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)

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.

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

'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!

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