Let Us Sing Sweet Songs
World-premiere recording of music for choir, piano, organ, brass, harp, oboe and percussion by Bern Herbolsheimer
Our third CD showcases the remarkable choral writing of award-winning and internationally recognized Northwest composer Bern Herbolsheimer. Recorded at St. James Cathedral, this CD features works for a cappella choir and for choir with soloists, organ, percussion, brass, harp, piano and oboe. The repertoire includes Christmas music and settings of major sacred texts, ranging from the Te Deum to Blessed (the Beatitudes) and the Seven Last Words.
Performers:
| Opus 7 Vocal Ensemble | |
| Loren W. Pontén, conductor | |
| Joseph Adam, organ & piano | |
| Janet Putnam, oboe | |
| Naomi Kato, harp | |
| Rob Tucker, percussion | |
| Bern Herbolsheimer, piano | |
| St. James Cathedral Soloists | |
| Lisa Cardwell Pontén, soprano | |
| Kathryn Weld, mezzo-soprano | |
| Howard Fankhauser, tenor | |
| St. James Cathedral Brass | |
| Vince Green, trumpet | |
| David Hensler, trumpet | |
| Stan Jeffs, trombone | |
| Ed Phillips, tuba | |
Repertoire:
| Ave Regina (2001) | ||
| Maria Mannisto, soprano | ||
| “Gloria” from St. James Mass for Peace (1982) | ||
| Joseph Adam, organ | ||
| Vince Green & David Hensler, trumpet | ||
| Stan Jeffs, trombone; Ed Phillips, tuba | ||
| Rob Tucker, percussion | ||
| “Let us sing sweet songs” from St. James Mass for Peace (1982) |
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| Howard Fankhauser, tenor | ||
| Lisa Cardwell Pontén, soprano | ||
| Joseph Adam, organ | ||
| Janet Putnam, oboe | ||
| Rob Tucker, percussion | ||
| Thanksgiving Day, 1861: One Vacant Chair (2003) | ||
| Kathryn Weld, mezzo-soprano | ||
| “We Praise Thee O God” from Te Deum (1981) | ||
| Joseph Adam & Bern Herbolsheimer, piano | ||
| Rob Tucker, percussion | ||
| Blessed (1992) | ||
| Joseph Adam, piano | ||
| Seven Last Words (2002) | ||
| Father, forgive them | ||
| Amen dico tibi | ||
| Lisa Cardwell Pontén, soprano | ||
| Mulier, ecce filius tuus | ||
| Eli, lama sabatani? | ||
| Sitio | ||
| Dan Wilson, tenor | ||
| Consummatum est | ||
| Father, into thy hands | ||
| O come, O come (1999) | ||
| Lisa Cardwell Pontén, soprano | ||
| Naomi Kato, harp | ||
| Silly Shepherds (1999) | ||
| Naomi Kato, harp | ||
| Stille Nacht (2000) | ||
“The Opus 7 Vocal Ensemble—from Seattle’s St James Cathedral—are quite a discovery…They manage everything from earthy choral roars to icy, transparent purity. Needlepoint intonation and unearthly ensemble top the high heap of the choral strengths. Soloists and instrumentalists alike perform flawlessly. We get excellent sound from the heavenly acoustics of St James, plus lucid notes and full texts. Go ahead—treat your ears and souls to some new and refreshing choral magic. Much of it will rivet your attention like the sudden vision of Mt Rainier floating over Seattle’s urban seascapes on a rare clear day.”—Lindsay Koob, American Record Guide, January/February 2005
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