Fresh and Exciting Choral Music
5
By RoGoComposer
Robert Paterson has a unique voice in choral music. His pieces are full of playfulness and innovation. And even amidst sadness, he infuses a sense of fun. I thoroughly enjoyed this album, and I look forward to listening again! Gorgeous!
LOVE This Album!
5
By One Musician in NYC
This is a fantastic album!!! The music is gorgeous from beginning to end. His music is so distinctive, interesting and creative, yet so enjoyable. My favorite tracks are Do not stand at my grave and weep, Snow Day, and Infinite Oceans, but they are all awesome. Paterson is my favorite choral composer and his music should be sung by every choir in the world. I would give it 10 stars if I could...
Gorgeous album!!
5
By FoodBrah
Beautiful choral work! Robert Paterson is an important new voice in classical music. A must listen.
great fidelity
5
By ChamberMusicNY
Terrific music recorded beautifully. I haven't used headphones for years but took them out for this. Great work everyone involved.
My Favorite Choral Album of All Time
5
By MusicEddy
I have been following Robert Paterson's career for quite some time. I have many of his albums, and have very much enjoyed all of them, including this one. I am originally from Guatemala, so English is not my first language, but I really enjoy listening to choral music set in other languages, including English. I find Paterson's choral writing generally very beautiful and peaceful, and in fact, his music has permeated my dreams. This would make sense, in fact, since two of the works on the album, A Dream Within A Dream (with text by Edgar Allan Poe) and Life is But a Dream (a fun, playful piece based on Row, Row, Row Your Boat, but set in mixed languages) are based on dreams and dreaming. I honestly enjoyed the entire album, so I don't really have a favorite work, but it's the kind of album I enjoy listening to over and over again.
Besides the music itself, the album is beautifully presented in an X-shaped package that subtly reminds me of a cross, which makes perfect sense, since this is an album by Musica Sacra, one of New York's (and North America's) greatest choirs. I also like the cover, especially the levitating tree, which seems almost Biblical or Medieval. The combination of the ocean, the sunset and the tree, with it's roots and branches reaching toward the sky, is both ancient and timeless all at the same time.
Regarding the sound of the album, this is by far the best-sounding choral album I have ever heard. The sound of the choir, directed by Kent Tritle, is gorgeous from beginning to end. The sound is rich, lush and full.
If you are tired of composers like Eric Whitacre, whose added note style of writing has worn thin as of late, I strongly recommend Paterson's works, which are much more colorful and diverse. All in all, I highly recommend this album. After hearing this collection of works, I think that Paterson is one of America’s greatest choral composers.
Gorgeous!!!
5
By Zach Redler
Brilliant choral writing!
Fantastic Album of Choral Music
5
By Robert Paterson Composer
I love this album. When most people think of choral music, they imagine a badly engineered album, poor quality sound, and frankly boring pieces often sung in a community choir. This album is the exact opposite of that. All of the works are contemporary, but easily accessible, and beautiful recorded on top of that. I can’t imagine anyone not loving this album. The emotional content ranges for serious to light-hearted, and is mostly secular, with one sacred track, Lux Aeterna. Honestly, I can’t stop listening to this album, it’s that beautiful. Highly recommended.
