This is the gold standard for spiritual arrangements for solo voice.
926087
I ordered this to get the classic simple arrangements of spirituals for solo voice. I was not disappointed. And I was pleasantly surprised to see arrangements of spirituals I was completely unfamiliar with for a wide range of seasons and purposes. This is a foundation collection of arrangements for the library of any singer.
3864640
This set of 6 CDs takes the book of the Cosmic Jesus one step further.  The book explores the Words of Jesus in their original Aramaic.  The CD book takes those concepts and Douglas-Klotz' scholarship into the realm of the auditory.

The author/speaker carefully explains the meanings of the sayings of Jesus in their original Aramaic then teaches the listener the language forms of the various words.  He then takes it to the next step of providing chants for use in meditation.  These chants are accompanied by modern but appropriate guitar music and enable the listener/participator to enter more sensually into the original language.

This is an extremely useful set of CDs for anyone who wishes to develop their spiritual meditative life.  Interestingly I would have expected that it would be suitable only for a Christian participator.  However the understanding of the Aramaic words gives such a clear liberal theological and spiritual basis of the unity of the Creator that it is accessible to anyone of any religious or spiritual tradition.  Having used the CDs and having read the original book, I am also left wondering how "The Passion of Christ" a la Mel Gibson could use the Aramaic in order to present such a traditional conservative and violent view of the life and death of Jesus without leading the viewers into a more universal expression of compassion that is so evident in the CDs.  Fully recommended
773059
From his days with Commissioned until now Fred continues to grow in his ministry. This particular work is on the cutting egde of contemporary Christian praise & worship. His lyrics are consistent with Biblical  principles. His use of harmonies and rhythms carry the spirit away to a  place where communion and fellowship with God is as easy as closing your  eyes and lifting your hands. His musicians are highly skilled and anointed.  This is one of those works that you can listen to over, and over, and over  again, and it refreshes and challenges your spirit each and every time.
3751709
As someone studying to lead prayer service (a Sheliach Tzibbur) I had begun a journey to find my voice. I am very lucky to have ended up fining an outstanding Voice teacher as well as great Cantorial teacher. The Cantors in the city have get-to-gethers on a monthly basis (I promise I am getting to the point about this book) and recently had an eminent Canadian Tenor come speak to us. He first did a very challenging Cantorial piece and then proceeded to say: "Remember when you started and you did Italian songs and arias as part of your training? I've got news for you. This is something you should do every day for the rest of your singing career. This and proper vocal technique will allow you to sing for many years past the time when most people can no longer sing". This is the best of those books. My voice teacher always chooses this version as the best choice of Italian and the best version. The piano cd is an enormous help (unless you are such a diva that you have a live-in rehearsal pianist). Enjoy!!!
4327497
Paul Avgerinos' Phos Hilaron is stunning.  It is music that is not only heard by the ear, but by one's soul.  The entire CD is an experience of centering and calming and reassuring the listener that there is a place of great beauty and sacredness within him/herself and it is a place where one can go anytime.

  Although based on a very early Christian hymn, this music transcends those roots to speak to all people of all spiritual paths.
1238039
This recording has been around in various formats for many years: plastic, cassette, double disc set and now remastered on a single disc.  I know my opinion is shared by many and it may be that this recording was my teacher, but if one must name a single recording to consider a standard, this is about as close to definitive as one is going to get. I have twelve versions of this music and have seen it five times, once in Berlin with the BPO and still find Solti and the CSO to be the gold standard.  The soloists have not been matched (four of them have since passed away) and Solti's dynamics are timeless. (When Chorus Mysticus intones "Alles Vergangliche" to begin the last six minutes, it still sends chills up the spine as no other recording of that moment does!) The recent Tilson Thomas with the SFO is truely marvelous and I would highly recommend it to anyone who loves this music, but if you don't have the Solti, you really should have it for the timeless standard that it is. I would urge the novice to skip the Boulez and the Rattle as they're simply done better by others.  Lenny's Salzburg Festival recording from 1975 on DG is splendidly exciting (the best timpani bump before the final "Gleichnis"...ever), and Tennstedt's beautiful recording on EMI is also a must, but if there's only one to have, Solti's is "the one".
1047952
The much-heralded British sextet The King's Singers bring an interpretation of The Lord's Prayer, phrase by phrase, for comparison of composers, style, and period.  The clear voices and exceptional balance presented a capella establish the mood of this prayer and invite comparisons from both amateurs and professionals.

