and always has been my favorite hymn.The choirs rendition is acompanied by a hauntingly beautiful Tin Whistle that adds that old European flavor that just puts it over the edge. To all Fans present and future this CD is one that will be a treasured addition to your music library. Enjoy