From a stunning single line of chant to the explosive polyphony of William Byrd and J.S. Bach, each of the works on this recording is in some way related to light’s presence in our life journey: from birth to death, through love, disappointment, forgiveness, and transcendence. The presented repertoire spans the mystical 12th-century chant of Hildegard von Bingen through the Renaissance and Baroque eras, plus two special 19th century works by composers who were deeply inspired by the ideas and musical styles of these earlier time periods. Westminster Kantorei has been honored as a national finalist for The American Prize, whose judges praised the ensemble’s “finely-measured and delicate balance of voices, and a mastery of stylistic performance practice.” It has performed at the Boston Early Music Festival, the American Handel Festival and the Reformation 500 Anniversary Concert as well as in England and France, where it performed at the Festival Musique en L’ile in Paris. The ensemble has also collaborated with the Westminster Choir to perform Bach’s St. Matthew Passion with the New York Philharmonic, conducted by Kurt Masur.

Even if you’re a choral music fan you may not be familiar with composer Daniel Elder. But you definitely should be. On evidence of this first-rate recording, featuring expert performances by the Westminster Choir, Elder has a command of the choral idiom that defies simple categorization: he can go mano a mano with the best of the post-millennial nouveau-gardists, but he’s also not afraid to devote his considerable talent to creating the kind of immediately ingratiating melody-centered, harmony-gilded works that no choir director or singer—or listener—can resist.

The former type includes the opening O Magnum Mysterium, a remarkably affecting swirling, splashing of choral colors, assertive melodic turns, and dramatic expressive utterances not usually associated with this revered and oft-set text; the latter variety is distinguished by the heart-and soul-gripping Ballade to the Moon, Star Sonnet, and Lullaby, with texts by the composer: “On moonlit night I wander free, my mind to roam on thoughts of thee. With midnight darkness beckoning my heart toward mystic fantasy: Come, dream in me!”; or, “In stillness high above the slumbering shore/where wistful waves of foam caress the sand; A silent watchman o’er the darkened land/adrift celestial seas of twilight soars.”; or this, “Lullaby, sing lullaby, the day is far behind you. The moon sits high atop the sky, now let sweet slumber find you. Away.” A touch of Rutter here, of Lauridsen there, but mostly just Elder and his sure sense of choral sound and the way of singers.

Then there are pieces that lie somewhere outside either of these borders. Elegy—”Day is done, gone the sun…”—is a sort of cross between Arvo Pärt and Eric Whitacre, but infused with Elder’s particular explicative technique, ultimately focusing our attention on some charming little upswinging, delightfully captivating phrase endings. In spite of any cursory comparisons with other composers’ styles, Elder proves both a resourceful student and a canny inventor. My only reservation concerns his decision to use some rather heavy percussion in the set titled Three Themes of Life and Love (to texts by 13th-century Persian poet Rumi). Perhaps this works better in concert, but on this recording the drums (and occasional cymbals) mostly seem a gratuitous intrusion in these otherwise perfectly conceived and constructed works. I say “mostly” because in the set’s third number, Drumsound Rises, the percussion effectively enhances the rhythmic character of the piece.

The disc’s title work, The Heart’s Reflection, is a beautiful piece full of rich textures and full-bodied, vibrant harmonies, and, yes, even a couple of Whitacre-esque licks. The text is a paraphrase by the composer of Proverbs 27:19: “See the waterfront shine forth resplendent; So the heart of humanity to all the earth reflects.” In the several works with piano, Elder proves he also is an expert at creating accompaniments that are both necessary and supportive of the choral parts—not as easy to do as some composers seem to believe. He’s even adept at turning a nursery-tune like “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” into a delightful, encore-worthy gem.

Of course, Elder is fortunate here to have such a fine advocate as the Westminster Choir; the singing is everything a choral composer could hope for, including that often elusive component: it’s obviously well rehearsed. In addition, it’s informed with a feel for the important textural clarity that this music requires, benefiting not a little from the splendidly matched and carefully balanced voices and sections. The recording also benefits from having been made at two of the premiere concert/recording venues in the northeast U.S.: Mechanics Hall in Worcester, Mass. (Seven Last Words from the Cross) and Troy Savings Bank Music Hall in Troy, New York (the rest of the program). Highly recommended.

-- David Vernier, ClassicsToday.com

Praised by American Record Guide as the “gold standard for American academic choirs,” the Westminster Choir has performed and recorded with virtually every major orchestra and conductor of the past 80 years. The New York Times has applauded its “full-bodied, incisive singing.” Composed of students at Westminster Choir College, the ensemble is also the chorus-in-residence at the Spoleto Festival USA.