While this is a scholarly construct with verses presented section by section, the solemnity and devotion of the supplicant is conveyed with each selection.  The perfectly-pitched voices blend seamlessly, phrases are clearly expressed, and words are enunciated carefully so that the audience can follow if desired. On the CD, titles of the tracks are helpfully provided for the student following each track, despite a few misspellings.  With all parts sung by these men, the choir structure calling for women's voices is eliminated; the texture of the entire choral presentation is pleasingly distinctive as a result. Recorded this year at a cathedral in Nashville, these compositions can be easily imagined sung in a European cathedral with soaring reverberation.

The instructive booklet provides background by Tim Sharp of the American Choral Directors Association, and multiple language texts with English translations by David Hurley enhance the learning experience for the student and devotee. This CD will be a collector's prize for students, choir and chorus directors, and church music directors. Those who value excellence in singing, example, and standard for men's chorus will treasure it as well. The King's Singers continue their many activities in well-known venues throughout the world.  This CD will be a pleasing experience to suffice until one can find a way to hear them in person.
1993976
It's hard to believe that voices could be that pure and sweet. This music makes me feel inner peace. The perfect calmer for a hectic day. The instrumentals and accompaniment are perfectly balanced and never overpower the voices.
4046290
Beautiful, scriptural words, wonderful arrangements. This is a true classic, and a timeless cantata that is ready for a new generation of worshippers.
1483847
From the Grammy award winning 'How Great Thou Art' to the final song, the all-important 'Peace In The Valley' this new CD is 63 minutes of glorious Gospel music as only Elvis could sing.

The problem with Elvis Gospel compiles is that they always have to straddle 3 decades of music and so usually sound very uneven in both context and sound. However with a lovely balanced sound and a clever choice of tracks 'Ultimate Gospel' is close to perfect.

In the past I have often turned to the double CD 'Amazing Grace' for inspiration however 'Ultimate Gospel' has already become my firm favourite since it is a perfect hour that inspires contemplation, peace and a moving look into Elvis' soul. If you feel like a perfect slice of Elvis Gospel, do check it out you won't regret it - Elvis Gospel has never sounded as good.

