Track Listing

1. Ave Maria...Virgo Serena
2. Canite Tuba in Sion
3. Quem Vidistis Pastores?
4. In Dulci Jubilo
5. Virgen Sancta
6. Serenissima una Noche
7. E La Don Don
8. R�u, R�u, Ch�
9. Ave Maria
10. Now Make We Joy
11. There Is No Rose
12. Nowell
13. Hymn to the Virgin
14. Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day
15. Joseph, Lieber Joseph Mein
16. Psallite Unigenito
17. Est N� le Divin Enfant
18. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
19. I Wonder as I Wander
20. Medley of Christmas Spirituals (Rise Up Shepherd and Follow/Behold That
21. Silent Night

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #84266 in Music
• Released on: 1992-12-15
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.com
The all-male, all-professional, full-time choir Chanticleer has developed a phenomenal following during the past couple of decades, and this Christmas disc contains some of the group's best-loved repertoire. Topping the list is Chanticleer's most-requested concert piece, Franz Biebl's intensely moving "Ave Maria," followed by Joseph Jenning's uninhibited, spirited "Medley of Christmas Spirituals." Along the way, we hear a wide variety of sacred works, from the 15th century ("There Is No Rose") to the 20th (Benjamin Britten's "A Hymn to the Virgin"). Due to its exclusive use of male voices--even sopranos--Chanticleer projects a unique sound that usually blends beautifully. Occasionally, however, due to the nature of the piece or arrangement, the balance overemphasizes the highest voices and the blend suffers. But overall, the singing is outstanding, the arrangements are tasteful, and the repertoire is unassailable. --David Vernier

Customer Reviews

Two great tracks - everything good
Biebl's Ave Maria is a gem of 20th century church music. Chanticleer does a superb job of this piece which is most powerful as a male only choir piece.

The medley of spirituals is another gem - the director has teased out of the Chanticleer singers the same spontaneity and musicianship that one hears in the Belleville A Capella choir - absolutely stunning interplay between soloist and choir.

Sublime Singing
The all male, A Capella choir Chanticleer includes songs of many styles on this recording, but one in particular has always shined the brightest for me. The "Ave Maria," written by Biebel, includes introductory passages of traditional Gregorian chant, which lead into lush choral passages of neo-classical style, richly colored by impressionism. The sound is sonorous, fluid, and radiant, and communicates a deep sense of spiritual fulfilment. The "Ave Maria" text has been set numerous times in history, but this rendition seems best to capture the delicate longing and pleading for intercession between humans and the Virgin Mary. It is a quiet comment on the human condition, as we turn to the heavens to find order both in our lives, and in the world around us. If there is a heaven, it must sound like this.

One of the most soothing compilations of music I own
I first owned a tape of this in 1993, and went out of my way to purchase the CD last summer. I never get tired of this CD. Of course, there is nothing more healing than the Biebl Ave Maria, which grows more and more beautiful everytime I listen to it. Chanticleer introduced this beautiful piece to me, I've had the good fortune of having it sung at my wedding, and being able to sing it last year in the Cathedrals, Abbeys and Basilicas of France! The rest of the CD is just as superb, and yes, those really are men singing those most amazing Soprano sections in Go Tell It On the Mountain. Other favorites are the Mouton that opens the CD, There Is No Rose, and O Come Emmanuel. A wonderful addition to anyone's Christmas CD collection, and one that you can play year round!