Sacred Choral Works: Songs of Praise (The Sacred Choral Music of Dave Brubeck)

Label: Dorian Records
Year: 2010
Released on LP: No
Released on CD: Yes

Tracks

1.Canticles: Ave Maria (Annunciation)
2. Canticles: Concordi Laetita (Nativity)
3. Canticles: Salve Mater (Crucifixion)
4. Ev'ry Christmas I Hear Bells
5. Sleep, Holy Infant, Sleep
6. Why We Sing At Christmas
7. Precious Gift His Wondrous Birth
8. The Commandments
9. Psalm 23
10. Credo
11. Benediction

Notes

Performers:

The Pacific Mozart Ensemble featuring Quartet San Francisco
Lynne Morrow & Richard Grant, conductors

Guest Performers:

Jeremy Cohen, violin
Alisa Rose, violin
Keith Lawrence, viola
Michelle Djokic, cello
Kymry Esainko, piano

Composers:

Dave Brubeck

Reviews

The Buffalo News, Mary Kunz Goldman, February 7, 2010

The Catholic Church should rejoice that it got Dave Brubeck. His feelings are deep and real. These pieces vary wildly. "Sleep, Holy Infant, Sleep" is lovely, an excerpt from Brubeck's Christmas cantata "La Fiesta de la Posada," and I could see it catching on as a Christmas classic. "Why We Sing at Christmas" is actively annoying. Between these extremes are all kinds of things to chew on. "Commandments" mixes humor with piety. I do not know if Brubeck intended it this way, but I have to laugh when it goes in a scolding rhythm: "Thou shalt not ..." "Thou shalt not ..." "Thou shalt not ..." Sometimes it seems that way! Then it goes in shrill treble: "TELL THE ISRAELITES THIS!"

The "Credo" is a complicated case. Brubeck was one of three contemporary composers invited to complete this section from Mozart's unfinished "Great" C Minor Mass. At first assigned "Crucifixus" and "Resurrexit," Brubeck wound up writing an entire Credo. It is fun tracing where he was inspired by chant, where by Mozart, and where from his own disparate musical roots. A simple and lovely Benediction brings the disc to a reverent close. Praise to the Pacific Mozart Ensemble, an a cappella group, for bringing this music off with such bright, workmanlike spirit.


All About Jazz - copyright

Dave Brubeck, one of the most well-known jazz pianists of all time, has for some time explored new avenues in composition and performance--including his many choral compositions.

This album features the first recording of Brubeck's Sacred Choral music (less “Sleep Holy Infant, Sleep") premiered by the Grammy-nominated Pacific Mozart Ensemble in concert. The album -- released January 26, 2010 -- also features another Grammy-nominated ensemble, Quartet San Francisco.

Songs of Praise consists entirely of sacred music and opens with Brubeck's three-part Canticles. This work features the English texts prepared by Iola Brubeck and a smaller instrumental ensemble arrangement done by Pacific Mozart Ensemble's music director Lynne Morrow and performed by Quartet San Francisco. Following the Canticles are four holiday works that can be enjoyed year-round.

Also performed are the debut recordings of Brubeck's Commandments, inspired by his time spent serving in the US Army during World War II, which he writes about in the included liner notes. The album continues with Brubeck's setting of Psalm 23, followed by a Credo written for Pacific Mozart Ensemble's 25th anniversary concert. Concluding the album is a prayerful Benediction also written for the ensemble.

Recorded at the highly regarded Skywalker Sound studios, Songs of Praise features extensive liner notes--by Lynne Morrow, Richard Grant (ensemble founder and additional conductor), Michael S. Sherman, o.p. Professor of Theology, and Dave Brubeck himself. It is sure to enlighten, uplift, and entertain classical and jazz fans alike.