Into The Light: Christmas Music for Low Voices / Cantus
Signum Classics

Into The Light: Christmas Music for Low Voices / Cantus

$19.99

Details

Composer
Traditional, Traditional, Traditional, B. E. Boykin, Jerry Brandy, Cheryl Camm, Chris Foss, Franz Gr
Artist
Cantus
Format
CD
Label
Signum Classics
Released
Sep 23, 2022
Catalog #
SIGCD723
UPC
635212072325

About

After two successful albums on Signum Records, the American vocal ensemble Cantus present their first Christmas album, Into The Light.

The “engaging” (New Yorker) low-voice ensemble Cantus is widely known for its trademark warmth and blend, innovative programming and riveting performances of music ranging from the Renaissance to the 21st century.

REVIEWS:

“Into the Light” reaches into pockets of brightness and the anticipation of a happier New Year as the sun anxiously arcs back to longer days.

Cantus, an a cappella ensemble featuring the deeply rich resonances of eight distinguished male voices, ushers in the holidays most unconventionally. Though several favorites are represented, the status quo is turned upside down. A heavy investment of arrangements and adaptations surfaces and in the most extraordinary way. Rhythmic textures also cut across a wide range of grains, providing an irresistible élan. Note cutoffs, dynamics and tempos are immaculate while chording is uniquely contemporary and full of positivism…this is what adds such special luminescence.

As an example, Cantus captures the pulsating essences of Aguinaldo Carols with its jazzy verve. Christmas is nuanced inside Joni Mitchell’s 1971 bittersweet River which leans to the heavier gravity of the album, including the nostalgic We Toast the Days, penned by Minnesotan Linda Kachelmeier. A special treat is Chris Foss’ World Premiere take of Clement Clarke Moore’s epic poem that sparkles with quixotic notes and unusual vocal dynamics...this piece holds the listener in deep fascination, and it renders big smiles and a chuckle or two! On another dimension Reginald Bowens tips his hat to I Saw Three Ships, giving the traditional English melody a sassy Manhattan Transfer‑like lilt that lifts the piece onto the page of modernity. Traditional music from around the world is also respectfully represented. Occasionally Cantus utilizes an instrumental accompaniment, such as the guitar (and energized Children Go!) or the percussive woodblock (a spirited Mensaje de Paz) that adds to the album’s variety.

Cantus brings thoughtful reminder of hope and happiness as we glance inside the portal of the future. Though a minuscule light beams at this time of year, the apex will broaden as we ring in 2023.

Cantus is a shining, pulsating octet…perfect in precision, innate in integration.

-- ConcertoNet

Tracklist 17 tracks

  1. 1 Angels We Have Heard on High (arr. Saunder Choi for male choir) 07:01
    Track
    1
    Title
    Angels We Have Heard on High (arr. Saunder Choi for male choir)
    Duration
    07:01
    Composer
    Traditional
    Ensemble
    Cantus Vocal Ensemble
  2. 2 O Little Town of Bethlehem (version for male choir) 03:30
    Track
    2
    Title
    O Little Town of Bethlehem (version for male choir)
    Duration
    03:30
    Composer
    Kenneth Jennings
    Ensemble
    Cantus Vocal Ensemble
  3. 3 I Wonder As I Wander (arr. P.J. Rudoi for male choir) 03:13
    Track
    3
    Title
    I Wonder As I Wander (arr. P.J. Rudoi for male choir)
    Duration
    03:13
    Composer
    John Jacob Niles
    Ensemble
    Cantus Vocal Ensemble
  4. 4 River (arr. Cantus Vocal Ensemble for male choir) 04:21
    Track
    4
    Title
    River (arr. Cantus Vocal Ensemble for male choir)
    Duration
    04:21
    Composer
    Joni Mitchell
    Ensemble
    Cantus Vocal Ensemble
  5. 5 Alleluia! Into the Light (a miner's carol) (version for male choir) 03:37
    Track
    5
    Title
    Alleluia! Into the Light (a miner's carol) (version for male choir)
    Duration
    03:37
    Composer
    Cheryl Camm
    Ensemble
    Cantus Vocal Ensemble
  6. 6 Love, the God Eternal 04:33
    Track
    6
    Title
    Love, the God Eternal
    Duration
    04:33
    Composer
    Chris Foss
    Ensemble
    Cantus Vocal Ensemble
  7. 7 O Magnum Mysterium (version for male choir) 03:13
    Track
    7
    Title
    O Magnum Mysterium (version for male choir)
    Duration
    03:13
    Composer
    Brittney Elizabeth Boykin
    Ensemble
    Cantus Vocal Ensemble
  8. 8 Glory Hallelujah to Duh Newbo'n King (arr. R. and W.C. Powell for male choir) 02:11
    Track
    8
    Title
    Glory Hallelujah to Duh Newbo'n King (arr. R. and W.C. Powell for male choir)
    Duration
    02:11
    Composer
    Traditional
    Ensemble
    Cantus Vocal Ensemble
  9. 9 Mensaje de paz 03:40
    Track
    9
    Title
    Mensaje de paz
    Duration
    03:40
    Composer
    Francisco Grau Vegara
    Ensemble
    Cantus Vocal Ensemble
  10. 10 Children, Go Where I Send Thee (arr. Cantus Vocal Ensemble for male choir as Children, Go!) 03:55
    Track
    10
    Title
    Children, Go Where I Send Thee (arr. Cantus Vocal Ensemble for male choir as Children, Go!)
    Duration
    03:55
    Composer
    Traditional
    Ensemble
    Cantus Vocal Ensemble
  11. 11 I Saw Three Ships (arr. R. Bowens for male choir) 02:53
    Track
    11
    Title
    I Saw Three Ships (arr. R. Bowens for male choir)
    Duration
    02:53
    Composer
    Traditional
    Ensemble
    Cantus Vocal Ensemble
  12. 12 Sa May Bahay - Mano po, Ninong (arr. Saunder Choi for male choir as Aguinaldo Carols) 04:15
    Track
    12
    Title
    Sa May Bahay - Mano po, Ninong (arr. Saunder Choi for male choir as Aguinaldo Carols)
    Duration
    04:15
    Composer
    Traditional, Jerry Brandy
    Ensemble
    Cantus Vocal Ensemble
  13. 13 Still, Still, Still (arr. A. Humble for male choir) 02:36
    Track
    13
    Title
    Still, Still, Still (arr. A. Humble for male choir)
    Duration
    02:36
    Composer
    Traditional
    Ensemble
    Cantus Vocal Ensemble
  14. 14 Nöel Nouvelet (arr. S. Söderberg for male choir) 02:53
    Track
    14
    Title
    Nöel Nouvelet (arr. S. Söderberg for male choir)
    Duration
    02:53
    Composer
    Traditional
    Ensemble
    Cantus Vocal Ensemble
  15. 15 Stille Nacht (Silent Night) (arr. C. Harris for male choir) 05:12
    Track
    15
    Title
    Stille Nacht (Silent Night) (arr. C. Harris for male choir)
    Duration
    05:12
    Composer
    Franz Xaver Gruber
    Ensemble
    Cantus Vocal Ensemble
  16. 16 'Twas the Night Before Christmas 10:48
    Track
    16
    Title
    'Twas the Night Before Christmas
    Duration
    10:48
    Composer
    Chris Foss
    Ensemble
    Cantus Vocal Ensemble
  17. 17 We Toast the Days (version for male choir) 03:11
    Track
    17
    Title
    We Toast the Days (version for male choir)
    Duration
    03:11
    Composer
    Linda Kachelmeier
    Ensemble
    Cantus Vocal Ensemble