Some of America's favorite patriotic songs have been gathered together on this disc, including "I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy," "God Bless America," and "This Land Is Your Land." Performing on the worlds largest handbell range, The Westminster Concert Bell Choir brings a complex and rich sound to this recording that cannot be matched by other handbell choirs. (Sony)

Classical Music

Praised by American Record Guide as the ‘gold standard for American academic choirs,’ the Westminster Choir has performed and recorded with virtually every major orchestra and conductor of the past 80 years. The New York Times has applauded its ‘full-bodied, incisive singing.’ Musical America’s 2004 Conductor of the Year, Joseph Flummerfelt and his musical artistry have been acclaimed in the world’s finest concert halls for many years. He was hailed by Leonard Bernstein as ‘the world’s greatest choral conductor.’ This Westminster Choir College reissue of Heaven to Earth features Westminster’s adaptation of Barber’s choral setting of his Adagio for Strings, foregoing the a cappella version for one accompanied by a small string ensemble. ‘Beautifully assembled collection’ - Fanfare Magazine ‘World class’ - Classics Today

'Ring in the Holidays' with the joyous sounds of Christmas performed on the world's largest range of handbells. The Westminster Concert Handbell Choir is one if America's leading handbell ensemble and has appeared on the Today Show, Mister Rogers' Neighborhood and the broadcast of the Christmas Tree Lighting at Rockefeller Center. Merry Christmas to All!

Classical Music

In his Mass for Double Choir, Frank Martin’s use of a motet in the style of J.S. Bach juxtaposed with his sonic and exotic harmonic palette of the early 20th century is a formula for exciting music. In addition to this choral masterwork, this collection brings together meditative and sacred music from diverse traditions. This release also features three world premiere recordings: This first recording of Anders Ohrwall’s arrangement of the beloved Swedish folk tune Fabodpsalm fran Dalarna is distinguished by performances by David Kim, concertmaster for The Philadelphia Orchestra, and soprano Sherezade Panthaki, an acknowledged star in the early music field. The much-anticipated release of Lux Surgit Aurea, which was composed by Bernat Vivancos for the Westminster Choir to perform at the 2017 World Symposium on Choral Music in Barcelona is also included here, as well as the first SATB recording of Joel Philips’ Little Lamb, a setting of the poem by William Blake.

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Review excerpt of a May Westminster Choir concert performance of the Mass:

Frank Martin’s “Mass for Double Choir” is such a monumental and strenuous piece that few choirs can successfully perform it. True to form the choir made the work their own. The dynamic contrast went from hushed whispers to bellows that were never strident or ear-piercing. Striking dissonances dissolved into settled harmonies; running passages were as clear as a coloratura soprano; basses droned beneath Medieval-like melodies that contrasted with the Schoenberg-like chords that sometimes peppered the piece.

– David Friddle, Post & Courier (Charleston, SC)

This live recording was performed at Princeton University in celebration of the 100th birthday of scholar, philanthropist and human rights advocate William H. Scheide. The subject of PBS's television special Ode to Joy will air nationally on local PBjS stations. Recognized as one of the world's leading choral ensembles, the WEstminster Symphonic Choir has recorded and performed with major orchestras under virtually every internationally acclaimed conductor of our era. Prepared for this performance by Joe Miller, director of the choral activities at Westminster Choir College, the ensemble is composed of students at Westminster Choir College of Rider University. Mark Laycock made his conducting debut at age 21 with the Philadelphia Orchestra. Since then he has conducted more than 2,000 works with a wide array of orchestras and opera companies in Europe, Asia, Israel and North America. He has appeared on numerous occasions with the Philadelphia Orchestra, Montreal Symphony Orchestra and the English Chamber Orchestra, among others.

The reissue of a 1990 recording, Favorite Hymns & Anthems features some of Christianity's most-loved traditional hymns and anthems performed by the Westminster Choir, which has been setting the standard for choral excellence in America since 1920. Repertoire includes works composed or arranged by Ralph Vaughan Williams, Randall Thompson, Felix Mendelssohn, Herbert Howells and Virgil Thomson.

This CD was previously available as Gothic 47931.

Previously released as Gothic 49047.

An English Christmas from Westminster Choir College Recordings, is the perfect way to “ring in the holidays” with the joyous sounds of Christmas, the album’s arrangements of holiday favorites being performed on the world’s largest range of handbells. The Westminster Concert Bell Choir is considered to be America’s leading handbell ensemble. Hailed for its virtuosity, the Westminster Concert Bell Choir performs on the largest range of handbells in the world. The choir has appeared on Public Television’s Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood and several holiday broadcasts of NBC’s Today show. Recent performances include joining Josh Groban to perform The Bells of New York for the national broadcast of the Christmas tree lighting at Rockefeller Center, as well as having performed at Carnegie Hall twice during the Christmas season. Kathleen Ebling Shaw is in demand as a conductor and handbell clinician worldwide. She has conducted ensembles and led symposia throughout the US, Japan, England, Korea and Australia. - Naxos