The Elvis Information Network website exmaines it in detail song by song - But with the audio upgrades, this is the single Elvis Gospel CD that is really worth tracking down.
1435240
Pergolesi's original singers of his swan song `Stabat Mater' were a male alto castrato and a boy treble.
This is the fourth known recording of this delectable piece by all-male singers, starting with Jochen Kowalski and a boy treble, Rene Jacobs and Heening, and followed by Jorg Waschinski and Michael Chance. Here, two young countertenors that are both destined to head the vocal field within the next 3 to 5 years - sopranist Valer Barna-Sabadus and altist Terry Wey give here a truly moving and inspiring performance of Pergolesi's highly popular and famous piece.
Terry Wey owns a clear and boyish voice. Tonal purity added to a very sensitive musicianship, Wey is a top fit for the alto role in this piece, for he sings so purely without the slightest mannerism that the sound is simply ethereally moving. Wey owns a stunning ability to shape phrases, and is a true baroque expert in terms of style.
Valer Barna-Sabadus has an equally pure soprano voice, and it is amazing in its range and colour: finally a real soprano countertenor.  The way his treble soars reminds the listener what was in the mind of Pergolesi when he composed this piece: the voice from heaven.
The two young men work extremely well in ensemble pieces, blending well with each other in harmonics and contrasting vividly in rhythms and configurations. It sounds like two superb pieces of instrument playing counterpoints, utterly balanced and in sync. Truly jaw-dropping collaboration!
Their vibratoless singing also works marvelously with the lean orchestration under Michael Hofstetter to produce a highly reverent and spiritual effect. The Neumeyer Consort offers a terrific and balanced instrument backup to the two soloists, subdued (even hushed) where needed, and vivid if required.
Hofstetter has a very original yet valid approach to these delectable pieces. The ornamentations are novel and appropriate. They are never showy or sentimental, yet embellishes the musical line wonderfully. This is clear evidence of a high level of musicianship. Of course, his singers deliver the absolute right dosage of fiorature, never more, never less. The extended fiorature, done in the most well-controlled manner by the singers as well as the instrument ensemble, often enhances the spiritual yearnings in the pieces, and are amazingly effective. Hofstetter's paces and tempi set to the various pieces are also unique, and they contrast very vividly, giving the texts' their most effective treatments.  I'll bet that this is what Pergolesi had in mind as he wrote these pieces.
Under the baton of Hofstetter, the `Stabat Mater' is an aptly nostalgic and quasi-austerely spirit piece. The `Laudate Pueri Dominum' Psalm 112 is much more joyful and even flambouyant, and the Vocal Baroque Ensemble of Mainz sung with equal distinction as their fellow performers.  One can hear that they are a small ensemble, with just a handful of singers in each part, and all of whom sing in the most closely cohesive manner: listen to the closing section of the `Laudate Pueri', drop dead beautiful vocal ensemble work.  It would be a brilliant idea to record another contrapunctal piece with the Ensemble alone.
Indeed, in a very very crowded field of these works' recordings, this one stands to be surpassed, having surpassed virtually all previous ones.
Cannot be missed.
Poscript : Having heard the more recent 'star' set of this work by Jaroussky and Lezhneva, I report that this all-countertenor version stands heads and shoulders above that one.  Jaroussky is not better than his earlier 2006 live recording with Schiavo,and Lezhneva sounds overtly edgy in nearly ALL the pieces.
2059546
I have a sizable collection of chant CDs and this is by far the best.  Although this is a group recording you can often hear the beautiful individual voices which makes it even more appealing.  I listen to it frequently during my daily walks and it leaves me with a feeling of peace and a more acute awareness of my everyday world.
1415409
Excellent accompaniment for congregational singing.  The lower key makes it perfect for all voice levels and the traditional version is familar for all ages as well.
2249883
I play this CD more than any other of my sacred music recordings.  It is perfect during our Sunday morning preparations to attend our church.  I highly recomend it to anyone who wants to have a meaningful spiritual experience.
2639326
I am delighted to have the opportunity to tell singers about these songs.  Ms. Flanders, Ms. Bellica
and Mr. Adler have created a beautiful collection of songs that incorporate meaning, singability, and
a sense of completeness that is unusual in this realm.  I love singing these songs by myself and with
others and even with the recording.  They are tuneful, sophisticated, deep, revelatory, and just plain fun.
A couple of them will be sung at bedsides of people who are dying with the work of the Threshold Choir.
Bravo!!
1964557
This is not only an inspiring arrangement, it is beautiful and worshipful. This will be one of the long time classical arrangements. I love it!
8497
This is by far one of the best choral performances I have ever had the pleasure to listen to.  I am somewhat of a newcomer to the world of English anthems, but this recording has become my all-time favorite. The sound mixing is amazing: the baritones, altos, and trebles are always at their proper level and the pipe organ never overpowers.  The singing is not only flawless, but moving and inspiring.  Standout selections are "Insanae et vanae curae" by Haydn (I can hear the ancestral beginnings of Yes and Led Zep and have played this everyday for about 3 weeks), and "Bring Us, O Lord" by William Harris, a beautifully toned acapella arrangement (there are so many different sounds going on at the same time, you will swear you hear an instrument in the background, but it is only the pitch-perfect voices of the choristers ringing out complete 5 part harmonies)!

kc