Gloriae Dei Cantores offers a joyful Christmas gift! Paraclete Press is pleased to present the choir's new recording of Christmas music that everyone will love. Be Merry! Captures that wonder of Christmas - its joys, mysteries and sheer delight! Listeners can sing along as the choir shares new arrangements of familiar and beloved Christmas carols like "What Child is This?" and "Deck the Hall' with contributions from Gabriel V Brass and Extol Handbell Choir. The beautiful and festive 24-page booklet enhances each carol, providing a meaningful gift ensemble
| 1 |
What Cheer? |
Seagull Seven |
3:46 |
| 2 |
Adam Lay Ybounden |
Boris Ord |
1:11 |
| 3 |
Noël Nouvelet |
arr. John Rutter |
2:49 |
| 4 |
Down in Yon Forest |
arr. John Rutter |
4:15 |
| 5 |
Today the Virgin  |
John Tavener |
2:41 |
| 6 |
Gaudete |
arr. Richard Lakey |
3:01 |
| 7 |
Go, Tell It on the Mountain |
arr. Cynthia Dobrinski |
3:17 |
| 8 |
Patapan |
Reginald Jacques |
1:07 |
| 9 |
All this Time |
William Walton |
1:51 |
| 10 |
Immortal Babe, Who in Thine Own Way |
David Campbell |
2:11 |
| 11 |
Shepherd's Pipe Carol |
arr. John Rutter |
3:01 |
| 12 |
In a Humble Cattle Shed |
Theodora Hall, arr. Seagull Seven |
4:24 |
| 13 |
God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen |
arr. Valerie W. Stephenson |
3:18 |
| 14 |
What Child Is This? |
arr. Seagull Seven |
4:51 |
| 15 |
A Boy was Born |
Benjamin Britten |
2:26 |
| 16 |
My Dancing Day |
Gerald Near |
1:41 |
| 17 |
Joys Seven |
arr. Stephen Cleobury |
3:18 |
| 18 |
Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow |
arr. Cynthia Dobrinski |
3:22 |
| 19 |
Go, Tell It on the Mountain |
arr. John Rutter |
3:28 |
| 20 |
The Snow Lay on the Ground |
arr. Beth P. McCoy |
3:13 |
| 21 |
Ah, Bleak and Chill the Wintry Wind |
from The Alfred Burt Carols |
1:54 |
| 22 |
We'll Dress the House |
from The Alfred Burt Carols |
1:37 |
| 23 |
Caroling, Caroling |
from The Alfred Burt Carols |
1:14 |
| 24 |
Deck the Hall |
arr. Seagull Seven |
3:41 |
| Total Time: |
67:51 |
|
| What a refreshing musical gift this is! Those familiar with Gloriae Dei Cantores singers know what a sterling ensemble they are; they deliver all the goods here. The colorful program is a mix of familiar and new settings of Advent and Christmas texts. Of particular interest are the creations of Seagull Seven. His "What Cheer?" begins with a rhythmic speech that gives way to alluring harmonies that ultimately morph into a joyous hilarity expressed in over 35 languages! Seagull Seven's jazzy arrangement of "Deck the Hall" really rocks! In these and all else the singers exude joy and cheer through artful, infectious performances that are immaculate and engaging. The rich warmth of tone is balanced by vibrancy and energy. The Extol Handbell choir is featured in three sparkling arrangements, demonstrating laudable skill in precise, balanced, sensitive performances. The program booklet presents brief musical background and texts in a creative, colorful, seasonal format. This is musical merriment that will bring great cheer at Christmastime - or any time! |
| The American Organist |
| October 2009 |
Be Merry! is a generous (over an hour!) release that covers 24 classical pieces with old-fashioned professionalism and contemporary flair. I have a strong personal preference for a capella stylings, and Be Merry! easily satisfies that need with many cuts of cleanly-delivered, sophisticated, unadorned choral presentations. Lovely! From time to time, the Gloriae Dei Cantores takes brief breaks to let the outstanding Extol Handbell Choir do its thing. (Go Tell it on the Mountain, God Rest ye Merry, Gentlemen, Rise up Shepherd, and Follow); the mix nicely enhances the overall ambiance.
The liner note are themselves a holiday celebration. The pamphlet is remarkably long and detailed, yet colorful and fully accessible. Each track has its own page delivering the relevant lyrics and "back story," all provided with eye-popping graphics, photos, and swirls.
The album immediately grabs teh listener's attention with an unorthodox opening. What Cheer? begins with urgent whisperings ("Merry!", "Merry!"), and the rhythmic, a cappella vocalists gradually build into a cascading, multi-lingual "What Cheer!" Very nicely done! The second track is an impressive (albeit brief) rendition of Adam Lay Ybounden, a favorite of mine that appears only infrequently. From there, the offering smartly, spritely moves through a marvelous array of holiday selections, including an unusual - and fascinating - arrangement (by "Seagull Seven") of What Child is This?, a mysterious take that is somewhat dark and discordant.
Of all of the Gloriae Dei Artes Foundation releases before me in 2008, I suppose Be Merry! is the best, although the choice is a bit like picking out the best-loved child. Each one is legitimately wonderful. The organization stands for top-quality musical performances, and that commitment is well-evidenced in all of its releases. Be Merry! would be a superb addition to any classical music lover's seasonal collection. Enjoy, and BE MERRY! |
| Christmasreviews.com |
| Carol Swanson |
