Gloriæ Dei Cantores marks the centenary of American composer Alan Hovhaness with this collection of sacred choral works. With selections spanning Hovhaness’ rich musical career, this SACD invites the listener to explore the broad-ranging cultures and styles from East and West that the composer loved and sought to portray in his music. The critically-acclaimed Gloriæ Dei Cantores lend their hearts and voices to Hovhaness’ “noble desire for the regeneration of mankind,” and invite a new generation of listeners to experience his work.
“In the superb hands and voices of Gloriæ Dei Cantores, Hovhaness clearly aligns himself with a higher authority.”
Gramophone
CRITICAL ACCLAIM
Really, this is music of unexpected range and quality, not at all what one might expect from the composer of that lid and roof-lifting spectacular, the Mount St Helens Symphony. In short, From the Ends of the Earth is one of the finest choral recordings I’ve heard since the Tyberg Masses, made with the South Dakota Chorale (Pentatone). That album, also available from NativeDSD, was one of my top picks for 2016, which tells you something about the musical and technical prowess on show here ... Be sore amazed; I certainly was ... This is singing and playing from the heart, and Steve Colby’s expansive, naturally balanced recording captures it all to perfection. This album gets off to a splendid start, with the incisive, spirit-lifting Cantate Domino. The organ accompaniment is warm, weighty and, in keeping with the up-tempo nature of the piece, surprisingly nimble ... As for Unto Thee, O God, the second of the Four Motets, it’s distilled delight. What a lovely, rich tone this choir has, the Ave Maria haloed by another Schuman solo, plus harp, oboes and French horns ... I daresay the grateful acoustic of the Church of the Transfiguration in Orleans, Massachusetts – the choir’s home turf – has a significant part to play in the success of this album; it’s not a cavernous space with a muddying echo, so detail and nuance are never lost. More important, there’s an intimacy here that’s entirely right for music that speaks from soul to soul. As for the well-rounded organ – the Stygian pedals thrilling in the title piece, From the Ends of the Earth – it’s a perfectly scaled presence throughout. And I can’t fault the conductor, who shows impeccable judgment and unfailing musicality from start to finish.
Dan Morgan, Music Web International
... an excellent introduction to the sacred music of this fascinating and deeply spiritual composer.
The Diapason
Listen to music samples
1. Cantate Domino, Psalm 98, Op. 385 | 2. Immortality, Op. 134 | 3. Unto Thee, O God, Op. 87, No. 2 |
| 4. Triptych. Ave Maria, Op. 100, No. 1a | 5. Simple Mass, Op. 282: Prelude | 6. Simple Mass, Op. 282: Lord, Have Mercy |
| 7. Simple Mass, Op. 282: Glory to God | 8. Simple Mass, Op. 282: We Believe in One God | 9. Simple Mass, Op. 282: Holy |
| 10. Simple Mass, Op 282: Lamb of God | 11. From the End of the Earth, Op. 187 | 12. Three Motets, Op. 259: Peace Be Multiplied |
| 13. Three Motets, Op. 259: God Be Merciful Unto Us | 14. Three Motets, Op. 259: Wisdom | 15. Psalm 143, Hear My Prayer, O Lord, Op. 149 |
| 16. I Will Rejoice in the Lord, Op. 42 | 17. Why Hast Thou Cast Us Off, Op. 87, No. 1 | 18. The God of Glory Thundereth, Op. 140 |
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7 Reviews Hide Reviews Show Reviews
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Very good!
This welcome SA-CD was recorded by Gloriæ Dei Cantores, on their own label ... and offers almost 76 minutes of short choral works, nine in their first recordings and a further two previously recorded for privately-issued LPs that only die-hard Hovhanophiles are likely to have sought out. In total we have here 14 works spread over 19 tracks, of which 11 are commercially available for the first time ... It is hard to imagine a more committed group for Hovhaness than Gloriæ Dei Cantores ('Singers to the Glory of God')...the quality of the singing is extremely high. Also high is the quality of the 32-page booklet. Lavishly illustrated with attractive background imagery, it contains an overview of Hovhaness’s life and musical creed, brief discussion of the works performed, and usefully reproduces all sung texts ... Hats off to Gloriæ Dei Cantores and their musical director Elizabeth C. Patterson. This much-needed disc helps reduce a gaping hole in the Hovhaness discography, and should go some way to introduce these very accessible works to choirs and music lovers alike.
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Try it
Most of this music will be new to listeners, and we are fortunate to have these dedicated performances beautifully recorded.
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A very well done disc
... a significant and comprehensive recital that crosses over the composer’s unique sound and varied styles ... A very well done disc, superbly sung ... a pretty special release. The singing shows Gloriæ Dei Cantores at their bright, enthusiastic best. The super audio format is worthy of its name, and we’re supplied with the most handsome booklet I've seen in quite some time.
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Great
This album, recorded in great surround sound, brings to light nine previously unrecorded works ...
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The disc is a worthy contribution to the Hovhaness discography
The performances are carefully shaped, with much attention to intonation, balance and nuances of phrasing. The disc is a worthy contribution to the Hovhaness discography ...
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Fascinating
... an excellent introduction to the sacred music of this fascinating and deeply spiritual composer.
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This is music of unexpected range and quality
Really, this is music of unexpected range and quality, not at all what one might expect from the composer of that lid and roof-lifting spectacular, the Mount St Helens Symphony. In short, From the Ends of the Earth is one of the finest choral recordings I’ve heard since the Tyberg Masses, made with the South Dakota Chorale (Pentatone). That album, also available from NativeDSD, was one of my top picks for 2016, which tells you something about the musical and technical prowess on show here ... Be sore amazed; I certainly was ... This is singing and playing from the heart, and Steve Colby’s expansive, naturally balanced recording captures it all to perfection. This album gets off to a splendid start, with the incisive, spirit-lifting Cantate Domino. The organ accompaniment is warm, weighty and, in keeping with the up-tempo nature of the piece, surprisingly nimble ... As for Unto Thee, O God, the second of the Four Motets, it’s distilled delight. What a lovely, rich tone this choir has, the Ave Maria haloed by another Schuman solo, plus harp, oboes and French horns ... I daresay the grateful acoustic of the Church of the Transfiguration in Orleans, Massachusetts – the choir’s home turf – has a significant part to play in the success of this album; it’s not a cavernous space with a muddying echo, so detail and nuance are never lost. More important, there’s an intimacy here that’s entirely right for music that speaks from soul to soul. As for the well-rounded organ – the Stygian pedals thrilling in the title piece, From the Ends of the Earth – it’s a perfectly scaled presence throughout. And I can’t fault the conductor, who shows impeccable judgment and unfailing musicality from start to finish.
